posted on June 30, 2004 06:33:11 AM new
Saying 'I do' — for a health plan
With medical costs rising, gaining access to benefits is a factor in some couples' decisions to wed.
By Daniel Costello
Special to The Times
Published June 28, 2004
Tamra Crume had little intention of marrying again. She tried it once before, in her early 20s, and thought the whole idea was outdated, oppressive, unnecessary.
But there they were last New Year's Eve, she in her short sleeve, off-the-rack sea-green dress, her partner of a dozen years, Keith, in a gray suit from the closet, driving 45 minutes to a suburban Maryland courthouse to say "I do." Why the sudden change of heart?
"I needed health insurance," says the 38-year-old catering manager, who was so nonchalant about her nuptials she bought a cheap disposable camera for pictures on the way. She took one photo: It came out fuzzy and cropped her at the knees.
Crume had moved from Oregon to Washington, D.C., two years ago and couldn't find work. Her doctor and prescription bills were running several hundred dollars a month. Her boyfriend's generous government insurance benefits looked more and more attractive.
"I figured it made more sense to pay the money to get married rather than keep paying the bills," she says.
Love and marriage may go together like a horse and carriage, but for some couples a dance down the aisle these days may have more to do with dollars and cents. Although no one keeps statistics on how many couples marry each year to gain access to health benefits, there are signs the arrangements are growing among people who can't afford medical coverage and those struggling under the burden of rising insurance premiums.
Advertisements on the New York City subway this month by a group promoting affordable health insurance read, "Get Married for Love, Not Health Insurance." Internet chat rooms are filled with people communing about the benefits of marrying for health benefits and trading tips on how to do it right. (Fees for marriage licenses and other costs can vary considerably depending on where people get married.) Some patient advocacy groups, including the American Diabetes Assn. and the American Cancer Society, say a small but growing number of seriously ill people are using marriage as a last resort to deal with potentially crippling medical bills.
The recent legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts also could lead more couples to marry for medical benefits. Last month, town managers in Springfield, Mass., stopped offering domestic partner benefits to unmarried couples and gave them 90 days to marry if they want to keep their insurance benefits. Other Massachusetts employers, including Boston College and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, are ending partner benefits by the end of the year.
Unlike the 1990 movie "Green Card," in which two strangers marry so one can stay in the country and then later fall in love, most couples who marry for insurance reasons have been together for years. Many explicitly didn't want to get married — or at least had not planned to wed so soon. Occasionally, friends marry friends or a single parent with a sick child and mounting medical bills finds someone to marry and agrees to pay the extra insurance costs.
Experts say those marrying for health insurance should be careful. Although the long-maligned "marriage tax" has been reduced in recent years, financial experts say some couples may still pay significantly more in income tax once they're married. What, too, if love ever wilts? Divorce lawyers recommend couples marrying explicitly for insurance reasons have a prenuptial agreement in case the relationship sours down the road.
Drew Tipson and his wife, Emma Brooks, had been in a relationship for years but didn't consider marriage until last year, when Tipson began having intense pain in his neck and head, which doctors still haven't explained. Tipson, 26, is a freelance worker for a Manhattan law firm and doesn't qualify for health insurance. Brooks, a 25-year-old medical student, has health insurance, but her plan doesn't cover unmarried domestic partners unless they are gay.
So, just weeks after telling their parents they probably would never legally marry, the two families found themselves together at a New York City courthouse during Tipson's lunch break. The 10-minute civil ceremony wasn't the wedding his parents might have imagined.
"The most tragically bored woman in history read out the ceremony script in a nondescript room that could have been a police interrogation chamber," he says. Afterward, "the two of us left and headed down different subways to go back to work. I think my parents were left standing there thinking, 'What in the heck just happened?' "
People with disabilities or facing life-threatening illnesses face higher stakes. John Bennett, 34, of Cincinnati married his longtime partner two years ago. She has multiple sclerosis and lost her insurance after finishing graduate school in 2001. Without dual coverage, Bennett says, the couple could face financial ruin if his wife has another flare-up of her MS, which last happened three years ago. She already filed for bankruptcy protection after she was first diagnosed a decade ago and didn't have insurance.
The pair has saved thousands of dollars in insurance costs so far. It now costs $200 a month to insure them both, instead of the roughly $500 a month that Bennett's wife would pay just to cover herself, because of her preexisting condition. "We needed a safety net," he says.
According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy group based in Menlo Park, Calif., health insurance premiums rose 13.9% last year, the third consecutive year of double-digit increases. The average cost of coverage for a family of four is $9,100 per year, and the average individual insurance plan runs $3,400 a year. Considering that an estimated 44% of Americans lack health insurance, it's easy to see why some people might turn to marriage to get access to insurance.
Kathleen Stoll, director of health policy at Families USA, a Washington, D.C.-based health consumer group, says the rising cost of health insurance is increasingly affecting people's lifestyle and career decisions: having more children, where to live, changing jobs or going back to school. She says it's not uncommon for couples to divorce so one can qualify for coverage through Medicaid.
"Getting married for insurance may sound silly," she says, "but it's no joking matter. It's a serious example of just how difficult getting affordable health insurance is for most people."
Although companies are not required to offer employees health insurance, if they do they must cover an employee's spouse no matter his or her medical history. But a growing list of employers, from Boeing Co. to the University of California system, have recently started asking employees to pay significantly more if they want to cover family members.
In most states, common law marriages are of little use because insurers typically won't include a common law spouse on an employee's health plan.
Dave Hennings, a spokesman for the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Assn. in Washington, D.C., says it's unlikely insurers would deny coverage to anyone who marries for insurance benefits. "I think most people would agree this doesn't rise to the level of fraud," he says.
There are proven advantages to tying the knot. For example, studies show married couples live longer than those who only live together. Married couples also benefit from visitation rights at hospitals and the ability to will a partner an estate without paying capital gains tax.
Still, couples who married solely or largely for medical benefits don't always tell their families or friends that they are married — or why they married. Many don't wear rings, take each other's names or go on honeymoons. Some keep their marriage under wraps because they worry that others might minimize their relationship if they knew the reason for the wedding, or that family members might get angry.
"This is our dark secret," says Bennett, who says he and his wife have mentioned their marriage only twice, to their doctor and to his company's human resources manager. Recently, he had to look at their marriage license to remember their wedding date.
Marijah Sroczynski and Paul Adams of Orange, N.J., married five years ago so he could work as a freelance sound engineer in New York theaters, a job that doesn't provide insurance. She rarely mentions she's married.
Adams, however, sometimes jokes about his marriage to his uninsured friends in the theater world. "He loves to pull out his insurance card when they are complaining about not having insurance," Sroczynski says. "He tells them it's the best reason to get married."
Re-defeat Bush
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June is Gay Pride Month
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All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.
Change is constant. The history of mankind is about change. One set of beliefs is pushed aside by a new set. The old order is swept away by the new. If people become attached to the old order, they see their best interest in defending it. They become the losers. They become the old order and in turn are vulnerable. People who belong to the new order are winners.
James A Belaco & Ralph C. Stayer
posted on June 30, 2004 08:10:02 AM new
Quiet the contrary, twelve
If you conservatives keep saying people get married out of love this article disproves that fact. Straight couples are getting married so they can have health benefits. They are not doing it for love or to pro-create.
Since marriage is no longer about love or kids, but rather for tax benefits gays do have the right to marry as this is what we are fighting for - Equality.
Re-defeat Bush
------------------------------
June is Gay Pride Month
------------------------------
All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.
Change is constant. The history of mankind is about change. One set of beliefs is pushed aside by a new set. The old order is swept away by the new. If people become attached to the old order, they see their best interest in defending it. They become the losers. They become the old order and in turn are vulnerable. People who belong to the new order are winners.
James A Belaco & Ralph C. Stayer
posted on June 30, 2004 04:33:57 PM newThe real reason for marriage?
Read my sig line
"The natural family is a man and woman bound in a lifelong covenant of marriage for the purposes of:
*the continuation of the human species,
*the rearing of children,
*the regulation of sexuality,
*the provision of mutual support and protection,
*the creation of an altruistic domestic economy, and
*the maintenance of bonds between the generations."
posted on June 30, 2004 04:46:37 PM new
You've got way too much going on in the signature line area, Bear.
Logan, some posters here are fossils and equate change and moving forward to devil's work. I doubt all their neurons are firing properly so take what they say with a grain of salt.
posted on June 30, 2004 05:35:35 PM new
Twelve: All change is not good kraft, who are you to decide that?
I suppose you rather live in the stone age where the manbeast like you rules and drags his woman around by the hair. Ug me man, you woman you need to listen to me. I suppose you also want to bring back slavery, exclude blacks and women from voting, tell women they can not have an abortion and should stay home and clean?
You reasoning is no different than the men at country clubs that exclude women. You are trying to keep your privledge to yourself. You sound like a child. It is my toy and you can not have it. Grow up. This is the 21st century and not everything is the way it was on "All in the Family".
Re-defeat Bush
------------------------------
June is Gay Pride Month
------------------------------
All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.
Change is constant. The history of mankind is about change. One set of beliefs is pushed aside by a new set. The old order is swept away by the new. If people become attached to the old order, they see their best interest in defending it. They become the losers. They become the old order and in turn are vulnerable. People who belong to the new order are winners.
James A Belaco & Ralph C. Stayer
posted on June 30, 2004 05:37:44 PM new
Where did I say "all" change, Twelve? Accepting another person without conditions is the change we all need to seek. If you don't agree with that part, you're living in the past.
posted on June 30, 2004 06:36:38 PM new
What's inferior Twelve, is your inability to accept other people as they are while wanting others to accept you as you are.
And who am I to decide what? Whether you're a fossil or can't handle change?
posted on June 30, 2004 07:26:36 PM new
KD: Logan, some posters here are fossils and equate change and moving forward to devil's work.
I am aware of that. Some just like being Archie Bunker. If they are not a white working male, everyone else is inferior in their mind and should be treated as garbage. They still believe the white male is the majority in this country. They are wrong.
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
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All Things Just Keep Getting Better
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posted on July 1, 2004 07:17:42 AM new
Twelve, you need to read better.
I said you want to bring back slavery, exclude blacks and women from voting, tell women they can not have an abortion and should stay home and clean?
You said : Right logansdad, considering my stance is very pro civil rights of those that deserve it, skin color is not a choice
So if I understand you, You prefer blacks being treated as slaves and women staying home to cook and clean for you?? Is this what you meant, because it is what you said.
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
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All Things Just Keep Getting Better
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We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union....
.....one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
posted on July 1, 2004 07:41:52 AM newRight logansdad, considering my stance is very pro civil rights of those that deserve it, skin color is not a choice... lifestyle is
Homosexual "lifrstyle" is no more a choice than being straight is a choice.
Human sexuality is hard wired in from birth.
I have yet to hear any heterosexual say that they choose to be attracted to the opposite sex.
posted on July 1, 2004 01:48:09 PM new
Homosexuality is not a civil rights issue... and is insulting to those who really support the civil rights movement.
Look again twelve. You need to brush up on your history
Civil rights is defined as: The rights belonging to an individual by virtue of citizenship, especially the fundamental freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and by subsequent acts of Congress, including civil liberties, due process, equal protection of the laws, and freedom from discrimination.
The 13th amendment says: Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction
The 14th amendment says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
You have said marriage is a privilege time and time again. What part of the 14th amendment is not clear to you? Since gays are being discrimianted against when it comes to jobs, housing, marriage and benefits it does fall under the 14th amendment.
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
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All Things Just Keep Getting Better
------------------------------
We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union....
.....one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
posted on July 2, 2004 08:13:41 AM newLMAO... not even close Logansdad... that was not written with homosexuals in mind...
It wasn't written with women in mind either, nor handicap persons, nor Asians, nor Native Americans, nor racial desegregation, nor interracial marriage.
But guess what ? The US Supreme says that it applies to all of them by its plain language and intent.
posted on July 2, 2004 08:49:19 AM new
i have a question on getting a bigger ss check ?
If a man/woman was married to xyz for 10 years or more and at 62 years old,he is not mariied and his ex spouse is at least 62.he can choose between his own ss payment or part of hers,whichever is bigger.
does that apply to common law marriage ??
or just plain living together for 10 years??
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on July 2, 2004 10:42:47 AM new
LMAO... not even close Logansdad... that was not written with homosexuals in mind.
Once again twelve you want laws written so they agree with your agenda/views/way of life. If they do not agree with your standard of living then the laws are no good.
If you lived in the stone age, you would have fit in perfectly.
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
------------------------------
All Things Just Keep Getting Better
------------------------------
We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union....
.....one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
posted on July 2, 2004 09:03:22 PM new
reamond, we don't "choose" because all humans are wired for attraction to the opposite sex, homosexuals choose to mate with the same sex...
posted on July 3, 2004 03:29:03 AM new
Do I read logansdad's second post correctly? Is that reasoning for a back door to marriage? If there is a back door to marriage it should be an exit only. But then you probably try to come in the out door frequently.
_____________
You know...the best way to defeat a liberal is to let them speak.
posted on July 3, 2004 11:32:59 AM new
park, it is just like the right. If you don't like facing the truth, make fun of the little guy. The facts are that the straight community are destroying "the sanctity of marriage" and my original post proves it.
You just can't handle the truth.
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
------------------------------
All Things Just Keep Getting Better
------------------------------
We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union....
.....one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
posted on July 3, 2004 11:56:05 AM new
in some cultures,marriage is one way to have sex with a nice girl.
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on July 3, 2004 08:29:08 PM new
"reamond, we don't "choose" because all humans are wired for attraction to the opposite sex, homosexuals choose to mate with the same sex..."
Let's me get this "straight, pun intended; We are all wired for heterosexuality, but homesexuals intentionally overcome this to be homosexuals ?
You're nuts, absolutely nuts. I have never heard of a more convoluted idiotic proposition in my life.
posted on July 3, 2004 09:45:33 PM new
I don't get it. Everyone is hard wired to be heterosexual, but some of us get to choose, and the ones who do get to choose, choose to be gay. Or do we all have a choice, and some of us choose gay? I don't remember choosing to be straight, I just always have been. Those pesky gays, they get all the breaks
___________________________________
Belief? What do I believe in? I believe in sun. In rock. In the dogma of the sun and the doctrine of the rock. I believe in blood, fire, woman, rivers, eagles, storms, drums, flutes, banjos, and broom-tailed horses....
Edward Abbey
posted on July 4, 2004 05:14:09 AM new
since AIDS outbreak,the doctors and researcher in NYC have been able to study the results of autopsy of gay AIDS patients and found something different in their brain,it is not exactly the same as a straight man.
Some men are born gay,they have always been attracted to the same sex,same with lesbian.
once upon a time,long ,long long time ago,we were all bisexual with both male and female sexual attributes,take a look at your body??
back in the 80s or 90s??,an Indian man checked into the hospital as he did not feel well,doctors found he was growing a uterus and operated on him,he was in his 30's.
i wonder if the balance of male and female hormones make some difference,what if women get more testatorene and men get more estrogen?? besides physical changes,will there be mental changes??
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
[ edited by stopwhining on Jul 4, 2004 05:15 AM ]
