Do I need to be offically divorced prior to removing my wife from my health insurance plan?
I am entering my annual enrollment period so I can make updates to coverage in general but have not completed a formal seperation agreement yet.
If your plan allows you to remove her without a showing that she is otherwise insured you may take her off the plan. I normally advise folks to leave their spouse on the insurance until the actual divorce, as you could, under a little know doctrine in North Carolina, be held liable for medical expenses she incurs.
The doctrine of necessaries states that a spouse may become liable for necessary expenses (food, shelter, and medical care) incurred on behalf of their spouse, if the provider of goods and/or services did not know the parties were separated.
Ok. But once the divorce is final I can go ahead and drop her from the plan without any concerns?
Yes.