Can You Put Your Girlfriend on Your Health Insurance?

Sharing health insurance coverage with an unmarried partner is a common consideration today. As relationships evolve, understanding the options and implications for health insurance becomes relevant. This article provides an overview of the possibilities and processes involved in adding a girlfriend to a health insurance plan. It covers eligibility requirements, tax implications, and enrollment steps for those seeking to extend coverage to their partners.

Eligibility for Coverage

Adding a girlfriend to a health insurance plan depends on the plan type and its specific rules. Employer-sponsored health plans have distinct criteria compared to individual plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. Many employers extend coverage to “domestic partners,” which involves meeting specific conditions for a committed, marriage-like relationship. These conditions often include shared residency, financial interdependence, and a mutual commitment to a long-term relationship, with definitions varying by employer and jurisdiction.

To prove a domestic partnership, documentation such as a shared lease, joint bank accounts, and affidavits of domestic partnership may be required. Some employers might also specify a minimum period of cohabitation, such as six months or more. Not all employers offer domestic partner benefits, and specific requirements can differ significantly.

For individual health plans purchased through the ACA Marketplace, the rules for adding a non-spouse partner align with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition of a “qualifying relative.” Under IRS Section 152, a girlfriend can be considered a qualifying relative if she meets several criteria. These include living with the policyholder for the entire year, not being a qualifying child of another taxpayer, and meeting gross income and support tests.

The gross income test requires the individual’s gross income to be below $5,200 for 2025. The support test mandates that the policyholder provides more than half of the girlfriend’s total financial support for the year. If these IRS dependency rules are not met, a girlfriend cannot be added to an individual Marketplace plan as a dependent. Private plans purchased directly from insurers often mirror employer-sponsored or Marketplace guidelines regarding dependent eligibility.

Tax Considerations

Adding a girlfriend to a health insurance plan can have tax implications, especially if she does not meet the IRS definition of a “qualifying relative.” If the girlfriend is not a tax-dependent qualifying relative, the value of employer-provided health insurance coverage for her portion is considered “imputed income” to the employee. Imputed income represents the fair market value of a benefit an employee receives that is not paid in cash, which is then added to their taxable wages. This means the employee will owe federal, and potentially state and local taxes, on the value of the coverage provided to the non-dependent partner.

The portion of premiums paid by the employer for a non-dependent domestic partner’s coverage is subject to taxation as imputed income, increasing the employee’s gross income on their W-2 form. Unlike premiums for a spouse or tax-dependent children, which are generally paid pre-tax, the employee’s contribution for a non-dependent girlfriend’s coverage is paid with after-tax dollars. This can result in a higher tax liability and increased tax withholdings from the employee’s paycheck. Medical expense deductions are possible for healthcare costs, but these deductions are generally only available if the girlfriend is a qualifying relative and other IRS criteria are met.

Enrollment Procedures

Once eligibility criteria are met, enrolling a girlfriend in a health insurance plan involves specific procedural steps. Enrollment occurs during designated periods, primarily the annual open enrollment period. For employer-sponsored plans, open enrollment periods are set by the employer, usually in the fall, with coverage often beginning at the start of the new calendar year. For individual Marketplace plans, open enrollment runs from November 1st to January 15th in most states, with coverage effective dates depending on when enrollment is completed.

Outside of open enrollment, individuals may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to a qualifying life event. While marriage is a common qualifying life event that triggers an SEP, the recognition of entering a domestic partnership as an SEP varies by plan and jurisdiction. If a domestic partnership is recognized as an SEP, it allows a 60-day window from the event date to enroll or change plans.

To initiate enrollment, individuals should contact their employer’s Human Resources or benefits administrator for employer plans, or the insurance provider or Marketplace for individual plans. This step involves submitting required documentation, such as a domestic partnership affidavit, proof of shared residency, or other evidence of the relationship, along with the girlfriend’s personal details like Social Security Number and date of birth. After completing the necessary enrollment forms, either online or in paper format, confirm the effective date of coverage and understand any changes to premium costs. Following successful enrollment, individuals can expect to receive confirmation and insurance cards for the newly added partner.