A Veritas Guide to Health Insurance for Newlyweds

Just Married in the Tri-Cities?

Congratulations! Getting married is one of life’s most exciting milestones, filled with new adventures and shared dreams. As you combine your lives, you’ll also need to combine, or at least coordinate, your finances and benefits. One of the most important (and often confusing) decisions you’ll make is about health insurance.

The good news? Getting married is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). At Veritas Risk Management, we help couples understand that this means you don’t have to wait for the annual Open Enrollment period to make changes. You have a special window to get covered together, and making the right choice now can save you money and ensure you have the care you need as you start your future.

This guide will walk you through everything newlyweds in Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Greenville need to know.

Your First Task: Don’t Miss the Special Enrollment Period

When you get married, the government grants you a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is a limited time—usually 30 to 60 days from your wedding date—to make crucial updates to your health insurance.

During this window, you can:

• Add your new spouse to your existing employer-sponsored health plan.

• Leave your plan and join your spouse’s plan.

• If you both have individual plans through the Marketplace, you can switch to a new plan together.

• Enroll in a new plan if one or both of you were previously uninsured.

Important: If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period.

Comparing Your Options

As a newly married couple, you have a few scenarios to consider. Let’s break down the most common one: you both have access to a health plan through your respective employers. Should you get on one plan or keep two?

Our process at Veritas starts with a simple comparison of these key numbers:

1. Get the Plan Details: Ask both of your HR departments for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC).

2. Compare the Total Premiums: Calculate the total monthly cost for both scenarios. Is the cost of two separate “employee-only” plans cheaper than one “employee + spouse” plan?

3. Analyze the Deductibles & Out-of-Pocket Maximums: Look at these key numbers. A family plan with a shared deductible can be a huge advantage if one person has high medical costs.

4. Check the Doctor Networks: Are your preferred doctors in-network for both plans?

5. Review Prescription Coverage: Ensure your regular medications are covered. As your life evolves, bundling policies can lead to valuable multi-policy discounts.

Understanding Plan Types: HMO vs. PPO vs. HDHP

• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Typically lower premiums but requires you to use in-network doctors and get referrals.

• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): More flexibility to see out-of-network doctors without a referral, but usually has higher premiums.

• HDHP (High-Deductible Health Plan): Lower premiums in exchange for a higher deductible. These are the only plans compatible with a Health Savings Account (HSA).

The Newlywed Financial Power Tool: The Health Savings Account (HSA)

If you opt for an HDHP, opening a joint HSA is a smart way to save money. We have several articles written on this topic; see them here.

• Triple Tax Advantage: Contributions are tax-deductible, the money grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.

• Family Contribution: For 2025, married couples can contribute up to $8,550 to their family HSA.

• It’s Not “Use-It-or-Lose-It”: The money in your HSA is yours forever and rolls over year after year.

Let Veritas Be Your Guide in the Tri-Cities

Choosing a health plan is a major decision. As your local Johnson City insurance experts, the team at Veritas Risk Management acts as your independent insurance agent to help you compare all your options and make a decision that protects both your health and your financial future. As you plan for what’s next, whether that’s buying a house or a family, you might also consider life insurance and disability insurance.

Just married and not sure what to do next? Call Veritas Risk Management at 423-292-4142 or schedule your free health insurance review online today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Newlyweds

Do we have to get on the same plan now that we’re married? No, you are not required to be on the same plan. If you both have access to affordable employer-sponsored coverage, you can choose to keep your separate plans. The key is to compare the costs and benefits of all options during your Special Enrollment Period.

I was on my parents’ plan. What happens now? Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can legally remain on your parents’ health insurance plan until you turn 26, regardless of your marital status. However, getting married gives you the option to enroll in your spouse’s plan during your Special Enrollment Period. Many couples find this to be a more practical and financially sensible choice for their new family unit.

What documents do we need to provide? You will likely need to show proof of your marriage, such as your marriage certificate, and provide the wedding date to your HR department or the Marketplace to process the change. Be prepared with this information before you need to make a change.

Sources

• IRS.gov: Revenue Procedure 2024-25, providing the official 2025 contribution limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). (Link)

• HealthCare.gov: Official information on Qualifying Life Events and Special Enrollment Periods, including marriage. (Link)

• DOL.gov (U.S. Department of Labor): FAQs confirming that married children can remain on a parent’s health plan until age 26 under the ACA. (Link)