Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Implements Reform
Coverage Extended to Young Adults in Time for College Graduation
Richardson, TX — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has made the voluntary decision to expedite a provision of the new reform law and will allow dependents currently covered under their parent's health plan to stay on the plan until the age of 26. Instead of implementing the change on September 23, 2010, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas plans to extend the coverage by May 1, 2010 — in time to benefit this spring's college graduates.
"In this challenging economy, we understand that early implementation of this provision would provide a significant benefit to young adults," said Darren Rodgers, president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. "We knew we would make the change in September, so we felt confident that we could move up our deadline."
Once the gap in coverage is closed, young adults currently covered under their parent's health plan will be able to stay on their parent's health plans until the age of 26, regardless of student status, marital status, or employment.
The provision does not apply to self-insured businesses, or to collectively bargained groups. However, if these groups wish to extend coverage to dependents under the age of 26 before the required implementation, we will help facilitate the change in policy.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 4.5 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. HCSC is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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For More Information Contact:
- News Media Contact: margaret_jarvis@bcbstx.com, (972) 766-7165
- Corporate Headquarters: (972) 766-6900
