While Congress and town hall meetings continue a rancorous debate about whether there will be any form of comprehensive healthcare or health insurance reform, Pennsylvania has enacted at least one measure that will provide some welcome assistance to the younger members of middle class families.
On June 10, 2009, Governor Rendell signed an amendment to the state insurance law requiring health insurers to provide an option to the sponsors of group health plans, including HMOs, to extend coverage for the adult children of parents who are enrolled under certain circumstances. This means that employers will, if they choose, be able to allow their employees to extend coverage to children in graduate education programs or who remain in Pennsylvania and do not have access to an affordable group health plan on their own. The ?child? can be covered by the parent?s policy until age 29 if unmarried, without dependents of his or her own, and if the ?child? is either a Pennsylvania resident or enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher learning. The ?child? can have no other health insurance, including medical assistance or AdultBasic health coverage. The law becomes effective on December 7, 2009.
There are a number of other exceptions to the requirement. Individual health plans are not covered, nor are group plans that are self-funded or self-insured. Hospital indemnity, accident, disability, dental, and vision insurance are not covered. It does not apply to Medicare supplemental insurance, long-term care policies, insurance provided through the U.S. military, or some other limited benefit plans.
Insurance companies will still be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, apply lifetime benefit caps, and use all of the existing methods of limiting benefits but, at a time when many young adults are finding it very difficult to obtain their own coverage in a group plan, some of them may be able to avoid being uninsured.
The following article is informational only and not intended as legal advice. Speak with a licensed attorney about your own specific situation. © Copyright 2011 MacElree Harvey, Ltd. All rights reserved.
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