For the "separation" period prior to divorce, it is imperative that if your stbx HAS health insurance which covers you and any minor children, that your attorney fight to have that kept exactly as it is. You will have the option of staying on any group coverage through his employer AFTER the divorce is final. I believe it varies from state to state, but in Maryland, I was able to remain on the policy for a full three years post divorce. Of course, I had to pay for it -- and it was substantially more than he paid as an employee -- but it was truly a Cadillac policy (no deductibles and included dental insurance) so it was worth it.

I am just now trying to wade through the muck of new health insurance although I am still covered by a plan which I got on in Maryland in 2010. I have moved to Florida and am reeling at the cost of what comparable coverage will be here compared to Maryland. Thinking of setting up a "domicile" address in North Carolina if that what it takes to get it down to a manageable figure. I think it's the number of OLD PEOPLE in Florida that is making the cost so high down here (try $800+ a month!).

There ARE subsidies available and the income parameters are a lot more liberal than ever before, but wouldn't you know -- following the most recent crash in the stock market, my investments have performed extremely well this past year which may blow me out of the subsidy range.

While I agree with the government's mandate that all citizens have health insurance, I'm not sure they factored in how expensive it's going to be. For years, the burning question has been "do I eat or do I have health insurance?" and that's why so many people went uncovered. But once again, the question is "do I eat or do I have health insurance?" so nothing has really changed. I think what needs to happen is that the government put CONTROLS ON THE COST OF HEALTH CARE! These hospitals are making money hand over fist and in this Cowgirl's mind, they are providing a necessary service! Bring down the cost of NECESSARY health services and make the unnecessary services more expensive (i.e., cosmetic surgery). It's a proven fact that when PREVENTIVE health care services are free or low cost, people utilize them which most often pre-empts the need for emergency services and long, involved treatment!

Just my two cents.

I am thinking go to your doctor office or offices and have them pull up how much you paid over the last two years then average that.
I was covered my my ex's insurance during the divorce but it did me little good since it was blue cross blue shield of Fl and I was in Tn. For that reason if I needed anything that was short of a emergency id have to travel back to Fl every time I needed medical care. Since the divorce I have been forced to use the health dept here which is good for preventive care and med's like BP and diabetes medicine but forget it if you have the flu or anything like that.
So far as the affordable care act goes I have been looking at it and believe it or not I make to little$$ for help so im thinking of having my job not be under the table so I can have that extra thousand to get the affordable care insurance. If I can get the extra $$ I need to get on a plan they even have one for zero, of course that covers very little but hey it is free! They have many others for all price ranges so I will get on it because for me it looks like a win win!
I am kinda in a hurry hope that helped.

Call your h's HR and tell them you are THINKING about divorcing and you want to know how much the cobra health insurance will cost you monthly. Then you figure that amount into your agreement. Just know that the monthly pymts will be retroactive to the date of the divorce or settlement so you will get a bill covering several months coverage. Cobra is under the dept of labor. Since it is federal you will have coverage for three years. You will be able to change plans at yearly open enrollment.

You should be able to estimate your meds dental and copays. Then add a bit more to that total.