National Quotes has learned that approximately 115,000 women between the ages of 26 and 64 face the uncertainty of losing their health insurance coverage due to divorce, according to a study performed by the University of Michigan.

The study showed that each year approximately 65,000 women lose their health insurance coverage because they no longer qualify as dependents under their husbands' health insurance policies or cannot afford to pay the monthly premiums for private insurance.

This loss in health insurance is not temporary. Experts have found that many women remain uninsured for over two years after getting divorced. "Given that approximately one million divorces occur each year in the U.S., and that many women get health coverage through their husbands, the impact is quite substantial," reported Bridget Lavelle, a U-M Ph.D. lead author of the study.

The study also found that women who are named dependents under their husbands' employer-based health insurance are particularly vulnerable to losing their insurance, with 25 percent being uninsured within six months after the divorce. Despite the financial hardships women face after divorce, many still do not qualify for public insurance or Medicaid.

Lavelle stated that "women in moderate-income families face the greatest loss of insurance coverage. They are more likely than higher-income women to lose private coverage and they have less access than lower-income women to public safety-net insurance programs."

NationalQuotes.com's recent research shows that state law has implemented some guidelines to help divorced women protect their health insurance coverage. HIPPA assures certain rights to continue the previous health insurance for a period of time, but the woman should retain proof of coverage from the employer.

According to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), divorced women whose husbands belong to a company with 20 or more employees can continue health benefits for 18 months until a new insurance is found, but they are required to pay the full amount in premiums.

Jeffrey A. Landers, a financial strategist, wrote, "My advice would be to get your own health insurance as soon as possible because if you develop a condition while on COBRA, a new insurance plan may see it as a pre-existing condition and either not insure you or only do so with much higher premiums."

The University of Michigan study found that full-time work and education can help diminish the chances of losing health insurance after a divorce, but for those working part-time or at a job that doesn't offer health benefits, employment will not protect them.

National Quotes recommends that women going through a divorce should be prepared to compare health insurance quotes through several providers to ensure affordable premiums for themselves and their dependents.

For more details, visit: http://www.nationalquotes.com/health-insurance-coverage/