Finding domestic partner health insurance coverage just got easier

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released another tool that allows LGBT families to compare health plans based on whether they cover same-sex partners. This simple tool will allow LGBT families to search for health plans that cover their entire family, which will create healthier families and give LGBT consumers the information they need to make informed decisions about which health insurance option provides the best and most affordable coverage for their family.

We blogged about a similar tool back in November, when HHS unveiled a tool for small businesses shopping for employer-based health plans to provide to their employees, which included information about whether the plan covers same-sex partners. The tool HHS unveiled today has many of the same features as the small-business insurance tool, but with the important difference that you, as an individual, can shop for plans that cover your whole family.

So, here is how it works. Go to www.healthcare.gov and click on the tab to “Find Insurance Options.” Input the necessary information, such as your state of residence, age, and general medical needs. When the search option reveals available plans, the toolbar on the left side allows you to narrow the plan options by a variety of factors, including same-sex coverage and domestic partner coverage.

Once you narrow your results by same-sex coverage, shop for the plan that best fits the needs of you and your family. It’s as simple as that. And the health outcomes and cost-savings for you and your family can be substantial. This isn’t the end of the road. The New Beginning Initiative, a coalition of organizations convened by the Task Force working to secure concrete federal administrative agency policies that benefit the lives of LGBT people and families, will continue to work with HHS to ensure that LGBT people have access to affordable, comprehensive, culturally competent health care.

But, this is an important step in the right direction, ensuring that LGBT people and families have more information when purchasing health plans. And it is another example of the ways that HHS is showing a real commitment to serving LGBT people and families