Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act

Dependent Eligibility Update - FAQ's

As a result of the recently enacted Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act, employers who have fully insured medical insurance are required to allow coverage for qualified dependents of employees is to the earlier of the following:

• the day before the child's 26th birthday, OR
• two years after the child loses federal tax dependent status
• the child is a fulltime student until age 25, if not claimed as a dependent

The law does not apply to dental coverage; however, the Institution has decided to apply the dependent coverage change to our dental plan as well.

Under the new law:

• Full-time students and/or child federal tax dependents are eligible for family coverage until the day before their 26 th birthday
  
• Children who lose tax dependent status before their 26th birthday or who stop attending school on a full-time basis are eligible for a two-year (tax year) coverage extension under the family policy
  
• The two-year extension begins on January 1 of the year in which the dependent child loses tax dependent status or stops attending school on a full-time basis. It will last through the earlier of:
  

• December 31 of the second tax year, OR
• The day before the child's 26th birthday

During January 1 through January 31, you are able to enroll dependents who were previously ineligible for medical and/or dental coverage. The effective date of the new coverage will be January 1, 2007.

Please contact your Benefits Specialist for enrollment information.