(Part 2)
IN THE last article, we discussed the importance of obtaining health insurance coverage for our children. We mentioned that children with health insurance generally do well in school and learn better than uninsured children. Additionally, when uninsured children are admitted to the ER, 60% of them are more likely to die than insured children. There is no reason why we should let children remain uninsured. Neither poverty nor immigration issues of either child or parent should pose as obstacles. We briefly discussed the other options available and encouraged parents or guardians to check them out.
The most recent changes to our health care law also emphasize the importance of obtaining health insurance coverage for children. Starting on in September 2010 the following changes to the law will take effect:
1) Health insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to children seeking insurance, or deny treatment to children already covered, due to pre-existing conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or even chronic ear infections).
2) Insurance companies will be required to allow young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26, even though they are not full-time students.
3) Insurance companies won’t be allowed to drop people when they get sick (a common practice called “rescission” and which has been discussed in our previous articles).
4) Insurance companies will not be allowed to limit the lifetime dollar value of coverage, which is important for kids with lifelong conditions like diabetes or asthma or serious health problems like cancer.
5) Insurance companies will have to cover immunizations and other preventive health services for infants, children, and adolescents, at no cost to families.
6) Children who are enrolled with the Healthy Families Program and Medi-Cal are protected and won’t lose coverage even if the state has a deficit.
To benefit from these new changes, parents must note the following:
• You must get your child enrolled between January 1, 2011 and March 1, 2011. If you wait, you could face higher premiums. If you miss the March 1st deadline, you may ask the insurer about other options available.
• You can choose to change your child’s health plan once a year, during the month they were born (this is called an “open enrollment period”).
• You must keep your child continually insured. You could face as much as 20% penalty surcharge if you let your child’s coverage lapse.
• If your child is denied health coverage in California for any reason, call the CA Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-HELP (1-800-927-4357).
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C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully obtained significant results, including several million dollar recoveries for consumers against insurance companies and big business. He is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum—a prestigious group of trial lawyers whose membership is limited to those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, experience and excellence in advocacy. He has been featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements for his professional accomplishments and recipient of numerous awards from community and media organizations. His litigation practice concentrates in the following areas: serious personal injuries, wrongful death, insurance claims, unfair business practices, wage and hour (overtime) litigation. You can visit his website at www.joesayas law.com or contact his office by telephone at (818) 291-0088.
(Advertising Supplement)
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