Most people going through a divorce know about (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) COBRA, the government program that guarantees continued health coverage to spouses and dependent children after divorce. However, the COBRA program is temporary, and it isn't the only option for getting health insurance after divorce. Here are two more options to evaluate:

Negotiate For Coverage during the Divorce

In some states, you can negotiate for continued health insurance coverage as part of your divorce settlement. The divorce agreement should contain these details just as it contains details of your alimony or child support obligations. For example, the divorce agreement should cover who will pay for future increases in premiums or what happens if your spouse loses their coverage after losing their job.

The main advantage here is that you may not have to pay anything for the coverage. Since a divorce agreement is legally binding, your spouse cannot change their mind and stop your coverage; they must go to court for any potential modification. Also, it will continue for as long as stipulated in the agreement. Unfortunately, it doesn't give you the freedom to choose your provider; you must abide by the agreement approved by the court

Sign Up With Your Employer

If you are employed, sign up for your employer's health insurance. Most companies have regular opening periods within which employees can purchase health insurance. However, they usually make exceptions for those who have lost their coverage elsewhere, so you may be able to sign up outside the normal enrollment period.

Here are some of the advantages of employer-based health insurance:

• Your employer is likely to be responsible for a portion (or the entire) premiums.
• Health insurers offer group discounts to employers that translate to lower premiums for employees.
• It's easy to find coverage through an employer (especially if the group has a large number of employees) if you have preexisting conditions.

However, it also has disadvantages that include:

• Your employer makes all the decisions; you can't decide the insurer.
• Even though the premiums may be low, they may not be as low as you would get from private plans if you are young and healthy.

Your divorce lawyer may be able to help talk you through the available options. Just like other major decisions you have to make during a divorce, listening to the attorney's advice will help you choose something with real benefits and avoid making a purely emotional decision. Also, consider contacting insurance agents in your area for advice, like one from the Taylor Insurance Agencies.