Issues with health insurance coverage for stepchildren in college?

Question

Anyone who has had issues getting stepchildren health insurance coverage thru their stepparents company..where the requirement is to be Fulltime student (given) AND must be a dependant on Tax Return..in order to keep coverage? My 20 yr. has now been dropped retroactive to 12/07 and can not get Cobra cuz too much time has laspe. Policy changed a couple years ago..news to employees; company now auditing. Biological children, Foster kids and kids of same s*x partners to not even have to meet this requirement. How can that be? Any regualtions that say that is not allowed? Help!

Answer 1

No, there's no regulation that says it's not allowed.

But it's no different for biokids, or foster kids, or kids of same s*x partners - they have to be a minor, or a full time student AND a tax dependent.    They aren't singling out stepkids.

Answer 2

If the Summary Plan Document states that a stepchild must be claimed on taxes to be eligible, then its not illegal for the employer to enforce that.

More and more employers are doing dependent eligibility audits.

I could rattle off a dozen or so large national employers that require stepchildren to be claimed on taxes in order to be eligible as a dependent.  Its not really an unusual requirement.

Answer 3

Are you positive that it is only stepchildren?  

Some policies do have the stipulation that the child must be claimed on the parents income tax.  Unfortunately the insurance company doesn't check the child's status until there is a claim - then a letter goes out requesting the required documentation, full time student, and tax return.  

So, people who's children are still on the policy might just not have had a claim that triggered the paperwork to check status.  

If it truly is just step-children that are being prejudiced, then call your state insurance commission and they will be able to direct you.