Health Insurance Options for Domestic Violence Survivors
Key takeaways:
You do not have to stay in an abusive situation to have health insurance.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers health insurance options for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Depending on your state and your insurance plan, you may be able to convert your private health insurance to a separate plan for yourself and your children.
If you are experiencing violence from a partner, a relative, or in your home, you will be concerned about your health and safety.
If you need help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) to find resources in your area.
Health insurance is an avenue for support. You may be concerned about health insurance if your coverage is linked to someone who has abused you. You do not have to stay in an abusive situation to have health insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers special health insurance options for adults and children who have experienced domestic violence. Those options may include special savings on your plan, if you qualify.
Prescription Savings Are Just the Beginning
See what other benefits you qualify for—from cashback cards to cheaper insurance.
Domestic violence has many forms. They include:
Interpersonal violence
Family violence
Intimate partner violence
Dating violence
You may experience physical violence or sexual violence. You may have had psychological abuse. Threats of any of these actions also are considered domestic violence.
Domestic violence survivors can’t be charged more for health coverage or denied health coverage based on their experience with abuse.
Below, we explore what you need to know about health insurance in these situations.
Do you lose your health insurance coverage if you escape domestic violence?
You usually do not lose your health insurance if you leave a domestic violence situation. You have options for emergency coverage for you and your children.
You also may want to take additional steps to keep your information away from someone who is abusive if you are covered by their health insurance. We will talk more about changing your contact information later.
How does the ACA’s special enrollment period work for survivors of domestic violence?
The Affordable Care Act offers a special enrollment period for survivors of domestic violence and extends children’s Medicaid coverage to dependents. You do not need to show medical or legal records to qualify for coverage. You also do not need to be married to the person who has abused you to qualify.
This special enrollment period is available if you don’t have a current health insurance plan. This also helps people who receive coverage under an abusive person’s health plan to have a separate plan. This will help you maintain independence and privacy without losing access to healthcare.
Usually, open enrollment for the ACA marketplace is at the end of a calendar year. If you have experienced domestic violence, you have a qualifying life event that enables you to enroll in a health plan at any time. If you qualify for this special enrollment period, you’ll have 60 days to sign up for a marketplace plan.
You can enroll in a health plan by contacting the Marketplace Call Center at 800-318-2596. Be sure to tell the representative that you are calling about the special enrollment period for people who have experienced domestic violence. If you are married to the person who is abusing you, you can say you are unmarried without fear of penalty. Then, depending on your income, you may qualify for a premium tax credit and other savings on a marketplace plan. You also may qualify for Medicaid.
It’s important to note that you must call and talk to a representative about this special enrollment period. You cannot apply online.
Does the ACA extend Medicaid coverage to dependents of domestic violence survivors?
Yes. As mentioned earlier, the dependents of domestic violence survivors may qualify for children’s Medicaid coverage. When you call the Marketplace Call Center about the special enrollment period, mention that you have children. The representative will explain how you can access coverage for your children through your state Medicaid program. You should be able to apply for your coverage and coverage for your children on the same application.
Do private health insurance plans also have provisions for domestic violence survivors?
Sometimes. Under the ACA, many private health insurance plans offer domestic violence screenings and counseling as preventive care benefits. That means you can access services without out-of-pocket costs.
In some states, domestic violence can be grounds for someone covered by a policy to receive claims information at an alternative email or mailing address. Contact your health plan and ask about available benefits.
You also may be able to get your own private insurance plan separate from the policyholder. We talk about that more in the next section.
Will you have to do anything new or different with your health insurance when seeking care?
Maybe. In some states, a restraining order, judgment of legal separation, or other judge’s order will allow you to get a separate health insurance plan if you are not the policyholder.
For instance, if you have a judgment of legal separation in Louisiana, you can convert a private health insurance plan to a separate policy for you and your children.
WomensLaw.org has a state-by-state explanation of laws if you experience domestic violence. This information is for all survivors of domestic violence, regardless of gender.
Can you set up claims information to be delivered to an alternative address?
Yes. Contact your health insurance plan to explain that your claim information needs to be confidential and provide an alternate mailing address. If you communicate with the health insurance plan via email, provide another email address.
You can change the contact information for yourself and your dependents.
What resources are available to help domestic violence survivors with their health insurance?
The Affordable Care Act marketplace is available to help you with your health insurance. Depending on your situation, you could be offered several options. They include, but are not limited to:
A special enrollment period health plan from the national marketplace
A special enrollment period health plan from your state marketplace, if there is one where you live
Medicaid enrollment
Children’s Medicaid enrollment for your dependents
The bottom line
You don’t have to lose health insurance coverage when you leave an abusive situation. Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your children can qualify for a special enrollment period as survivors of domestic violence. You may qualify for Medicaid and your children may be eligible for children’s Medicaid.
Depending on your state and health plan, you may be able to convert private health insurance to a policy separate from your abuser. If you need help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233).
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2019). Assisting victims of domestic violence.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Contact us.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Preventive care benefits for women.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Qualifying life event.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Special enrollment periods for complex issues.
National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Here for you.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Watch for warning signs of relationship violence.
WomensLaw.org. (n.d.). Legal information.
WomensLaw.org. (n.d.). Legal information: Louisiana.
