BlueCross to Issue Child Plans Once Again

The Affordability Act had brought good news to children with pre-exiting medical condition. They could now no longer be denied coverage due to their health condition. But what if there were no child-alone policies? This is the alternative that Blue Cross devised in response to the new reforms.

Amid fears that parents will wait to get coverage until their children got sick, the company had stopped issuing child-alone individual plans. There were concerns that the healthcare reforms barring them from discriminating against sick children will encourage parents to postpone getting coverage till they actually need it .

But Blue Cross Blue Shield has now decided to resume the sale of new policies after the White House issued new regulatory guidance on Tuesday. The Obama administration declared that it will establish an annual enrolment period for Child Only policies to ensure that children have access to comprehensive care all through the year. The new guidelines also clarify that plans are free to set up specific enrolment periods if allowed by Florida state laws. The new rules will be applicable from September 23.

The announcement has come as a relief to Blue Cross and has put all its concerns to rest. This was confirmed by Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director, and Office of Health Reform. She said, “We were concerned when last week, some indicated that insurance companies would choose to stop offering policies for children rather than cover kids with pre-existing conditions.”

The Administration has released new guidance to health insurance plans. The insurance companies have the liberty to establish an open enrolment period for children with existing medical conditions. However there will be regulations if insurance companies unfairly limit access to children who need it the most.