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New Health Care Rules for City of Columbus Employees

Both the federal government, through the Affordable Care Act, and the state government, through the budget that was passed in July of 2009, have passed legislation allowing older age children to remain covered under their parents’ coverage. The federal and state laws are not exactly the same. The federal law requires plans to extend the eligibility age for dependents to age 26. Under state law, the employee must be allowed to pay for extending coverage for their child until the child turns 28.

If you are an employee who is considering adding an adult child to the City of Columbus health insurance plan, please refer to the questions and answers listed below for additional information.  Should you have additional questions, please call the City of Columbus Employee Benefits hotline at 645-8624.

What are the eligibility requirements for my child to be covered under the City of Columbus health plan?

Under federal law, the child may be married or unmarried and must:
(1) be the child of the covered employee as defined under the plan or policy
(2) have not yet reached their 26th birthday
(3) not have their own employer coverage available.

Under state law, the child must be unmarried and:
(1) the natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the insured, subscriber or covered employee;
(2) have not yet reached their 28th birthday
(3) a resident of this state or a full-time student at an accredited public or private institution of higher education;
(4) not employed by an employer that offers any health benefit plan under which the child is eligible for coverage, and
(5) not eligible for coverage under Medicaid or Medicare.

When will I be able to add my child to the City of Columbus health plan?

Employees will be able to add eligible adult children to the plan on February 1, 2011.  Although the federal law began on September 23, 2010 and the state law on July 1, 2010, both allowed for the extension coverage to start on the first day of the following plan year renewal of February 1, 2011.

How can I enroll my child for the insurance coverage?

Human Resources will be conducting an open enrollment during the month of January 2011.  Additional information will be communicated to you later this year.

My child turns 23 in November.  Can I keep her on my plan until the new law becomes effective?

No. The City’s eligibility requirements remain the same until the new laws becomes effective for the City of Columbus on February 1, 2011. The child will be removed from the plan on her birthday.  COBRA is available to them until February 1, 2011.

Is there an additional cost for me to add my adult child on my plan?

For coverage up to age 26, in compliance with the federal law, there will no additional cost to the employee.  For coverage between age 26 and age 28 under state law, there will be an additional premium cost to the employee per each additional child.  Additional information will be communicated later this year.

When my child reaches the limiting age of 26 under the federal policy, will I be able to continue coverage under the state policy?

When your child reaches the limiting age of 26 under the federal policy, you will be able to continue the state coverage extension until age 28. 

When my child reaches age 28 and is no longer eligible under the state policy, is my child eligible to elect COBRA?

Yes, your child will be able to elect COBRA. Please contact your HR representative to request a COBRA notice.

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