Barron’s – Health Insurance After Divorce Has Gotten Pricier. These Moves Can Help.

Health insurance is often overlooked in divorce planning, but it can become a major expense—especially as costs rise. When a couple splits, the spouse who was covered under the other’s workplace plan typically loses that coverage and may need to buy insurance through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.

ACA plans are becoming significantly more expensive, with benchmark silver plan premiums rising nearly 22% in 2026, according to the Urban Institute. While a few states, such as New Mexico, are helping offset the increases, many people are facing much higher costs. Older adults are especially affected because insurers in most states can charge them up to three times more than younger customers for the same coverage.

“Following a divorce, each party is usually responsible for paying for their own health insurance,” says Lili Vasileff, a certified divorce financial analyst and president of Wealth Protection Management in Greenwich, Conn.

“Pricing out plans and tracking expenses can help each spouse understand what adjustments may be necessary to afford healthcare post-divorce, from downsizing to spending cuts to taking on part-time work,” Vasileff says.