Opinion ID: 2167373
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Award of Medical Coverage

Text: Duane's first argument on appeal is that the trial justice's order requiring him to maintain Josephine as a beneficiary of his medical insurance policy, as long as she is unmarried, for a period of three years, is contrary to the provisions of The Insurance Continuation Act, G.L.1956 § 27-20.4-1. We agree. The Insurance Continuation Act provides in relevant part as follows: The eligibility [to remain a named beneficiary of the insurance policy of the spouse who is a participant in the health plan] shall continue as long as the original member is a participant in the plan or health maintenance organization and until either one of the following shall take place: (1) the remarriage of either party to the divorce; or (2) until a time as provided by the judgment for divorce. Section 27-20.4-1(a) (emphasis added). Pursuant to the Family Court's decision in this case with respect to medical insurance coverage as it currently reads, Duane would be required to maintain Josephine as a beneficiary of his insurance policy for a period of three years, even if he were to remarry during that time. It is our opinion that such a situation would be contrary to the plain meaning of § 27-20.4-1. [3] The statute unambiguously provides that eligibility will cease in either of two situations, one of which being the remarriage of either party. See generally L'Heureux v. L'Heureux, 770 A.2d 854, 856-57 (R.I. 2001). Accordingly, we vacate the Family Court decision insofar as it requires Duane to maintain Josephine as a beneficiary of his medical insurance policy, even in the event of his remarriage, for a period of three years, and we instruct the Family Court to modify its decision in a manner consistent with this opinion.