Insurers following new health law early

[Ed Barrow]

Source: Columbus Dispatch

Of all the things Danielle Hertz will have to worry about when she graduates from Ohio State this spring, health insurance won't be one of them.

Under the new federal health-reform law, she and other adult children can stay on their parents' health-insurance policies until they're 26 years old.

The federal provision kicks in for policies renewed after Sept. 23, but several health-insurance companies already have let students graduating in the spring stay on their parents' policies.

Jumping in early helps insurers and employers avoid the paperwork involved in having to drop adult children from policies only to pick them up again in a few months.


Read more: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/29/copy/insurers-following-new-health-law-early.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

[tabatha]

1. A little bit of good news amongst all the bad.

[NYMountaineer]

2. I like it.

Sounds good by me. Of course, I bet the insurers will credit their own generosity and kind-heartedness for the change.

[No Elephants]

8. Not generosity. More premiums for them.

[iamjoy]

3. Lot of Companies Doing This

As I see it, the kids are less likely to have medical claims. So, by allowing them to stay on the policy, the insurance companies actually make money.

[prolesunited]

6. Give this poster a cookie!

[mopinko]

4. this has been the law in illinois since jan 1 this year.

cost bcbs some dough, cuz i had a kid waiting for jan 1 to get her gall bladder out. but mostly it doesn't cost them squat.

[K8-EEE]

5. I am very thankful that our daughter won't be kicked off next year!!

She's been taking on extra work to graduate in 3 years (at age 20) to save us money...in the back of my mind was this ins. thing, after 19 she has to be a full time student. I was worried she would be uninsured (or facing huge COBRA) before finding a job with good benefits, I'm very grateful for this reform.

[eridani]

7. Too bad about all the 26 year olds whose parents are uninsured, or who can't afford to keep them on

More bennies for tha already priveleged.

[Vinca]

9. Don't get too warm and fuzzy over big insurance.

Their favorite customers are healthy 20 somethings and mom and dad are guaranteeing the premium payment.

[area51]

10. +1

Anyone who thinks that insurance companies are doing this out of the kindness of their hearts -- when they could've done so without a law -- needs to buy a bridge from me.