questions & answers

Question: I am currently covered by my spouses insurance coverage and our divorce has not been filed yet. ARS 20-1377 and 20-1408 state that I may continue to be covered under his health insurance policy. I have contacted the health care company and NO ONE is able to assist me with this. I've looked online for answers and there are none. How to I apply for a conversion policy?

Answer: While on the surface, this may seem like a simple question, but it is not.  There is a difference between insurance and health care contracts.  The statute you reference applies to insurance policies, not health care contracts.   What does the insurance policy or plan booklet say about conversion policies?  If you cannot get your answer from the booklet or from the health care company, you may need to consult an attorney to figure out what to do. There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  For a $75.00 fee, the Modest Means Program will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  The telephone number is (866) 637-5341. Both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Pima County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $40.00. The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.