§ 15-418. Child dependent coverage [Subject to amendment effective January 1, 2014; amended version follows this section]

   (a) Definitions. --

   (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   (2) "Carrier" means:

      (i) an insurer;

      (ii) a nonprofit health service plan; or

      (iii) a health maintenance organization.

   (3) "Child dependent" means an individual who:

      (i) is:

         1. the natural child, stepchild, adopted child, or grandchild of the insured;

         2. a child placed with the insured for legal adoption; or

         3. a child who is entitled to dependent coverage under § 15-403.1 of this subtitle;

      (ii) is a dependent of the insured as that term is used in 26 U.S.C. § 104, 105, and 106, and any regulations adopted under those sections;

      (iii) is unmarried; and

      (iv) is under the age of 25 years.

(b) Scope. --

   (1) This section applies to:

      (i) each policy of individual or group health insurance that is issued in the State;

      (ii) each contract that is issued in the State by a nonprofit health service plan; and

      (iii) each contract that is issued in the State by a health maintenance organization.

   (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, this section does not apply to:

      (i) a contract covering one or more, or any combination of the following:

         1. coverage only for loss caused by an accident;

         2. disability coverage;

         3. credit-only insurance; or

         4. long-term care coverage; or

      (ii) the following benefits if they are provided under a separate contract:

         1. dental coverage;

         2. vision coverage;

         3. Medicare supplement insurance;

         4. coverage limited to benefits for a specified disease or diseases;

         5. travel accident or sickness coverage; and

         6. fixed indemnity limited benefit insurance that does not provide benefits on an expense incurred basis.

(c) Child dependents to be included in policies. -- Each policy or contract subject to this section that provides coverage for dependents shall:

   (1) include coverage for a child dependent;

   (2) provide the same health insurance benefits to a child dependent that are available to any other covered dependent; and

   (3) provide health insurance benefits to a child dependent at the same rate or premium applicable to any other covered dependent.

(d) Section not limitation on other coverage. -- This section does not limit or alter any right to dependent coverage or to the continuation of coverage that is otherwise provided for in this article.

HISTORY: 2007, ch. 639.