Getting married can have a number of benefits aside from the love and companionship of another person over the long term. A health insurance policy through an employer or insurance agent that covers both parties in a marriage can help not only to save money, but married health insurance can provide more security for both partners in a marriage – provided they do their research and find a quote that works best for them. When it comes to choosing a health insurance policy for a married couple, there are a number of things that should be taken into consideration.

First, couples must look at whether it is to their benefit to use employer-sponsored health care or to purchase a plan on their own. Often, employers will extend their coverage to spouses, and in some respects are mandated to do so. Basic coverage for an employee will also come with some coverage for a spouse, and legislation like COBRA covers not only employees that are laid off and still need health coverage, but their spouses as well. The other option for couples is to consider a plan through a private insurance company, which can provide them with a shared annual maximum for coverage and often access to more specialized services than an employer plan could provide.

Next, married couples must also consider the upcoming impact of health care reform being debated by Congress. The current version of the Democrats' health care plan has married couples potentially paying more for their insurance – up to $2,000 more per year, thanks to the way that subsidized health care will work. When evaluated together, a couple that each makes $25,000 per year will be assessed as making $50,000 as a household, meaning that the maximum they can pay per year for subsidized health care will increase. This was done in order to maintain equity with single-parent households, as assessing individually rather than by household could lead to those without a spouse paying far more than they should. It is important to note that this potential cost increase does not apply to employer health care, only to care that is purchased under exchanges created in the new legislation.

Married health insurance can offer couples a great pool from which to draw resources if the right choice is made. Often, an employer can provide for both members in a marriage, and when employer coverages are combined a couple can pay very little overall. Private health care is also an option, and can offer married couples access to a range of facilities, along with specialized services that are not always covered under basic plans employers will provide.