Health Benefits for Surviving Spouses?

[Guest Cindy Rhodes]

Does anyone offer continued health benefits for surviving spouses, other than COBRA? Is there a fee involved? If the employee would have been eligible for post-retirement medical, is the surviving spouse offered continued medical as if the employee had already retired?

Thanks for any help provided.

[Larry M]

There are employers paying for and carriers providing continuing health care benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children.

Generally, it is a matter of negotiation between employer and carrier. Usually, the surviving dependent benefit is limited to a few months or years - although some plans do provide coverage for retirees and their surviving spouses on a "forever" basis - quite costly.

If the company wishes to reduce its costs a bit, it can limit the eligibility to those who have been employed, covered by the plan or married for a minimum length of time.

[This message has been edited by Larry M (edited 03-29-99).]