News Release
May 3, 2010
HMSA to preserve health coverage for young adults earlier than required by new federal health care provision
Laura Lott
(808) 952-7566
laura_lott@hmsa.com
The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) today announced it will allow hundreds
of young adults in the Islands to remain covered on their parent’s health
plan before a new federal health care provision goes into effect in September.
Health care reform legislation signed into law last month will make health coverage
available to adult children up to age 26 beginning Sept. 23, 2010. HMSA, an independent
licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), joined other Blue
plans across the country recently in committing to implement the provision by June 1, 2010.
After reviewing the law, HMSA recognized that young people might lose their health
coverage in the months ahead because of their age, graduation from school, or a
change in student status. To bridge the gap between the end of the school year and
the September timeframe in the federal law, HMSA decided to implement this important
provision earlier than required.
“At HMSA, we’re working hard to make the implementation of the new health
care reform law as seamless as possible,” said Robert P. Hiam, HMSA president
and chief executive officer. “We’re pleased to be able to take this
action, which we believe will enhance and preserve coverage for many young people
in our community.”
Parents will be able to continue their dependents’ coverage until age 26 if
the parent is enrolled in one of HMSA’s employer groups plans or individual
plans. The dependent cannot have other coverage from an employer group.
For young adult dependents under age 26 who may have left their parent’s group
or individual plan due to an age requirement, HMSA will allow them to re-enroll
in their parent’s plan for a limited time. Thereafter, enrollment changes
will be subject to regular open enrollment guidelines.
For more information, members can call HMSA Customer Relations at (808) 948-6111
on Oahu. From the Neighbor Island, members may call 1 (800) 620-4672 toll-free.
HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is
governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health
care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large.
HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Nationally,
HMSA and 38 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to
more than 100 million members.
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