Sept. 03--Millions of 20-somethings who became uninsured after falling off their parents' health plans can regain coverage soon as a key provision of the federal health care overhaul law takes effect.
As the open enrollment season begins, parents will be able to include grown children up to age 26 on their coverage.
The new law goes into effect Sept. 23 and requires insurers and companies to offer the coverage as part of the open enrollment period, the time of year when health plan subscribers can change plans and coverage.
State workers and other public employees covered by CalPERS health plans will be among the first to take advantage of the new rule, as open enrollment begins later this month.
As many as 8.8 million young adults between the ages of 19 and 25 were uninsured in 2008, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
In California, about 1.3 million in that age group could benefit from the new rule, according to Young Invincibles, an advocacy group pushing to expand health insurance coverage among the country's young.
"When you have economic times like these, it's critical (for young people) to have that sense of security while they are looking for gainful employment," said Ari Matusiak, who chairs Young Invincibles, which formed last summer during the pitched debate over national health care overhaul.
While some states have raised the age ceiling, California was not one of them.
"The new provision is particularly important for a state like California that didn't have an extended dependent coverage law," said Aaron Smith, the executive director of Young Invincibles.
The country's biggest insurers and some of the companies they serve have already agreed to implement the federal law early, at the option of the companies they insure.
Valicia Franklin, a senior program associate for AARP, found relief in July when AARP decided to extend its coverage to her 19-year-old daughter.
Her daughter lost her coverage in December because of her age.
"It was extreme relief," Franklin said. "What if something happens to your child?"
AARP might seem like an unlikely ally in the push to spread the word on the new rule, but "parents and grandparents care about their children," said Ernie Powell, the associate director for AARP's California office.
As companies begin their open enrollment periods, AARP wants parents to know that they now have options to help their grown children.
The California Public Employees' Retirement System, which is kicking off its four-week open enrollment period on Sept. 13, is also taking strides to educate its members about the key change.
The open enrollment period is typically the only time when significant changes can be made.
"The word is getting out there," said Bill Madison, a CalPERS spokesman.
So it's crucial, Madison said, for CalPERS members to consider their options carefully.
Typically, dependents who aren't bound for college have been pushed off their parents' policies soon after graduating from high school.
Those who go on to college have usually been dropped after reaching age 23.
Many have remained uninsured until finding a job with benefits.
"The overwhelming majority of young people -- want coverage but are generally low-income or work in jobs that don't offer coverage," said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a consumer health advocacy group.
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Call The Bee's Bobby Caina Calvan, (916) 321-1067.
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