HER EMPOWERED DIVORCE PODCAST 

HOST: Beverly Price, Divorce, Empowerment and Pre-Mediation Coach

GUEST: Bailey Artis, Insurance Agent

SUMMARY:

On this episode of Her Empowered Divorce, we’re solving the dilemma of what to do about health insurance during/after a divorce. Host Beverly Price’s guest is Bailey Artis, an insurance agent with Charter Financial Group of Carolina. Having helped Beverly solve her own health insurance dilemma, we know Bailey is someone you can trust to guide you through this stressful time in life. She knows every step of the process, every option you have, and she’ll even choose a plan for you if you’re too overwhelmed.

“One thing that I’m really good at is taking [stress and overwhelm] off my client’s plate,” Bailey says. Listen in to learn the various health insurance options you have as a divorcing/divorced woman and the simple action steps you can take to get yourself (and your kids) covered at an affordable cost.

Health insurance is a huge financial decision, but whether you’re employed, over 65 and on Medicare, or younger and looking for private insurance, you have lots of options and guidance at your disposal. “You come to me saying I’m getting divorced, I need insurance, and I will handle it from there,” Bailey says. “You don’t need a spouse to do it, you can do it on your own.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

·      You Have Options:

o  COBRA – The exact same coverage, but the employer doesn’t pay their match (you pay double).

o  The Marketplace – Go to healthcare.gov to find individual health insurance plans.

o  Employer’s Group Plan: If you’re working for a company that offers insurance, opt in!

·      Your Kids Stay Protected: Children under 26 can remain a dependent on your spouse’s insurance policy or they can switch to yours.

·      Medicare: When and how do I apply for Medicare after a divorce? Is my Medicare eligibility affected if I get divorced?

·      Affordability: What do I do if I can’t afford COBRA? How affordable is it to insure children? Does Bailey charge for her services? (Spoiler: She’s free of charge!)

·      Overcoming Financial Overwhelm & Shame: How to approach finances and insurance when it’s easily overwhelming + Bailey’s best advice

·      Dealing With the Emotions & Stress of Divorce: How Bailey helps divorced women through the stress and overwhelm of choosing a health insurance plan.

·      The Scariest Part of Navigating Health Insurance & Divorce:

o  “To think that all this time, I’ve been covered and I’ve never had to worry about health insurance.” Do you resonate?

o  The stipulations of health insurance are expensive and you can be penalized for not having it.

·      Word to the Wise: Don’t Worry, You Can Do This!

o  You have affordable options.

o  You can be independently on your own health insurance policy.

o  The lower your income, the more options you have! Even if you have high income, there are subsidies that can help lower monthly costs.

o  There’s nothing shameful about being on Medicaid. Take the Medicaid if you’re eligible for it!

·      Top Three Tips for Women in the Midst of Divorce:

o  #1: Don’t stress or worry about health insurance. You are going to be covered and it’s going to be affordable.

o  #2: You don’t need a spouse to do it, you can do it on your own.

o  #3: Gather your financial information and make sure you’re in a good financial position first. Get the help you qualify for to get yourself where you need to be, then contact Bailey!

NOTABLE QUOTES:

·      “You don’t need a spouse to do it, you can do it on your own.” (Bailey)

·      “The kids have to come off [insurance] at 26. At 26, they’ll have to do their own thing, whether they’re working or going on the marketplace, but if they’re young children, then they can definitely stay on that spouse’s employer coverage or they would most likely qualify for Medicaid or a CHIP through the state.” (Bailey)

·      “One thing that I’m really good at is taking [stress and overwhelm] off my client’s plate. Basically, you just give me some info that I need and I will find the best option for you. If you tell me to choose, I will even choose the plan for you, send it over, you sign for it, it’s done. I will make sure that that process is off of your plate.” (Bailey)

·      “Just like many attorneys and divorce professionals recommend someone like me, a divorce coach, to guide someone through the divorce process, I think the health insurance process is so confusing that it’s awesome that you do it.” (Beverly)

FURTHER RESOURCES/RELEVANT LINKS:

·      Beverly’s personal Facebook page can be found here.

·      Women’s Divorce and Empowerment group discussion available here.

·      Schedule a complimentary private consultation with Beverly. You can reach out to her at this link.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Bailey Artis is a dedicated health and life insurance agent with a passion for guiding people with their planning. She loves making connections with people and creating lasting relationships. Bailey is an award-winning Medicare and health insurance producer within her company, American Senior Benefits. Bailey is a wife and mother of 2 small boys. When not working, you can find her at the beach, pool, or spending time outdoors with her family.

FOLLOW OUR GUEST:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | CALL/TEXT: (843)-353-4209 | EMAIL: bailey@cfgcarolina.com

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR – SOBERLINK:

If you’re co-parenting with an ex-spouse that abuses alcohol, Soberlink can help! Soberlink’s alcohol monitoring system is the most convenient, reliable, and reasonable way for a parent to provide evidence that they are not drinking during parenting time. The system’s real-time alerts, facial recognition, and tamper detection ensure the integrity of each test, so you can be confident your kids are with a sober parent. To get $50 off your Soberlink device, visit www.soberlink.com/empowered.

ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Beverly Price is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach®️and Women’s empowerment coach with over 25 years of experience. Her passion lies in supporting women through every aspect of separation and divorce. She offers a comprehensive coaching experience that goes beyond just empowerment work to help clients develop their communication, conflict management, boundary setting and negotiation skills. Beverly also provides expertise on the technical, legal, and financial aspects of the divorce process. Women will learn how to evaluate whether they want to stay or go in their marriage and how to make the best possible decisions for themselves and their families. With a holistic approach that combines goal-oriented strategies with emotional support, Beverly’s coaching helps clients build a positive and fulfilling future for themselves and their families during and after divorce.

CONTACT YOUR HOST:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | LINKEDIN | EMAIL

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 A Warm Shoutout To Our Amazing Sponsor:

SOBERLINK

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Hi, beautiful. I am so glad you're here with me today on the Her Empowered Divorce podcast. So many women that I have talked to who are divorcing or divorce face the dilemma of what to do about health insurance. They may have been on their husband's policy and will soon need to get their own. It comes right up as a huge financial decision. Whether you are over 65 and on Medicare,

or whether you're younger and looking for private insurance. Your research, support people, and choices become critical. In the past, health insurance wasn't that big a deal. But as you know, today it really is. And because of that, I wanted to do a podcast episode on this topic. So I am tickled to death to have my guest today, who is Bailey Artis. She is an insurance agency.

with Charter Financial Group of Carolinas. And I can personally testify that she is a great agent because she has helped me with mine. I am so glad to have you Bailey, how you doing?

Thank you Beverly, I'm doing well. Thank you for having me. I'm really excited to explain the ins and outs of health insurance, especially when it comes to something that a spouse has never had to deal with before, and then what the steps are. So I'll be able to go through everything. Yeah.

Oh, that's wonderful. So what are the options these days for health insurance after divorce?

Yeah, so there really are only three options. One would be COBRA, meaning if you're still separated within that one year, some states have that one year separation before divorce. Or if the spouse just allows you to stay on, you then are on what's called COBRA, C-O-B-R-A. So COBRA basically means you get the exact same coverage as what you have currently, except the employer is no longer picking up their match. So you're paying, I would say double

you would have paid previously, so it can be very expensive. Yeah. Okay. Another option would be just going onto the marketplace individually and looking up, you know, healthcare.gov and trying to find a plan that way, which is what I help a lot of people with. Or if you're working and you've opted out of your own employer's group plan, you are able to jump on that and that could be your health insurance.

Gotcha. Okay.

I found, but before I went on Medicare, I went to the marketplace, and I found that, and even Medicare, terribly confusing. There were so many options, so many deductibles, so many co-pays, I didn't know what was the best deal. Is that the kind of thing that you help people with?

Yeah.

It is.

That is exactly what I help with, yes. So I am trained and certified to understand the plans. You would basically just tell me the most important things, your doctors, your medications, income, things like that. And then that's my job to help explain a couple options that it makes it much easier for you. Yeah.

I

Mm-hmm.

Oh yeah, I know that that's been a great, great thing for us. So if I get divorced, heaven forbid, now let's say if someone else gets divorced, because I don't wanna jinx my wonderful marriage, right? So if someone else gets divorced, let's say Jane, can she stay on her husband's work policy after the divorce is final?

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

Okay, so after the divorce is final, she cannot. She would automatically be pushed onto COBRA and she would have 36 months on COBRA unless she decided to go elsewhere. But other than that, if you are divorced, the spouse will kick you off as a dependent, you're no longer a dependent and you'd be on your own. Kids can be a little bit different. They could stay on or they can come off with the spouse.

So typically, what age do the kids come off?

The kids have to come off at 26. Yeah, at 26 they'll have to do their own thing, whether they're working or going on the marketplace. But if they're young children, then they can definitely stay on that spouse's employer coverage, or they would most likely qualify for Medicaid or CHIP through the state. So they would be covered. Mm-hmm.

Okay, gotcha.

Okay, let's say that I was on my husband's policy, we've divorced, I work. Can I get on my current employer's plan at any time during the year?

Yes, so there is a special election period that is meant for people who are legally separated or divorced and that can be enrolled at any time of the year. The only stipulation is you had to have lost coverage, which is most of the case that you would lose coverage. Yeah.

Okay, exactly. Yeah, so you couldn't be on Cobra or you would stop Cobra, I guess.

you would stop Cobra and get on. Yes, correct.

Okay, so if, and that's if I'm employed, if my husband, let's see, if my husband's on Medicare and I'm not 65, then I'm on private insurance, right? So then you'd be looking at the marketplace. Okay, now if, when does somebody go on to Medicare and how did they do that?

Yeah.

REX.

When does someone go into Medicare? So you're on Medicare if you are 65 and older and you've worked at least 10 years of your life, or if you are disabled, you can be on Medicare early as long as you've been disabled for 24 months. There is a different situation to where if you've never worked, you know, some of the older generations, maybe the woman stayed at home and raised the children. If she never worked but was married to a man who did work and put in his time

Hmm.

Right.

and is eligible for Medicare, even divorced, that woman would still be able to have Medicare through her husband's work credits. So that's very important. As long as she's eligible for Medicare, yeah. So mainly 65, yep, correct. Or disabled, but mainly 65, yeah.

as long as she's 65.

Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.

Okay, what happens to the woman that can't afford the cobra? Because I know one time I was on it and it is outrageous

Yeah, so if...

It is outrageous. Yeah, it's definitely not what I would recommend doing. If you cannot afford Cobra, then when you go into the marketplace, they have a lot of subsidies available to especially one person households. So if you lost your coverage and now you're down income, right, you have a loss of income. You would qualify for either free or very low cost health insurance. They they do subtract the subsidy by a lot.

based on income.

And I think that's so critical because any time a couple divorces, obviously, two people coming from an income is a lot less money than two people together. So keeping that in mind, navigating this reporting income and all of those kinds of things, you know, I think just like...

Absolutely.

Many attorneys and divorce professionals recommend somebody like me a divorce coach to guide someone through the divorce process. I think the health insurance process is so confusing that it's awesome that you do it. Now do you charge for your service? Oh, even better. Wow. Free service. That's amazing. So if...

Yeah.

No, no, not at all. Free service! Yes.

If you're on Medicare and divorce, does your Medicare eligibility get affected?

Mm-hmm.

No, so Medicare is individualized. It has nothing to do with being married. So you and your own Medicare would be on its own. And like I had mentioned, if you've never worked but your spouse did, you can qualify for Medicare. Medicare, like I said, is individualized, which means that if you went from a two-person household to a one-person household and your income is lower now, you may even qualify for assistance with your Part B premium. Yeah, so it depends on each state

Okay.

Mmm.

little bit different, but the loss of income could help you be able to afford Medicare a little bit easier.

Okay.

Now do you help folks nationwide or locally? Okay.

I do. Yes, mainly locally in the Carolinas, but I am licensed in a lot of other states. And if someone would approach me from a state that I'm not licensed in, it's a very easy process to get licensed. It takes about two days. So would be open to meeting with anyone in the nation. Yeah.

Okay.

What do you think is the scariest thing for a woman that's divorcing and health insurance? What do you think that would be?

The scariest thing is it would be to think that all this time I've just been covered and I've never had to worry about health insurance, right? Normally maybe the husband had just really great employer coverage and it's not something she ever had to worry about before. Um, and the stipulations of health insurance that is extremely expensive and you'll be penalized for not having it. Right? So I would just say to take a deep breath, there are options, especially the lower the income, the more options.

Right.

And if you aren't working and you have high income because maybe you work for yourself, then even better, there are still subsidies that go into play even if you are a single household income.

Oh wow, that's fantastic. Now, what happens if you divorce and the court says that you have to insure the children that your husband want? How does that handle? Does that just a part of your process?

It is a part of the process. So when it comes to the marketplace through healthcare.gov, you can put that you are a three person household and then it would ask for the ages and it's not very expensive to insure children. Or if you are more of the lower income because you lost income, it's very easy for children to be approved for Medicaid and a lot of children with single parents are on Medicaid. So that's very common.

Interesting. And one thing I want to say to everybody is being on Medicaid is nothing to be ashamed of. Absolutely nothing. It is something that is being an American you have a right to. And I think the other thing I see in a lot of clients is part of the divorce process is gathering all your financial information, your income, your debt.

No, I would agree.

Mm-hmm.

your assets and those kinds of things. And many women become overwhelmed. Because perhaps their husband has handled all the finances. Or perhaps there's just too much information that's overwhelming. And they may feel inside shame or feel stupid or incompetent. And I would think approaching insurance, as complicated as it is, is a very difficult thing.

could bring up the same feelings, right? So how do you deal with women that are feeling that?

Yeah.

So I would always say that if you're going through a change in your life such as divorce and you don't even know where to begin, all you can start to do is just pick up the pieces, right? Get the help that you qualify for in the beginning to get yourself where you need to be. That's what I would recommend. It does not matter. Medicaid is there's a lot of people on Medicaid. And like I said, most children are on Medicaid. Just take it. Let your children have full health insurance

Um, yeah, that's pretty much all I would say.

Thank you so much. Now one of the things I like to talk about is the emotions around divorce, the overwhelm, the stress. What what how can you really help a divorced woman deal with those deal with the overwhelm and the stress?

Yeah.

Yeah, so one thing that I'm really good at is taking all of, taking it off my client's plate basically. You just give me some info that I need and I will find the best option for you. If you tell me to choose, I will even choose the plan for you, send it over, you sign for it, it's done. I will make sure that process is off of your plate. And then every year if there's claims that are denied or something comes up or maybe you have a new doctor, a new medication, you call me.

I'll be there.

So if I get this right, you help with the overwhelm, understanding, the complexity, and all the variations of health insurance. You guide people through the process, and there's no cost to use you. Seems like a slam dunk to me.

Yeah. Correct, yeah, there's no cost. I would agree, yes. Thank you.

I just, you know, I go through so many clients that are so overwhelmed that I think anything we can do to help take things off their plate and help them feel confident that loose ends are taken care of, the better, the better for them.

Yeah.

Yeah, especially when there's a divorce involving children under 26. That brings a whole new level of stress because your children are not covered, right? So I can definitely help relieve that stress.

unless the husband's going to cover them.

Which is the best case scenario, right? If they're gonna continue to cover, yes. Let's choose that, that's first. But you know, as you know, not every divorce is as smooth or as nice as that, right? So if there is some, you know, pettiness involved, then I will handle the children. I will get them on what they need to get on.

Yes.

Absolutely.

Yes.

sounds great. That sounds great. So one of the things I like to ask all my guests is for three things that the woman in the audience can do right away to either summarize what you're talking about or actions they can take as next steps. So what are some of your thoughts on what those steps might be?

Yeah, honestly, I would say if you're going through divorce, the health insurance should not be a priority that is high stress, right? Get your other ducks in a row first. Make sure your finances are where they need to be. Make sure that you can lead the situation in the best way possible. When it comes to health insurance, call me, and I will make sure that is done, right? So mainly my call to action would be, don't worry about the health insurance.

Okay.

covered, it is going to be affordable. And you can do it on your own. You don't need a spouse to cover you for health insurance. You can do it on your own. Okay?

Okay, gosh, that sounds fantastic. So how can people get in touch with you? What's the best way?

Yeah, so phone call. I have my phone on me 24 seven. So you can call me yes.

Why don't you tell them your phone number and I'll also have all her information in the show notes.

Okay, yeah, my phone number is 843-353-4209. I'm a big texter. I love when my clients text me also. It gives me some time to reply. But if not, leave me a message, leave me a voicemail or by email. My email is bailey, B-A-I-L-E-Y, at cfgcarolina.com. And I'll respond within one business day.

fantastic. So and to everybody I'll have all that information as well as mine in the show notes so don't worry about not having it we will cover that. Bailey is there anything else you'd like to share that I've forgotten to ask you?

You know, you really did cover it. You covered what ifs, what if you can't stay on the employer plan, what if you can't afford COBRA, what if you're on Medicare, and really just, that's my problem to deal with. You come to me saying, I'm getting divorced, I need insurance, and I will handle it from there.

Okay.

Wow, what a great deal. Thank you so much for being with me today. I really enjoyed it. And I think this was such great information to help divorcing and divorce women, to really take away the overwhelm and reduce their stress, which we all need. Absolutely. Yeah. So we will have the audio version of this podcast.

Yes, one less thing to worry about.

on my website, herempowereddivorce.com slash podcast, or wherever you listen to your normal podcast platform. We also have a video version on our YouTube channel, which is called Her Empowered Divorce. Please like and subscribe wherever you listen, and leave us a good review. A five-star review would be great, because that way we can reach out and help more women.

who need this kind of information and need this kind of support. Thank you so much for being with Bailey and myself today on the Her Empowered Divorce podcast. Stay tuned for our future episodes where you're learning more about the information that helps prepare you for divorce. I'd like to once again say thank you and take care.