The Empire State now will permit unmarried children to get dependent coverage through their parents' group plans through age
New York Gov. David Paterson, D, has signed S. 6030, a law that expands eligibility for the dependent coverage benefits available through state-regulated group health plans.
The new law, which takes effect Sept. 1, makes dependent coverage available to young adult children even if the children are not financially dependent on their parents, according to a legislative memo summarizing the bill.
To stay eligible for coverage through their parents, the young adults must live, work or reside in New York state, or in the service area of the insurer, and they must not be eligible for Medicare or for employer-sponsored health coverage.