Health Insurance Industry Wins Concessions on Covering Children

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Updated: 9:08 AM Jul 29, 2010 Health Insurance Industry Wins Concessions on Covering Children WASHINGTON (AP) The health insurance industry has won a concession from the Obama administration on insurance coverage for children. Posted: 9:08 AM Jul 29, 2010

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July 29, 2010

The health insurance industry has won a concession from the Obama administration on insurance coverage for children.

The Health and Human Services Department said Wednesday that insurers can set limited sign-up periods for a new kind of guaranteed coverage that is available to children regardless of medical problems.

Insurers were concerned the new health care law would allow parents to sign their kids up in emergency rooms while the child is in the middle of a health crisis.

The administration now says insurers can limit the sign-up to an "open enrollment" period, for example, December 1 to December 31 for plans that start January 1.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said it's "extremely pleased" with the decision.

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Posted by: Roger Location: CA on Aug 1, 2010 at 01:36 PM

If this "open enrollment period" is literally one small window each year--like group health plans have--that would be completely outrageous!! I could understand requiring a BRIEF waiting period, such as a week or two, before coverage is effective to avoid the "calling from the ER waiting room" situation, but a single annual period makes no sense, and could result in leaving families exposed for MONTHS after a loss of a job/end of COBRA or other event resulting in the need for the coverage.

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