There are multiple benefits extended to married couples when it comes to health care, such as the ability to visit the spouse in a hospital. Alternatively, if you are single, divorced, or in a domestic partnership, it’s normally essential to obtain a Hospital Visitation Authorization to offer legal authorization for someone who isn’t your next of kin to see you in the hospital.
When married, each spouse has the ability to make decisions about the health care of the other spouse if the spouse becomes incapacitated, though a Living Will is still recommended so that each spouse is clear about the other spouse’s wishes if they become incapacitated.
If you’re getting divorced or you’ve been widowed, it’s doubly important to create a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney to communicate your preferences for medical care and to appoint someone trusted to make these decisions for you if you were to become incapacitated.
Another critical factor to consider when changing marital status is the possibility of losing eligibility for the other spouse’s employer-sponsored health insurance. If you are divorcing, your coverage under your ex-spouse’s employer-provided health insurance may stop, therefore it is critical to speak with your health insurance provider ahead of time so you are not left unprotected.