Almost Empty Nester

Dear Linda,
I cover my two daughters, ages 22 and 24 on my group plan.  My older daughter now has health insurance from her job.  I won’t save any money until I can drop both girls from the plan.  Should I drop my older daughter even though it doesn’t cost me anything to have her on my plan?

Almost Empty Nester

Dear Almost Empty Nester,
Your first step is to make sure that your group plan is actually still covering your employed daughter.  If it existed on March 23, 2010 (the day federal health reform became law), then your plan can refuse to cover her because she has an employer-sponsored health plan offered to her.
If your plan is still covering your employed daughter, then it’s fine to have her covered by two plans at the same time.  Her employer’s plan will pay first, and then yours.  This is called “coordination of benefits”.
When your younger daughter gets her own insurance, then you can drop both children.  (and go do something wild, wooly, but not health-hazardous with the money you save!

 

Linda Riddell

About Linda Riddell

A published author and health policy analyst with 25 years’ experience, Linda Riddell's goal is to alleviate the widespread ailment of not knowing what your health plan can do for you.