My fiance and I have been dating for 7.5 years, engaged for 2 years. Our wedding is planned for Sept 2005 - we have contacted the church, and will start pre-cana this weekend. However, a wierd situation has arisen - my fiance has no medical insurance. The only way for him to get it is if we get married and he is on mine (his company does not offer it). So, we have discussed a civil ceremony in Las Vegas in order to have him covered [plus, we love each other=)]. We are looking into the rules regarding convalidation, and I've seen nothing that pertains to our situation specifically. Will we run into a problem with the church ceremony? Marriage in the church is very important to both of us, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure things run smoothly. Advice?

-- Jacqueline (jhensley@bdo.com), January 11, 2005

Answers

just have him get some cheapy insurance for the time being. It would prolly cost the same for a year of unicare insurance as a trip to vegas.

-- kat (riesoracle@hotmail.com), January 11, 2005.

sounds like a heart issue to me...

kat's right, you can always get cheap insurance and you can always pray that God will protect him before the marriage... are you looking for an excuse to get married sooner? this is said out of love mind you. sometimes i look back on decisions i've made and realize that my saintly excuse was just that, an excuse.

-- rina (hellorina@aol.com), January 11, 2005.

Get a cheap policy with a high deductable that limits your liability to a maximum of $2,500 (the most you'ld owe a hospital.) Should be fairly inexpensive and would do the trick.

However if he has a "pre-existing medical condition" it could preclude him from getting a cheapo individual policy. If thats the case, in many states marriage is the only way he could get insurance.

If there is no way, other than marriage to get coverage--- I really don't know what the Church would say about getting a cival marriage, and living as if not married until the Catholic marriage can be performed.

I'd ask the priest, explain the situation and tell him that you wouldn't recognise it as marriage and live apart.

Its financially dangerous to be without health insurance. I was hospitalised in 1984 when I was 28 yrs old for 10 days. At 28 you're supposed to be indestructable. If I hadn't had coverage through work, I'd have owed $42,000. That was back then and would have been a terrible financial burdon. It would be kind of a disaster to begin marriage owing a hospital $100,000 if something happend befor the wedding. I can see the concern here. Still I'd try for private insurance unless you're sure he can't get it.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), January 11, 2005.