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Florida Dependent Health Coverage to Age 30
[For Florida Plans Only — New State Regulation — Some State Clarification Pending]
The below legislation is applicable to all insured medical plans and all self-insured plans not otherwise exempted under ERISA (i.e., governmental, church, etc.). It is not applicable to stand alone products such as dental or vision. As of this writing the major health carriers in Florida have requested further clarification and have indicated that the protocols established to implement it on its effective date may be subject to change.
Dependent coverage legislation (FL SB 2534) enacted by the State of Florida became effective on October 1, 2008. In new plans starting on or after this date, eligible dependents will have the option to maintain dependent coverage up to the end of the calendar year in which the dependent reaches his or her 30th birthday. For existing plans, the option to offer coverage will occur on the next renewal date after October 1, 2008. In addition, there is a special open enrollment period between October 1, 2008 and April 1, 2009 for dependents who aged out of their plans prior to October 1, 2008.
A dependent child between the ages of 26 and 30 may request to continue as a dependent on his or her parent’s coverage even after the child reaches the limiting age under the terms of the policy if he or she:
- Is not yet 30 years old
- Is unmarried
- Has no children
- Is a resident of Florida or, if not a Florida resident, is a full or part-time student at an accredited institution of higher education
- Is not eligible for Medicare and is not actually covered under another group or individual health plan.
The employee may make the request to continue the dependent child’s coverage:
- When he or she reaches the limiting age, or
- During the open enrollment period for the group of which the parent is a member on or after October 1, 2008
If you have not been contacted by your carrier rep or broker about this important change in policy wording, you should speak to them as soon as possible.