ICA Shaw Discusses the Extension of Benefits to Dependent Children and Its Effect on Parents - Part VI of Summer Healthcare Series

Department of Financial Services, Consumer eViews Volume 7 Number 29

July 16, 2010

Sean Shaw, Insurance Consumer Advocate

Navigating the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) can be a daunting task without guidance. In the previous installments of this series the Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate provided consumers with information related to various benefits and tools that will become available to consumers. In this edition, the Office will focus on the benefits that are available to parents and their dependent children because of the federal healthcare reforms.

The PPACA contains many benefits for parents and their dependent children. For instance, beginning this year health insurers are prohibited from discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions. As a result, parents can be assured that their children can obtain and maintain coverage regardless of their pre-existing condition. Parents will also receive other benefits for their children that will be available as a result of the PPACA, and they are as follows:

• The healthcare work force is being expanded to ensure that children will have access to providers near their area.
• Insurers are required to give parents who are enrolled in new plans the right to select their child’s pediatrician from any participating provider.
• Adult children up to the age of 26 will be covered under their parents’ health insurance plan, provided that coverage is not available to the dependent child.

As noted in prior installments of the summer series, additional changes will also be enacted in 2014 and beyond, including these future changes:

• In addition to covering all basic pediatric services, all new health plans will be required to cover oral, vision and auditory screenings for children.
• The PPACA will also extend long term funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through 2015. The increased funding for states will expand outreach efforts designed to increase the number of eligible children enrolled in the program.

As more information is available and additional changes become effective, the Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate will generate advisories regarding their effect on parents and children. More information regarding the PPACA can be found on the Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate’s website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/ica/federalhealthcare.asp.