Q: My daughter turned 22 in March, so her insurance on my policy through the Defense Department (Blue Cross) expired. Since the new health care reform bill extends coverage to age 26, but does not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2011, how does that affect her? Can she be reinstated on Jan. 1st to our current health insurance coverage as she previously was?
A: During the interim, she would be able to enroll as an individual under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage provision, for which she would pay 100 percent of the monthly premiums plus 2 percent for administrative costs. As of Jan. 1, 2011, she would once more be a dependent on your self and family enrollment. Note: OPM is attempting to get Congress to allow the extended coverage provision to be implemented sooner than the law now allows. It’s unclear whether they will be successful.
