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Today regulations were released by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding dependent coverage. All in all, it was good news. Here’s the details…
If your parent’s health plan covers dependents, it must cover you up to your 26th birthday. But more specifically (and why this is awesome for you):
- You do not have to be in school.
- You do not have to live with your parents.
- You do not have to be a dependent on your parent’s tax return.
Now you may be wondering when the heck this takes effect...
Now! Well, kinda. Secretary Sebelius has been encouraging insurance companies to voluntarily cover young adults before the implementation date (plan or policy years starting Sept 23, 2010 or later) and they’ve been pretty responsive. 65 companies have responded saying they’ll voluntarily continue coverage for people who either age out of their parents’ coverage or graduate which means class of 2010, you’re in good shape. For everyone else who was kicked off your parents’ insurance, you’ll have to get back on during an open enrollment period at the start of your parents' plan or policy year on or after Sept 23, 2010.
The bummer:
This is only for plans that already have dependent coverage. Not all insurance plans have dependent coverage.
Why this is great news:
Young people are the most uninsured of any age group (30%), fewer of us have coverage by our employers and many of us have a hard time paying medical bills. As we’ve been arguing since the start of health insurance reform, we’re not invincible. Whether you have asthma, diabetes, HIV or just want to make sure you can afford the pill, access to health care is a right and now more of us will be able to access that right.
For more info, check out info from HHS.
Comments
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I don't know about you all, but I would be embarrassed if I was even 24 and not establishing my life and careers, and still depending on my parents' health insurance.
# Posted By seriously1988
| 5/22/10 03:46 AM
| Reply
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