Jan 1, 2008 Change to Definition of "Dependent" - MN Insurance Law
Change to Definition of "Dependent" for Insured Plans Subject to Minnesota Insurance Law
June 25, 2007
As part of an omnibus health and human services bill passed recently in Minnesota, insured plans subject to Minnesota insurance law will soon be required to have an expanded definition of eligible dependents. Under the new legislation, the definition of a non-spouse "dependent" will be essentially "an unmarried child under the age of 25."
Dependent Definition Changes
The omnibus bill requires these changes effective January 1, 2008, and applies to coverage offered, sold, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
Prior to the passage of this bill, Minnesota Statute Chapter 62E, cited as "the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Insurance Act" stipulated that "dependent" in an insured plan be defined as "a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 19 years, a dependent child who is a student under the age of 25, or a dependent child of any age who is disabled." The new legislation removes the stipulation that a child who is 19 or older, but under the age of 25, be a student.
Similarly, prior to the passage of the bill, Minnesota Statute Chapter 62L, cited as "the Minnesota Small Employer Health Benefit Act" stipulated that "dependent" of an insured plan for small employers be defined as "an eligible employee’s spouse, unmarried child who is under the age of 19 years, unmarried child under the age of 25 years who is a full-time student . . . , dependent child of any age who is disabled . . ., or any other person whom state or federal law requires to be treated as a dependent for purposes of health plans." Again, this new legislation removes the stipulation that a child who is 19 or older, but under the age of 25, be a full-time student.
This means that beginning in 2008, insured plans subject to these two laws must accept as covered individuals the children of eligible employees who are under age 25, whether or not they are students.
See MN Chamber of Commerce for more information.
Back to resources.