BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee announced today that it will thousands of young members to remain covered on their parents’ policy until age 26 in advance of a new federal law.
Effective June 1, the Tennessee BlueCross plan, the state’s biggest health insurer, is joining with the other 38 BlueCross plans nationwide to expedite what the health care reform plan mandates occur by Sept. 23. Other insurers such as United Health Care, Humana and Wellpoint also are expediting the coverage extension to young adults in advance of the new law.
The health care reform law signed into law in March will allow young adults to stay on or return to a parent’s insurance plan until age 26. Most public and private health plans do not cover dependents after age 19, though some plans have covered full-time college students on their parents plans until age 23.
Recognizing that this timetable could result in many young people losing their coverage prior to this date because of their age, student status, or other factors, BlueCross President Vicky Gregg said the Chattanooga-based company agreed to expedite the change.
“BlueCross is committed to ensuring a workable and effective implementation of the new health care reform law,” Ms. Gregg said. “By making this change in advance of the law, we can ensure that our young members are able to hold on to their coverage and access the care they need.”
The extension of coverage will apply to fully-insured employer accounts for their employees as well as individual policyholders who cover a dependent. For currently uninsured, they will be offered this coverage when the law becomes effective in September.