The Patient Protection and Affordable Act and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA) regulations prohibit plans from defining "dependent" in terms other than the relationship between a child and a participant.  Thus, factors such as residency, financial dependence, student status, marriage or employment cannot be used in determining a child's eligibility, whether the child is a minor or an adult.  In addition, the terms of the plan cannot vary based on the age of a child, except for children age 26 or older. Plans are not required, however, to cover a child's spouse or children.
 
Many carriers and self funded plans are changing their definition of an eligible dependent prior to the required effective date: the first carrier renewal following September 23, 2010.
 
BHS will continue to terminate coverage based on the rules in place for your health plan. If your plan is one of the many that are allowing Adult Children to stay on coverage, the same coverage needs to be offered to your COBRA members and your Retiree members.
 
 
We need your help:
 
If BenefitHelp Solutions is your administrator for COBRA, Retiree or Premium Administration, please complete the Adult Child Information and Questionnaire and return it to BHS by June 15th.
 
We want to update our records to ensure you are in compliance with COBRA regulations and that we are providing accurate eligibility for your members.
 
If you have questions, please call your Service Representative.