Under a provision of Ohio House Bill 1 (OH HB1), for any policies renewing on or after July 1, 2010, Ohio employers will be required to allow employees the ability to request coverage for older age children up to the age of 28. To be eligible, the child must be:

1. unmarried;

2. the natural child, stepchild or adopted child of the employee;

3. an Ohio resident or a full-time student at an accredited public or private institution of higher education;

4. not employed by an employer that offers any health benefit plan under which the child is eligible for coverage; and

5. not eligible for coverage under Medicaid or Medicare.

Please note:

• The child does not have to live with the parent or be financially dependent upon the parent.
• If the child is not a resident of Ohio, the child must be a full-time student at an accredited college or university.
• If an employee chooses to cover an older age child, OH HB1 does not require the employer to pay any part of the premium.
• Parents will be able to request coverage for older age children on the policy’s first renewal date on or after July 1, 2010.

In accordance with OH HB1, any older age child that previously lost coverage and meets the above eligibility criteria can apply for coverage:

• when the child reaches the limiting age of their parent’s policy.
• when the child experiences a change in circumstances, i.e., losing employer-sponsored coverage.
• during the annual open enrollment period.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ENROLLING AN OLDER AGE CHILD, PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS CAMPISI AT BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, 614-336-2700.