Summer 2005, Vol. 1, No. 3 | Back to Index

Dependent and Student Benefits

Kids off to college in the fall? Kids NOT off to college in the fall? Read more for important information regarding health and dental insurance benefits for your dependent—or not so dependent—children.

How long can my children remain on my insurance plans?

The MBL’s Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Delta Dental (DD) group contracts cover your unmarried dependent children until age 19, as well as their unmarried dependent children under 19 years. BCBS covers full-time students to a maximum age of 25; student coverage ends when the student turns either 25, marries, or on November 1st following the date the student discontinues full-time classes or graduates, whichever comes first. Delta Dental covers full-time students to age 23; student coverage ends when the student discontinues full-time classes.

If an unmarried dependent child is either mentally or physically handicapped upon reaching 19 years, special arrangements can be made for your child to continue coverage with BCBS and DD under your family plan.

What options are available when my children no longer qualify?

If your child is no longer eligible to remain on your family insurance plan for any of the above reasons (i.e., age, graduation, etc.), you should contact the Human Resources Office within 60 days of the date of loss. Under the provisions of federal legislation called “COBRA” (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986), your child may be able to continue participating in the same group health and/or dental insurance program for up to 36 months. More information on COBRA, including current monthly premiums for 2005, is available on-line at http://www.mbl.edu/inside/what/human_resources/toolkit/hr_cobra.html (for MBL employees only).

Some insurance companies offer “non-group” or “direct pay” insurance programs, and while the benefits may not be as rich as the MBL-sponsored plans (i.e., high deductibles and co-payments, no prescription coverage, limited network availability, etc.) sometimes these can be good stop-gap alternatives for your child. If you are looking for alternate sources of non-group coverage, check out the websites in the blue box above.