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Health insurance changes in 2010

stepoff's picture

I just called our health insurance company to verify coverage for SD20. She is no longer in school therefore no longer covered under our insurance. Yet we continue to receive declined bills from the insurance company for her doctors' visits. The insurance company will no longer pay these claims.

I was told by the insurance rep that beginning in 2010, ANY DEPENDENT, WHETHER IN SCHOOL OR NOT, WILL BE COVERED UNDER THEIR PARENT'S INSURANCE THROUGH THE AGE OF 26!!! Can you believe that? 26! I was under the impression that the age of 18 was the age of majority and unless they are in school, they can not be covered under the parental inruance policy. Apparently, this is all changing next year. (BTW-this is BCBS of Illinois).

The reason this is upsetting me right now is because we have had to pay for some of SD20's bills earlier this year in order to keep our credit good. She has a habit of visiting doctors, ordering prescriptions, ordering tests, etc., and not paying the deductible for them. I don't want these bills to go into collections (because DH is the primary on the policy) and it would ruin his/our credit rating. I don't want any child to be without insurance, but SHE'S AN ADULT! WTF!

So my question is: what constitutes a "dependent"? How is she considered a dependent if she's not in school? If she's over 18, out of school and working, how does that make her "dependent"? And can BM force us to take her back on our insurance if BM can also take her on BM's insurance? I swear, if this goes through, she's going to have to sign some sort of agreement that she pays her own share or gets cut off. Just last month I breathed a sigh of relief thinking that this was FINALLY over. WRONG!

Comments

Stick's picture

Hey Crayon - Never mind - found it... there are some restrictions, the person must be unmarried, not eligible for job health insurance and working in New York State...!

*** A rainbow just threw up on me... and now I'm sh*tting glitter! ***

stepoff's picture

Well WTF! How do I get rid of this insurance nightmare? Ha, Healthcare reform my butt!

stepoff's picture

YES! And how about putting a leash on the hospitals and not allowing them to charge $12 for a Tylenol! Or $8 for a diaper change. Gimme a break.

mommommom's picture

I would drop the insurance and make sure to call the doctor's office and let them know that SD will be responsible for her own bills. Get them out of your DH's name. I feel like a child who is over 18, but not in school should have a job. So some of job if they are capable of working. Maybe a little harsh, but I can't see carrying someone who is perfectly capable of working and not in school.... That is just an opinion.

Angel72's picture

WHy is this possible? 26 , 29 are not children. They are ADULTS.
I live in canada, and it CLEARLY states that the minute , the day the said child turns 18, EVERYTHING IS CUT OFF. No funding from provincial or federal. The child is a legal adult and has to attain their own personal insurance or pay through taxes. Now if they live with youall you can do is claim them as dependants...but i cannot put anyone above 18 , not even my own kids. 18 is the big cut off for us. CS, thats a diff matter, depending on details, divorce decree, if said kid has job, not lving with mom.etc.et.c.its all diff depending on sit...but CS cut off it at 24....the include average years of university for support. Though at 18, you can go to court to reduce the amount and direct it into the adult child account. So mommy sees nothign after 18.

stepoff's picture

I just called my mother about this (I'm getting really po'ed), and she also said that a DEPENDENT has to be LIVING WITH YOU. So I think that if she lives with BM then BM would have to add her to her insurance, not us. I also just pulled the divorce paperwork. Turns out that DH was supposed to provide health insurance until the age of 18!!! She's 20!!! GRRRRRRR! Steam is coming from my ears. I'll be working with the insurance company to straighten this all out TODAY.

Angel72's picture

oh yah, becareful, Insurance companies also have their own small fine print. In our situation bm wanted my dh to carry them on insurance. So i placed them on mine because i could. But when it came time to claim the money itself, They then askedthe question do we have full custody and i said no....then they are not covered in any way. BM was PIST. But it was proven illegal and i checked 4 other insurance companies for my dh to take up and they all said the same thing, do you have custody and do they live with you and it must be full time...he said no..they said sorry, tell your ex to get coverage.

Totalybogus's picture

I don't think this is going to change when the domestic court system deems the children to be adults per the individual state law regarding child support.

I actually don't have a problem with this. I have a 20 year old daughter that cannot afford insurance and I WISH I could add her to my policy until she is able to carry it on her own.

stepoff's picture

You know, I wouldn't have a problem keeping her on the insurance either. But the fact that she took the entire summer off this year and last just to get her 'vacation time' into her schedule just irks me (how can she afford vacations but not her own medical deductibles???). She is completely capable of doing for herself but chooses to latch onto daddy for any financial needs (and wants) she has.

Angel72's picture

Its clear, the divorce contract clearly defines it. She is covered till 18. Refuse all bills now. If you paid any of the half, unfortunately it will be seen as your choice to give that money given the divorce decree.
SD sounds very entitled and lazy considering she is not working....time for a very RUDE awakening....
You guys are legally covered now. She is 20. D papers states dh covers till 18...end of story. Its bm's problem now and sd problem for the bills.
I hope you didn't lose any money!!!!

stepoff's picture

That's what I'm thinking. She should have been dropped at 18 (would have saved us some money) but as for now, she's off the policy. I also called the insurance company and get this ... she doesn't have to reside with us to be covered! UGH! So I guess it will be up to DH whether he puts her back on the insurance or not. Great.

Angel72's picture

Just reread your first post.
Dependant : a child or young adult 18 or so who resides under one or both biological parents.
BM to force you to have her on your insurance: NO!!!!
Divorce papers you pulled out clearly state dh pays med insurance until age 18.
So, its now bm's issue. Because if your sd is living iwth her, then she is her dependant. Just like my 2 stepkids live with their mother, they are her dependants and only she has the legal right to add them anywhere or claim them on taxes.....
If your sd doesn't live with you, she is NOT a dependant for anything! SHe must reside with you FULL time, you must be the legal gaurdian of the said child. This is how my skids were removed from my plan. The were not legally mine and theya re not legally my husbands. he pays CS but has visitation rights, not custody rights. Insurance company can see your claims as fraud. Be careful.

stepoff's picture

That's what I thought, but after talking with the health insurance rep, she stated that SD doesn't have to live with us to be considered a dependent. I think it depends on the actual policy that is in effect. All policies are different. But I agree with you. If she's living with BM, BM should have her on her insurance, not us. My only saving grace will be if DH doesn't figure out that he can put her back on next year. I'm certainly not going to bring it up. If he does figure it out, I'm going to use the "resides with BM" arguement. Seems only fair after all of the cs he's shoveled out over the years. Geez, I just want to retire the 'money shovel' already. It's time!

imagr8tma's picture

I would go with what the court order states. If it says 18 - drop her off and don't even look back.

What is BM going to do - take you back to court and SD is 20 years old. Come on!

********She doesn't have to love me or even like me - it doesn't change a dang thing..... So get over it and move on BM!************

Angel72's picture

If your dh puts her back on its due to guilt and nothing else. LEGALLY you are covered according to his divorce decree. Bring him the damn papers if he tries to put her back on and tell him. sorry we need the money, you agreed according to contract to have her on till 18 and you kept her till 20 almost age 21. So you did your part and more. She lives with BM and she is now an adult. She should get health insurance on her own and not even from her mother if you ask me!
She's an adult. PERIOD.
Tell your dh, i know you lvoe your duaghter...but she is an adult, we need the money , she doesn't live with us. no insurance for her. Seh can get her own.You paid more than your fair share for her.
I'm guessing for you to worry about dh putting her back on because he gets guilted right? does bm still have control over your dh or guilt him in any way???