There are many gay couples out there living together and not taking advantage of the opportunity to improve their health care coverage. Most States in the country have adopted Domestic Partnerships where two persons of the same-sex can declare themselves as a legal binding couple similar to a civil marriage. California provides the most liberal and defined law regarding Domestic Partnerships in the country. Such partnerships can assist same-sex couples an opportunity to increase a protective cushion to health care coverage.

Domestic Partnerships are formalized by registration through the State of California. Forms are available on-line, located on the State government web page. I checked several other nearby States and found similar forms and guidelines. Domestic Partnerships are formed when two same-sex persons meet the mandated guidelines of the State in which you reside. Normally, the two most important requirements are living under the same residence and being of the same sex. There may also be an exception where two opposite sex persons living together to file as Domestic Partners. In California, opposite sex persons can register if one or both persons are over 62 years of age. Consult your States guidelines to see if you meet the requirements for Domestic Partnership. In California, you can take the registration form to a local city government office and have a certificate within an hour.

Improving Health Care Coverage:

Before my partner and I registered as Domestic Partners, we were paying for seperate health care coverage offered by our employment. He was paying $150.00 a month out of his salary and had to meet $2500.00 in deductables prior to a 80/20 coverage. I was paying under $100.00 a month from my salary and had to meet $1000.00 in deductables prior to 100% coverage on health care bills. Multiply our monthly premium costs and it not hard to understand we were paying considerable money for health care coverage.

Once we registered as Domestic Partners, we began to investigate our options for reducing our costs. Both of our companies offered insurance options for Domestic Partners and decided that I cover him under my policy. The change in cost for the two of us averaged a $43.00 increase to what I was already paying as a single person. My partner opted out of his companys' plan which saved him $1800.00 per year. He now has considerably better coverage and less to pay in deductables if and when the need should arise.

I recommend to all Domestic Partners to look at what you are currently paying for health care and check to see if you too can reduce your costs and improve your personal health care coverage.

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