Can You Add Your Boyfriend to Your Health Insurance? Options, Steps, and What to Expect

By Samantha CollinsLast Updated July 31, 2025

Understanding Eligibility: Can You Add Your Boyfriend to Your Health Insurance?

The possibility of adding your boyfriend to your health insurance depends primarily on your insurance provider’s rules, your employer’s benefits policies, and your state’s legal recognition of domestic partnerships. In the United States, most health insurance plans-including employer-sponsored and private plans-traditionally limit dependent coverage to legal spouses and children. However, in recent years, an increasing number of insurers and employers have expanded eligibility to include domestic partners, which may encompass unmarried romantic partners like boyfriends, provided certain requirements are met [1] [2] .

What Is a Domestic Partnership?

A domestic partnership is a legally or formally recognized relationship between two individuals who live together and share a domestic life but are not married. Many health insurance providers use the domestic partnership status to extend benefits similar to those available to married couples. State and local laws, as well as your insurer’s specific requirements, define what qualifies as a domestic partnership. Some states recognize domestic partnerships broadly, while others limit this recognition to certain groups (for example, same-sex couples or partners over a certain age) [2] .

Key Domestic Partnership Requirements

To qualify as domestic partners for health insurance purposes, you typically must:

Live together in a committed, long-term relationship
Share financial responsibilities (such as joint bank accounts, leases, or bills)
Provide documentation or affidavits confirming your partnership
Not be married to anyone else
Meet any additional criteria set by your insurer, employer, or state

Some states and employers may require you to register your domestic partnership officially or provide a declaration/certification. For example, California and Nevada recognize domestic partnerships for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, while New Jersey and Washington have more restrictive criteria [2] .

How to Add Your Boyfriend as a Domestic Partner

The process of adding your boyfriend to your health insurance as a domestic partner involves several important steps:

Verify Your Plan’s Policy: Check your insurance policy or contact your HR/benefits department to confirm whether domestic partner coverage is available. Not all employers or insurance carriers provide this option [3] .
Learn the Specific Requirements: Each insurer and employer may require different documentation. Commonly requested items include a signed affidavit, proof of joint financial obligations, evidence of cohabitation, or official domestic partnership registration.
Gather Documentation: Collect the necessary paperwork, such as joint lease agreements, bank statements, utility bills with both names, or an official domestic partnership certificate if your state registers them.
Enroll During the Appropriate Period: Most plans only allow new dependents during the annual open enrollment period. Some employers allow changes after a qualifying life event, but registering a domestic partnership does
not
always count as a federally recognized qualifying life event. This means you may need to wait until open enrollment unless your employer makes an exception [3] .
Submit Your Application: Complete the required forms and submit all supporting documents to your HR/benefits department or directly to your insurer. If approved, your boyfriend will receive the same coverage and benefits as any other dependent under the policy [1] .

State-by-State Variations and Limitations

Coverage for domestic partners is not universal . States like California and Nevada are more inclusive, while others restrict domestic partnership recognition to specific populations. In Washington, for example, domestic partnership benefits are limited to same-sex couples or heterosexual couples over 62. In New Jersey, similar restrictions apply [2] . Many states do not recognize domestic partnerships at all, which means coverage may only be available through private employers who voluntarily offer the benefit.

It is crucial to check both your state’s laws and your employer’s policies . Even if your state recognizes domestic partnerships, your employer or insurer may not provide this option. Conversely, some large employers offer domestic partner health insurance even in states without formal recognition.

Practical Steps to Take If Your Boyfriend Isn’t Eligible

If you are unable to add your boyfriend to your health plan due to state or employer restrictions, there are still alternative options:

Marketplace Plans: Each state’s Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov or your state’s exchange) allows individuals to shop for their own insurance. While you generally cannot add an unmarried partner as a dependent, your boyfriend can apply for his own plan. If your combined household income qualifies, he may be eligible for subsidies.
Medicaid: If your boyfriend has a low income, he may qualify for Medicaid in your state. He can apply independently through your state Medicaid office or website.
Short-Term Health Plans: Some insurers offer short-term health insurance, though these plans may offer limited coverage and are not required to meet all Affordable Care Act standards.
Employer Coverage: If your boyfriend has a job that offers health insurance, it may be his best option. Some employers even offer domestic partner benefits, so he should check with his own HR department.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Many couples encounter obstacles when trying to secure joint coverage as unmarried partners. The most common challenges include:

Lack of Recognition: Not all insurers or employers offer domestic partner coverage. Solution: Seek other coverage options or discuss with your employer the possibility of expanding benefits.
Documentation Burden: The need to provide extensive evidence of partnership can be daunting. Solution: Start gathering documents early (joint leases, utility bills, bank accounts, declarations from friends or family), and ask your HR department for a checklist.
Enrollment Timing: Missing the open enrollment window may delay coverage. Solution: Ask about special enrollment periods due to qualifying life events or plan ahead for the next enrollment cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will My Boyfriend Get the Same Benefits?

If your boyfriend is accepted as a domestic partner, he will generally receive the same health coverage and benefits as any other dependent under the plan. However, costs may increase-as adding a dependent often raises premiums [1] .

What Documents Are Needed?

Commonly required documents include:

Affidavit of domestic partnership
Proof of joint financial responsibility (bank accounts, lease agreements)
Proof of cohabitation (utility bills, joint mail)
Declarations from friends or family verifying the relationship
Official state registration, if available

Are There Tax Implications?

Unlike married spouses, health insurance benefits for a domestic partner who is not a tax dependent may be considered taxable income to the employee. Consult a tax professional to understand your specific situation.

How to Get Started: Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to explore your options:

Contact your employer’s HR or benefits department and ask if domestic partner health coverage is available and what requirements apply.
If available, request a list of documents needed to prove your partnership.
Gather all required documentation, such as joint leases, bank statements, and affidavits.
Complete any required forms and submit them during the open enrollment period (or special enrollment, if permitted).
If not available, help your boyfriend explore options through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid by visiting Healthcare.gov or your state’s marketplace site.

If you have more questions, you can also search for “domestic partner health insurance” on reputable health insurance and government websites, or contact your state’s insurance commissioner for further guidance.

Key Takeaways

Adding your boyfriend to your health insurance is possible in some cases, mainly if your insurer and state recognize domestic partnerships and you meet their requirements. The process is documentation-intensive and may be limited by state or employer policies. When in doubt, consult your HR department, insurance provider, or seek assistance from local agencies. If domestic partner coverage is not available, consider individual marketplace insurance, Medicaid, or employer-based options for your boyfriend.