New health care law for adult children?

[sherry7]

I thought I remembered reading something about health care changes for adult children, but I can't find the info now.

My DS is a college student. So, I've always been able to carry him on my health insurance at no charge. However, due to poor timing on his part, he is going to have an entire year before he can get into the nursing program at school. He can either take "blow off" classes during this time to maintain his student status (which of course I have to pay tuition/books for), or he can just take the year off school and pick up more hours at his part time job.

Does anyone know any info about the new health care changes, and how they relate to an adult child who isn't enrolled in college? Thanks.

 

[windycitymom]

You and your DS are in luck!! Effective now, and thanks to the new healthcare rules, children up to age 26 are covered under their parents insurance!! They do not have to be in college either. They can even be living elsewhere or married (but the spouse isn't covered). This is a great benefit for all those new college graduates who are still looking for jobs.

 

[sherry7]

You and your DS are in luck!! Effective now, and thanks to the new healthcare rules, children up to age 26 are covered under their parents insurance!! They do not have to be in college either. They can even be living elsewhere or married (but the spouse isn't covered). This is a great benefit for all those new college graduates who are still looking for jobs.

Thanks for the reply. I suppose the question is now...how much (if any) do I have to pay for it. My employer currently pays 100% of my premium, so I wonder if that would change.

 

[HolliePoppins]

I do think that you can only leave him on if he has no means to provide his own insurance. If he picks up more hours at his part time job and becomes eligible for their ins. I dont think yours will cover him. I could be wrong but this is the way I understood it. Our son is still on our ins.

 

[sherry7]

I do think that you can only leave him on if he has no means to provide his own insurance. If he picks up more hours at his part time job and becomes eligible for their ins. I dont think yours will cover him. I could be wrong but this is the way I understood it. Our son is still on our ins.

His employer doesn't offer insurance, so we're safe that way.

 

[alwaysmom]

Just enrolled our DS back in. It's effective Jan 1, 2011 until age 26. He's 24 and lives on his own. Done with college, has a job & insurance (Not the best but insurance at least). They told me he can have insurance, he will have dual insurance. What one doesn't cover the other will.

I believe it's called "The Healthcare Reform Act" or something like that. You need to fill out the Young Adult Dependent form.

As far as cost, if you have family coverage it's no more money.

 

[SuzyQue]

I too was thrilled to hear this when it went into effect as I have a 24 year old daughter graduated from college with no job insurance. But my husband is retired from Chrysler and they seem to be going against everything the Health Care Reform Act is saying. They say she has to be living at home (ok), unmarried (ok), and we have to be able to claim her on our income tax which we can't because she is too old, and that's why she was taken off our policy to begin with. Anyone else running into this brick wall?

 

[3doodlebugsmom]

What is required and who is responsible?
Title I, Part A, Subpart II, Sec. 2714 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act extends health care coverage for young adult children under their parent's health plan up to the age of 26.

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer coverage to children on their parents’ plan to make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26. The issued regulations state that young adults are eligible for this coverage regardless of any, or a combination of any, of the following factors: financial dependency, residency with parent, student status, employment and marital status. This applies to all plans in the individual market and to employer plans created after the date of enactment (March 23, 2010). For employer plans that were in existence prior to the date of enactment, young adults can qualify for dependent coverage only if they are not eligible for an employment-based health insurance plan until 2014. Beginning in 2014, young adults can choose to stay on their parent’s health plan until age 26, even if they are eligible for their own employer-sponsored insurance plan.

This law does not require that a plan or issuer offer dependent coverage but that if coverage is offered it must be extended to young adults up to age 26. What is the state role?

The new law will apply in all states. States may continue with current state law requirements for extended dependent coverage unless they prevent the application of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. State and local governments, as sponsors of coverage plans, will be required to notify those under the age of 26 whose coverage has ended or who were denied coverage under their plans before turning 26, of enrollment opportunities.

When will it happen?

Coverage for young adults up to age 26 became effective on Sept. 23, 2010.

What will it cost and who will pay?

The cost of notifying families about new enrollment opportunities will be shared between insurance providers and employers. The cost of covering the young adults who take advantage of the extension will be shared between employers and the families of newly covered young adults. States, as sponsors of coverage plans for state employees, will also share the costs with families. The qualified young adult cannot be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage due to the loss of dependent status.IRS Notice 2010-38 provides guidance to extend the general exclusion from gross income for the reimbursements for medical care under an employer provided accident or health plan to any employee's child who has not yet attained age 27 as of the end of the taxable year--making the benefit tax-free.


My sister was quoted a huge premium to have her 20 year old put back onto her policy as he is not in school. They will give you coverage- how much you will have to pay will vary from employer to employer

 

[windycitymom]

Just enrolled our DS back in. It's effective Jan 1, 2011 until age 26. He's 24 and lives on his own. Done with college, has a job & insurance (Not the best but insurance at least). They told me he can have insurance, he will have dual insurance. What one doesn't cover the other will.

I believe it's called "The Healthcare Reform Act" or something like that. You need to fill out the Young Adult Dependent form.

As far as cost, if you have family coverage it's no more money.

Really? I'll have to double-check with our current insurance. I tried to add my 23 DS who is working and has insurance, but DH's employer said that if he has insurance he isn't eligible to be on our insurance. I wanted to add him so he had back-up insurance just in case.

 

[Swimalie]

Check with your employer, too. Some employers are not covering if they didn't cover dependents before. And some employers, knowing they were going to have to cover more people for longer, dropped dependent coverage ahead of this part of the bill being put in place.

 

[kamik86]

I wouldn't be surprised if alot of work places give people a hassle on the new rules as it seems they are from the responses here.

I don't know how much it is a difference in companies or actual law but I know according to my companies new mailings on our new plans a dependent could be on insurance until 26 even if married and even if their job offers insurance. This means that for just graduating people if they have younger siblings it may be smarter to stay on parents insurance (since the parents still need family coverage for younger siblings so its not costing them anything) and not buy their own.

In my case it wouldn't make sense to do this even if it wouldn't cost my parents money though because I"m married and it would leave my husband with no insurance since he is on my work policy.

 

[swilshire]

You can keep your policy at work and still keep your husband on it. You will just have secondary insurance with your parents to cover deductibles and copays. Coordination of benefits is a hassle, but worth it, I'm sure.

Since I have family coverage anyway, adding my 22yo and 24yo (who is soon to be married) back on 1/1 won't cost me anything extra in premiums. Won't start a discussion of how premiums will go up to pay for this eventually.

Also, the "children" are not required to be dependents. Just legal offspring by the definition.

Sheila

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We just re enrolled ds22. He graduated and has an internship that will end in 2 weeks, so since June we have been paying a $329 premium for him. DH cobra at work for him wanted $700 a month.

The hr office asked for a copy of his birth certificate to prove he is under 26 etc. All I know is that I am glad about this, since the coverage he will be getting is much better, ppo versus hmo and I am saving $329 a month from the budget again.

 

[alwaysmom]

Really? I'll have to double-check with our current insurance. I tried to add my 23 DS who is working and has insurance, but DH's employer said that if he has insurance he isn't eligible to be on our insurance. I wanted to add him so he had back-up insurance just in case.

Reading this thread got me wondering so I called the insurance company and asked again. Again I was told it's not a problem for DS to have other insurance, one will be primary one secondary. Coordination of benefits can be a hassle as another poster stated but DS has had it most of his life (I carried it and ex carried it) so we are use to it.

We mostly want it for the eye/dental benefit. I guess we are going to wait and see if he's denied.

 

[daughtersrus]

You and your DS are in luck!! Effective now, and thanks to the new healthcare rules, children up to age 26 are covered under their parents insurance!! They do not have to be in college either. They can even be living elsewhere or married (but the spouse isn't covered). This is a great benefit for all those new college graduates who are still looking for jobs.

That's not entirely true. If the policy is part of a "self funded" plan, the effective date can be different. We just got paperwork to fill out from the union that DH belongs to. The law is not yet in effect for us because the plan is self-funded.


Our oldest DD has insurance with the school district that she's teaching in and our second DD is a full-time college student so she's already covered. The youngest is 16 so I didn't go over it in detail but I will.

I don't know how much it is a difference in companies or actual law but I know according to my companies new mailings on our new plans a dependent could be on insurance until 26 even if married and even if their job offers insurance. This means that for just graduating people if they have younger siblings it may be smarter to stay on parents insurance (since the parents still need family coverage for younger siblings so its not costing them anything) and not buy their own.

.

The paperwork that we got specifically said that they child would only be covered if they are not able to get insurance through their employer or the employer of their spouse if they are married.

 

[Jewel1310]

At healthcare dot gov, the governments site explaining Health care reform it notes the below information. On the page select "young adults" and then selection "under 26"

Under the Affordable Care Act Affordable Care Act
The comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010. The law was enacted in two parts: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010 and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” is used to refer to the final, amended version of the law.
, if your plan covers children, you can now add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old.

What This Means for You:

Until now, health plans could remove enrolled children usually at age 19, sometimes older for full-time students. Now, most health plans that cover children must make coverage available to children up to age 26. By allowing children to stay on their parents’ plan, the Affordable Care Act makes it easier and more affordable for young adults to get health insurance coverage.

Your adult children can join or remain on your plan whether or not they are:

- married;
- living with you;
- in school;
- financially dependent on you;
- eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan, with one temporary exception: Until 2014, “grandfathered” group plans do not have to offer dependent coverage up to age 26 if a young adult is eligible for group coverage outside their parents’ plan.

The grandfathered provision might be the issue. Your employer, if grandfathered, is applying additional rules. If your plan is a grandfathered plan (in place when the law was passed and has with minimal changes year to year) the employer would need to tell you that they are grandfathered. They can only be grandfathered until 2014.

Additionally if you have a HSA that is part of a high deductible health plan, the HSA part may not able to be used if the person is not a dependent on your taxes.

There are FAQs at the site referenced above. It may answer some of your questions.

 

[alwaysmom]

So this what I found regarding this discussion in our insurance info....

Contrary to earlier reports, a young adult can be eligible for, or enrolled in, his/her own employer-sponsored plan and still enroll as a dependent on the family plan.

and also...............

This change will become effective on January 1, 2011. The extension of coverage applies only to medical benefits, and does not apply to dental or vision benefits.

Dang, I wanted it for the dental/vision coverage.

 

[daughtersrus]

At healthcare dot gov, the governments site explaining Health care reform it notes the below information. On the page select "young adults" and then selection "under 26"

Under the Affordable Care Act Affordable Care Act
The comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010. The law was enacted in two parts: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010 and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” is used to refer to the final, amended version of the law.
, if your plan covers children, you can now add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old.

What This Means for You:

Until now, health plans could remove enrolled children usually at age 19, sometimes older for full-time students. Now, most health plans that cover children must make coverage available to children up to age 26. By allowing children to stay on their parents’ plan, the Affordable Care Act makes it easier and more affordable for young adults to get health insurance coverage.

Your adult children can join or remain on your plan whether or not they are:

- married;
- living with you;
- in school;
- financially dependent on you;
- eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan, with one temporary exception: Until 2014, “grandfathered” group plans do not have to offer dependent coverage up to age 26 if a young adult is eligible for group coverage outside their parents’ plan.

The grandfathered provision might be the issue. Your employer, if grandfathered, is applying additional rules. If your plan is a grandfathered plan (in place when the law was passed and has with minimal changes year to year) the employer would need to tell you that they are grandfathered. They can only be grandfathered until 2014.

Additionally if you have a HSA that is part of a high deductible health plan, the HSA part may not able to be used if the person is not a dependent on your taxes.

There are FAQs at the site referenced above. It may answer some of your questions.

Thanks for the info.

It must be because the plan is self-funded. There are many laws that don't apply because of this (like covering birth control...)

This is the exact wording from the form that we had to fill out.

"However, if your child is eligible to enroll in an employer sponsored group health plan by virtue of their employment or, if married, by virtue of their spouse's employment, they are not eligible for dependent coverage under our Plan."

 

[dclfun]

Also a dependent child of any age who is disabled can have coverage under a parent's plan vs. only having coverage up to age 26.---Kathy

 

[quentina]

I too was thrilled to hear this when it went into effect as I have a 24 year old daughter graduated from college with no job insurance. But my husband is retired from Chrysler and they seem to be going against everything the Health Care Reform Act is saying. They say she has to be living at home (ok), unmarried (ok), and we have to be able to claim her on our income tax which we can't because she is too old, and that's why she was taken off our policy to begin with. Anyone else running into this brick wall?

This is all wrong.......26 or younger and are not required to be a student or tax dependent.