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February 4, 2012

Health Care Reform Alert: Young Adult Coverage up to Age 26

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, ("PPACA") young adults up to age 26 are eligible for coverage under their parent/guardian's health care plans, regardless of marital status, dependent status, student status, or residency. Although this provision does not apply to stand-alone dental or vision insurance, Delta Dental of Iowa will allow young adults up to age 26 to be covered under their parent/guardian's policies.

Delta Dental will implement the expanded coverage depending on the type of dental plan listed below:

  • Small "Pooled" Group (2 to 50 eligible employees) - Effective January 1, 2011, Delta Dental will provide benefits to any adult child up to age 26 that is included in the eligibility data provided by a small group employer.

  • Large Fully-Insured and Self-Funded Groups (50+ eligible employees) - Effective immediately, during the renewal process, Delta Dental will offer employer groups the opportunity to add coverage for adult children up to age 26. Should an employer wish to add this benefit prior to their next renewal period, please contact your Delta Dental representative at 1-877-423-3582. 

  • Individual Dental - Effective July 1, 2010, all individual subscribers will have the ability to add coverage for adult children up to age 26.

As a reminder, the Iowa Continuation of Adult Children Coverage regulation requires fully insured and self-funded public plans covered by Iowa Code Section 509A to cover adult children up to age 25. Should a large, fully-insured or self-funded public plan not elect to add coverage up to age 26, the Iowa regulation will still apply.

If you have additional questions, please contact your Delta Dental representative at 1-877-423-3582.