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Will health insurance cover adoption for gay couples?

Keep in mind...
  • Although the adoption process is the same, gay couples still encounter discrimination in regards to adoption
  • Adoption can be accomplished through an adoption agency or privately with the help of an attorney
  • Foreign adoption has become fashionable among celebrities

When you make the decision to adopt a child, there are so many details to consider. This is especially so for gay couples who may be wondering if adoption is covered under health insurance.

The answer to that question is confusing and is depends on the state where you reside, the company you work for and the type of health insurance you have.

Enter your zip code above and find the right health insurance plan for you and your family!

Where should I start?

AdobeStock_108003490-1600x1600If your health insurance is through your employer, its best to speak with a human resources representative who can give you individualized, detailed information.

Wendy’s Restaurant chain founder Dave Thomas, who was himself an adoptee, once said, “Every child deserves a home and love.”

Adopting a child is one of the most loving things a human being can do, but for gay couples, it can still be a struggle for acceptance and support due to regulations that can sometimes make the process more difficult.

With more and more states making gay marriage legal, additional attention has been focused on the resulting rights and responsibilities under these laws, such as custody issues and health insurance coverage.

According to the National Center for Lesbian Rights, more than 200,000 children live with same-sex parents.

In many instances, adoption could be required by both parents in order to insure coverage and to provide assurance that either adult can determine medical treatment for the child.

It is also wise to extend rights to each parent so that if one parent becomes unable to care for the child for any reason, custody automatically reverts to the other adult.

Most experts recommend that both partners go through the second-parent adoption process, even if they are both listed on the child’s birth certificate.

Each company and situation is different. Check with your human resources director to find out what is covered under your plan.

If your adopted child is not covered, you can start by simply asking if it is possible to make a change on your behalf.

What are the statistics on adoption for gay couples and others?


With more than 100,000 children in the foster care system waiting for permanent homes, it is more important than ever to make it easier for gay couples to adopt and get coverage for these children.

Statistics have shown that children sometimes fare better with adoptive parents than with birth parents regarding parental attention and lifestyle advantages.

According to survey information, adopted children are more likely to spend additional quality time with parents than other children are.

More people are beginning to realize that the only things parents need are an abundance of love, time, and commitment.

Formerly, adoption was seen as something secretive or shameful. Today, this is often not the case, with a high percentage of adopted children being aware of their status as well as having some contact with or information about their birth parents.

What are the different types of adoption?

There are many reasons why couples choose to adopt. Also, there are also many ways to adopt, whether it is done through a government-controlled system or privately with an outside organization or agent, the main goal is to place a child in a loving home.

Families can use lawyers, churches, or adoption agencies for private adoptions. Each form of adoption has diverse levels of engagement and contact with the birth parents.

People who adopt come different walks of life including gay couples, single parents, people unable to conceive and even unmarried couples can be qualified for adoption.

However, there are still states and countries, which do not allow adoption by gay couples.

Sometimes it may become necessary to take in the child of a relative or other person known to you. It is also possible to adopt an adult for various purposes such as disability care issues or to reconnect with birth parents.

This can usually be done without the assistance of an organization designed to help people adopt. All others require the assistance of a state or legal entity.

Some people may adopt the child or children of their spouse or partner. Stepparent adoptions can serve to make the family unit feel more complete.

It can also provide the children with rights and privileges they might not otherwise have such as inheritance and tax benefits.

Foreign adoptions have also become more popular in recent years, perhaps because of media interest and celebrity trends.

It involves adopting a child from a different country, often one that has been affected by poverty or other socioeconomic problems.

Mixed race adoptions, where the child and the adoptive parents are of different ethnic origin, have also become more common.

Due to the large numbers of minority children who need homes and the varied families looking to adopt, it has long been realized that it is a good idea to put these groups together, regardless of the race of those involved.

What are your options if your health insurance does not cover adoption?

United-States-map-78275004-1600x1600In some circumstances, it may be easier for a member of a gay couple to get health insurance coverage for an adopted child as a single parent, instead of as a couple.

Additionally, it might depend on the rules of the individual health insurance company or even the way your employer contributes to your health plan.

Since gay marriage is not recognized in every state, your employer may turn to federal law for guidance, in which domestic partner or stepparent rules may be applied.

You can also file other legal documentation to make sure any adopted child is recognized such, as agreements of consent in medical situations and wills.

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