Do you have a high school- or a college-age dependent? If so, you may have some questions about when coverage ends after graduation.
Unmarried qualified dependents are covered until the age specified in your Schedule of Benefits. In most cases, coverage continues until the end of the year in which the
dependent turns 19. If the dependent graduates before age 19, coverage will continue until he or she reaches age 19.
If the dependent marries or is on active duty in the military, coverage ends on the date of marriage or the date called to active duty, even if the dependent has not reached age 19. For dependents over age 19, Dean Health Plan mails out a yearly questionnaire to evaluate the eligibility of dependents who are full-time students. In order for your dependent to qualify for insurance beyond age 19 as a full-time student, he or she must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a qualified dependent (biological child, adopted child, stepchild).
- Be a registered full-time student in an accredited post-high, academic, professional or trade school. Normally this requires 12 or more credits per semester. Dean Health Plan will follow the full-time criteria as established by the school registrar’s office.
- Provide less than 50 percent of his or her own financial support.
- Be unmarried.
- Not be on active military duty.
If all of these criteria are not met, coverage will end at the end of the year in most cases. However, if your child marries or enters the military on active-duty status, coverage will be terminated on that day.
It is your responsibility to notify your employer and Dean Health Plan of any changes that might affect your coverage. Failure to do so may result in the loss of any continuation rights that may be available to your dependent once coverage is lost.
Please see your Schedule of Benefits and Member Certificate for the specific language that pertains to your dependents. If you need a copy or have questions regarding your coverage, please visit www.deancare.com or call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-279-1301 or 1-608-828-1301.
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