SWHP Preventing Gaps in Coverage
SWHP Taking Steps to Prevent Gaps in Coverage
Scott & White Health Plan (SWHP) announced today it will take steps to prevent gaps in coverage that could affect young adults currently covered by SWHP.
Health care reform legislation extends the dependent age for coverage to 26 years old for plan years beginning September 23, 2010. This could potentially cause a gap in coverage during the months before the provision is fully implemented.
Therefore, beginning June 1, 2010 SWHP will allow young individuals currently on their parents' policy to remain on the plan until age 26. We will no longer automatically dis-enroll dependents as they turn 25, but rather will now wait until they turn 26. This would now include dependents who are married or not living with their parents.
For those dependents who may have been dropped from their parent's coverage for turning 25 on or after March 23, 2010 (the date the legislation was enacted), we will give them the opportunity to re-enroll on their parent's coverage upon the first renewal date of their plan following the effective date of the law, September 23, 2010.
This applies to our fully-insured employer group plans and our individual ‘Health Plus' plans. We recognize that some employers may ask SWHP to wait until the effective date of the legislation before implementing it for their employee population. We hope all employers will support us in our efforts to extend this benefit to all dependents.
"Extending coverage to age 26 prior to the required date will provide peace of mind to young adults who may be getting ready to graduate or are focused on a job search in a highly competitive market. We're making sure that Texas young adults don't experience a gap in coverage," said Allan Einboden, CEO of Scott & White Health Plan.
About Scott & White Health Plan
Scott & White Health Plan is a privately owned, not-for-profit community-based health plan affiliated with its sponsoring organizations Scott & White Clinic and Hospital. SWHP provides coverage to over 220,000 central and west Texans via a network of more than 2,000 providers and 31 hospitals. Visit us online at ....