CAN YOU BE RIGHT AND WRONG?
I overheard a conversation between two friends; one telling the other, his child would be covered under his health plan to age 27. Mr. Buttinsky offered that he might want to double-check, as I was
positive Obamacare set the eligibility limit at the date a dependent turns 26.
And, it does. Here’s the rub.
For several years, Wisconsin required dependent eligibility to end at age 27. When that law was rescinded, (just) one major health insurer unilaterally decided to stay at 27, presuming (I guess) that would
give them a competitive edge.
Also true is larger self-funded employers can set any age limit. While most defer to the Obamacare rule, I’ve now learned quite a few allow up to age
28!
Proving yet again – you’d think I would have learned by now - it might be a good idea to double check ones facts for even the most basic question.
(Or, mind my own business!)
BTW, whenever a dependent ages out of a group health plan, a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows for immediate enrollment in a Marketplace individual plan, with no limitations for pre-existing
conditions.
Of that, I’m (99.99%) certain.
