What is the MIA allowing health insurers to raise the dependent coverage to?

Health insurers writing policies in Maryland can change their forms to say “age 26,” instead of “age 25,” for their dependent coverage without the prior approval of the Maryland Insurance Administration. “To extend the coverage to the greatest number of dependents as the soonest possible date, it has been determined that a form filing will not be required at this time,” states MIA Bulletin 10-14, signed by Brenda A. Wilson, associate commissioner of the life and health section at the MIA. Several insurance companies have indicated their intent to implement the change sooner, thus preventing a coverage gap for dependents, including college students. These dependents may not qualify to remain on their parent’s plan until the September effective date of the new age 26 federal mandate. The MIA agreed to permit insurers to act without the usual form approvals to smooth out the variance between state law, which requires coverage for dependent children to age 25, and the health care reform requirement. To employ the exemption, carriers must be following current state law on dependents and should substitute “age 26” for “age 25” on forms. The insurers must be prepared to file a form when the Secretary of Health and Human Services promulgates regulations regarding the definition of a dependent and must notify the MIA of its intent to cover dependents to age 26, according to Wilson’s notice.
http://ifawebnews.com/2010/06/01/mia-allows-health-insurers-to-tweak-forms-to-26-without-approval/

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