Very recently the phone lines here at IBD have begun to ring off the hook with calls from parents who received a letter from their insurance company to verify college enrollment status of their adult child.

When it comes to adult children and health insurance, the child must be actively enrolled in college to continue coverage on their parent’s health insurance plan.

Many parents will send verification of their student’s enrollment status, but for those parents whose children decided not to return to school, the letter evoke panic! Suddenly, they are faced with the fear that by November 1st, their child may not have health insurance coverage.

However, there are options:

An individual health insurance plan: Individual health insurance plans for healthy young people are quite affordable. A health insurance agent can help you find a plan that is perfectly suited for your budget and the type of coverage you desire. If you are in North Carolina, and we will find a plan that fits your family.

A job with health insurance benefits: If your child is working, now is the time to explore the health insurance plans offered by their employer. Many employers offer enrollment to currently employees only during a yearly open enrollment period. If this is the case, you may consider an individual plan in the interim, or COBRA coverage until the next open enrollment session. For kids that aren’t yet working, this is the perfect reason for them to find a job before November 1.

COBRA: A COBRA plan allows the child to continue to their current health insurance for up to 18 months at a higher premium. COBRA is ideal for adult children who may have health issues that would result in very high individual health insurance plan rates or for those waiting for an open enrollment opportunity at their employer.

Tags: Health Insurance //