Same-sex Couples in US can Now Access Health Insurance

Gay and lesbian couples can now search specifically for health plans that include coverage for their domestic partners through an improved filter in HealthCare.gov, said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week. This has been made possible by ‘Health Plan Finder’ on HealthCare.gov, which allows LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) health insurance consumers to compare the health plans in terms of cost sharing and benefit choices, and choose the best option to meet their needs.

‘Last year, as part of our commitment to work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and be more responsive to the needs of these populations, we promised to improve the Health Plan Finder tool to give these individuals the ability to search for health plans that provide same-sex partner benefits,’ said Secretary Sebelius. ‘Today we have delivered on that promise.’

HealthCare.gov also has regular features, like sorting based on enrollment, out-of-pocket expenses or other basic categories, so that customers who need information on same-sex partner coverage can access it.

Businesses that want to cover their same-sex employees can also check out the coverage offered. Reports said last year that a part of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community in the US was not being able to access health insurance. This included LGTB people who didn’t have coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, or their employer.



Source-Medindia