Federal law requires that every policy providing coverage for a dependent child extends coverage up to what age?

Federal law requires that every policy providing coverage for a dependent child extends coverage up to what age?

• A. Up to age 26 (through age 25) including natural, adopted, married or unmarried children, with no requirement for full-time student status.
• B. Up to age 24.
• C. Dependent children must be enrolled as full-time students.
• D. Only natural children are covered.

Answer: (A)

The important idea here is that under federal law, most health insurance plans must extend dependent coverage until the child’s 26th birthday. This means the policy must cover natural, adopted, married or unmarried children up to that age, and there’s no requirement that the child be a full-time student to stay on the policy. Coverage ends when the child turns 26, unless the plan already offers a longer extension. So the statement that coverage goes up to age 26 (through age 25) with no full-time student requirement best captures how the rule works.

The important idea here is that under federal law, most health insurance plans must extend dependent coverage until the child’s 26th birthday. This means the policy must cover natural, adopted, married or unmarried children up to that age, and there’s no requirement that the child be a full-time student to stay on the policy. Coverage ends when the child turns 26, unless the plan already offers a longer extension. So the statement that coverage goes up to age 26 (through age 25) with no full-time student requirement best captures how the rule works.