2013
It’s common knowledge that the Affordable Care Act changed the rules on health insurance for children by requiring coverage eligibility to age 26 without regard to dependent status. Plans have complied with that requirement for several years.
However, an additional rule kicks in on January 1, 2014. Before then, plans grandfather under the ACA can deny coverage to a under age 26 child if the child had coverage available through his or her own employment. However, beginning January 1st that is no longer permitted.
So, even if a child is married, not living at home, is employed and has health insurance available, is not financially dependent on the employee, ALL plans must permit enrollment under the parents coverage beginning in January.
Employer plans with the better benefits and lower employee cost sharing may find they are a magnet attracting enrollment of such children, especially if the child is required to pay a high premium through his or her employment.
The logic of all this escape me, but I’m not a politician. 😖
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Simply, the Republicans have proposed many changes (not sure I would agree with any of them) – almost all of them have been rejected out of hand by the Democrats. For example, we have seen removal of the CLASS Act, the elimination of the voucher program, and the stupidity that was 1099 income reporting. All of those were proposed by Republicans in the house, and ultimately, agreed to by Democrats in the Senate.
What changes have the Democrats in the Senate proposed with respect to health reform? What “improvements” have they offered – I challenge you to find even one that has been acceptable to Republicans.
All that said, when you have a piece of crap law like PPACA, repleat with problems and issues, which made itw way through Congress based on purchased votes, where the law’s focus was clearly misrepresented with repeated lies, a law no Republican voted for, not one, what do you expect? Why would any Republican vote for anything that adjusted PPACA when they would not vote for it in the first place.
With respect to wealthiest nation on earth, we didn’t get that way (and we won’t remain that way) so long as we abdicate the design of 1/6th of the economy to people who never designed a health insurance policy or benefit plan at any time in their professional lives.
Finally, in terms of children to age 26, this confirms for all, once and for all (alongside the elimination of pre-ex for all and the elimination of lifetime and annual dollar benefit limits, etc.), that even grandfathered plans cannot maintain the status quo. You can keep your health coverage if you are willing to pay for it (Ezekiel Emmanual this Sunday) isn’t true, either!
LikeLike
Granted, the PPACA is not perfect as initially written. If Republican Congress members and Republican governors would join the Democrats to enhance and support implementation and pass amendments to improve the act, millions of citizens would benefit greatly. No one has yet explained to me why Republicans are opposed to everyone in the wealthiest and still greatest nation on earth having affordable healthcare available to them? Not to mention the flawed economic ideology of the right wing which was described so perfectly by Pope Francis.
LikeLike
What about Dental and Vision. My employer is telling me if not a full time student they will not pay
LikeLike
Pediatric dental goes to age 19, but could vary by state. It is part of essential health benefits, but an insured plan could vary by state as to what’s covered, including what may be offered through an exchange.
LikeLike
I don’t think they are opposed, but disagree with the method. Having said that I see no viable alternative yet from Republicans
On the other hand, Obamacare presents a great risk in the long term because it expands coverage and mandates many new costly benefits, but does virtually nothing to actually make health care affordable to the nation or individuals for that matter. Masking some costs with subsidies is not controlling costs. Shifting costs from one group to another is not managing costs.
LikeLike