This Monday, March 31, is the deadline for enrolling in health insurance through the marketplaces at Healthcare.gov. Did you know that insurance providers in the marketplace are prohibited from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity? And that coverage for same-sex partners is available in many states (and where it is not, families are eligible for tax credits to cover the costs of a plan)?
For more LGBT-specific information on purchasing health insurance through these marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, see the Family Equality Council’s very useful page on the subject. The page includes links to the downloadable guide, “The Affordable Care Act and LGBT Families: Everything You Need to Know” (from Family Equality and the Center for American Progress) and “Where to Start, What to Ask: A Guide for LGBT People Choosing Health Care Plans” (from a coalition of organizations led by Strong Families). Another good site for LGBT-specific information is Out2Enroll.
Personally, I dislike insurance paperwork almost as much as tax forms. But taking the time to do it sure beats finding myself — or my spouse or child — with medical needs and no coverage.
