Recently, the government stated that insurers must offer the same health coverage options to same-sex couples. Thus, same- sex couples can now purchase family health policies. The new insurance guidelines have been posted on the Department of Health and Human Services web page. Now, same-sex couples that are legally married in any of the 17 states that legalize same-sex marriage can get equal access to spousal coverage. However, the policy does not extend to civil unions. The new guidelines just clarify existing federal rules. Insurers must bring their policies into compliance by January 1, 2015.
See Michelle Andrews, Gay Couples Entitled To Equal Family Health Coverage, Fed Says, NPR, Mar. 15, 2014.
Special thanks to Laura Galvan (Attorney, San Antonio, Texas) for bringing this article to my attention.
