New law lets parents extend insurance policy to uninsured young adults til age 29

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

pa just changed their law regarding dependent health coverage:

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rep lentz: new law lets parents extend insurance policy to uninsured young adults

the law (

act 4 of 2009

) allows parents who have health coverage, whether through their employer or on their own, to extend their policy to include uninsured adult dependent children through age 29. parents will be responsible for the additional cost of extending the policy.

"the economy is rough for everyone, and jobs with health-care benefits are scarce," lentz said. "act 4 gives young adults more time to secure a job in a tough market without forgoing health insurance. and allowing parents to add their uninsured child to their policy gives them peace of mind that if a medical emergency arises, their child is covered."

adult children are eligible to be added to a parent's insurance coverage under the law if they are uninsured, younger than 30, unmarried, have no dependents, and are legal residents of pennsylvania or enrolled full time in college or graduate school. insurers will determine the premium increase for parents to pay to have their coverage extended.

lentz said under the law, employers that provide coverage are not required to pay a portion of the increased premium cost to extend coverage, but may do so if they wish.

governor rendell signed june 10th, 2009 so goes into effect on september 10th, 2009 ...awaiting how my employer will handle so can signup one son who just graduated from college and working but without health coverage from employer.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Wow- that's great. My parents' plans have always offered coverage if the child is still in school, but I think even that cut off at 23.

If parents have to pay the full cost of the additional person though, would that end up being cheaper than private insurance?