You are here: Home Insurance Health Insurance ... Dependent ... Who is Considered To Be ...
Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

Dependent Coverage 101

Who is Considered To Be A "Dependent" For Health Insurance Purposes

Next » « Previous

2/4

Following are the people who can be considered to be a dependent for health insurance purposes:

  • Husband/Wife
    • Divorced and/or separated spouses may be covered under COBRA
  • Children. 
    • Children generally includes children born to the insured and to children who are legally adopted by the insured.
    • Children born to, or adopted by, the insured during the policy term are generally automatically covered.
    • There is usually a cut off age beyond which a person is no longer considered to be a "dependent" for health insurance purposes. 
      • The exact age depends on the particular policy. Some policies extend coverage beyond the threshhold age so long as the child is in school, including through the college level. Even policies which cover through college, generally have a cut off age, such as 21. 
      • Children under age 26 are eligible for dependent coverage regardless of their educational status - provided they do not have a job that offers health insurance.
    • Children who become disabled while a dependent under a parent's group health plan can usually remain covered even after they reach the age when they would normally be dropped from coverage. Generally the insurance company has to be provided proof of disability.
  • Significant others
    • More and more policies, particularly group health insurance policies, cover significant others. The definition of significant other varies from policy to policy.




To Learn More

More Information

COBRA

Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments

 

Post a Comment Have something to add to this topic? Contact Us.

Characters remaining:

  • Allowed markup: <a> <i> <b> <em> <u> <s> <strong> <code> <pre> <p>
    All other tags will be stripped.