Question
State: South Carolina
If an individual marries a terminally ill person simply so the new spouse can receive expensive medical treatment, is this insurance fraud?
Answer
If there is an application that asks health questions, and those questions are not addressed in a truthful manner, then fraud exists.
The situation as you describe may not be ethical or even "fair". But if you are following the rules for qualifying for coverage, I see no reason to believe fraud is being purpetrated.
Answer
Plus there would more than likely be a pre-existing investigation if any "suspicious" claims are filed for a major condition after coverage takes effect. If it's found the condition existed before coverage took effect (unless the spouse already had previous coverage, which it doesn't sound like they do) they won't pay anything. If the spouse is terminally ill, that's going to be awfully hard to hide.
But if the spouse had coverage beforehand and you're getting married because your benefits are just better than what they have, I don't see how that'd be considered fraud. Your reasons for getting married are yours and yours alone. Even insurance companies can't dictate that.
Answer
Sounds like a dumb reason to get married. But, whatever floats your boat.
You're obviously not in it for love**************. Do you think the sick partner is leaving you money when they die?