AboutMichael Higgins Expertise All questions pertaining to health insurance, whether group, individual/family, student, child-only, COBRA, HIPAA, Portability, dental. No expert knowledge in areas such as life insurance, disability, workman's compensation, auto, etc.
Experience 27 years as owner of health insurance agency, primarily dealing with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.
Education/Credentials College, Business Administration.
Question My boss was divorced at the end of last year, he has continued to carry his ex-wife on his health insurance plan and has not informed anyone of the divorce. Is this legal?
Answer Carrie:
It depends on whether it's a group plan or individual/family plan. On a group plan a divorced spouse may stay on the plan for up to 3 years through COBRA. If it's an individual plan your boss could simply have his ex-wife convert to her own policy with the company most likely. In either case I don't know if it would be considered fraud, but more importantly there's nothing to gain by not telling them, and possibly the risk of a claim being denied by not telling the insurance company. Of course, all of this depends on the state that he lives in and which insurance company he's insured with.
