The bill amends Section 27-18-59 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-18, titled "Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies," to expand eligibility for children's benefits under health benefit plans. The amendment includes a new provision that requires coverage to be available for children, including those under guardianship, until they reach 26 years of age. It also specifies that children under the care of a court-appointed guardian who is a plan participant or subscriber shall have the same eligibility rights as a natural-born child of the plan participant or subscriber. The bill prohibits health insurance carriers from denying or restricting coverage for a child under 26 based on financial dependency, residency, marital status, student status, employment, or eligibility for other coverage, with certain exceptions for grandfathered health plans before January 1, 2014.

The bill also clarifies that the terms of coverage for dependent children cannot vary based on age, except for those 26 years or older, and outlines the types of insurance coverage to which this section does not apply, such as hospital confinement indemnity and long-term care, among others. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, and aims to ensure that insurers provide coverage to children under the guardianship of an insured individual.

Statutes affected:
1121: 27-18-59