Healthcare Reform Bill
The Healthcare Reform Bill was passed on March 23, 2010.
One of the provisions in the bill will allow eligible young adults to stay on their parents' health care plan until age 26. However, since the bill does not take effect until plan years beginning after September 23, 2010 (e.g. January 1, 2011 for calendar year plans) insurers are being urged for voluntary early adoption of this provision to enable continued coverage of college students, under age 26, who are graduating or will reach a disqualifying age under their parent's policy prior to becoming eligible under the new provision. To date, many major insurers have announced they will provide "gap coverage" to this group of young Americans to allow them to remain continually insured.
The new legislation also eliminates the "student" requirement beyond age 19, so the student requirement imposed by some insurance companies will no longer apply.
How might this affect you?
- If you are currently insured under a parent's plan:
If your insurance company chooses early adoption of this provision, and you meet eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to remain continually insured under your parent's plan even after you graduate, leave school or reach an ineligible age below 26. If your insurance company does not choose early adoption of this provision, you may need to purchase short-term or alternative insurance to remain continually insured until such time that you may become eligible for re-enrollment into the plan. - If you are not currently insured under a parent's plan:
You may become eligible to be covered under your parent's plan.
What should you do? Have your parent contact their employer or health insurance company to find out how the new legislation will affect you.
For more information on early adoption and links to information on the Affordable Care Act and new IRS guidance on healthcare reform go to: