Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a statement on Monday regarding HHS' efforts to expedite insurance coverage for graduating college seniors and young adults (under 26) in advance of the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which begins in September.

"Following our initial conversations and outreach to insurers, we are encouraged by the actions of WellPoint, UnitedHealthcare, and other companies to bridge the gap between now and the fall when the law becomes effective," Sebelius said. WellPoint, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN, UnitedHealthcare of Minneapolis, MN, and other insurers have announced they will take steps to address the gaps in coverage for young Americans.

"As a proactive measure to assist its members," WellPoint stated on Monday, "WellPoint's affiliated health plans, working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state regulators, will allow young men and women to remain on their parents' policies even before this health care reform provision takes effect. Beginning June 1, WellPoint's affiliated health plans will automatically retain these young individuals on their parents' policies in both fully insured group and individual health plans. Our self insured clients and members will have the option of not offering this extended coverage."
"We want students to graduate into a secure future, not the ranks of the uninsured, so we are working with employers to make sure these young adults have health coverage available to them ahead of the new requirements," said Gail Boudreaux, president of UnitedHealthcare, in a press release. "Accelerating the dependent coverage extension time line for our graduating student enrollees is another tangible step we are taking to help translate the new, complex health reform directives into workable reality." The UnitedHealthcare extension of coverage applies to college students currently are covered under their parents' UnitedHealthcare fully-insured health plan.

Sebelius also said HHS has sent letters to the insurers offering to "work with each of them to expand this opportunity even further."

Adapted in part from press releases from HHS, WellPoint and UnitedHealthcare.

Secretary Sebelius' remarks: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/04/20100419a.html

WellPoint's statement: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=130104&p=irol-newsArticle_general&t=Regular&id=1414498&

UnitedHealthcare's statement; http://www.uhc.com/news_room/2010_news_release_archive/health_coverage_for_college_grads.htm

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