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Coverage for Over-Age Student Dependents
Jun 22nd, 2017
Happy summer everyone! School is winding down and with warmer weather, vacations and summer jobs on the go, about the last thing on any student’s mind is their eligibility for benefits. For most programs through insurers in Canada, you don’t need to worry up to the age of 21, however after age 21 everything changes.
Do you have an over age dependent full-time student? You don’t want to miss out on ongoing group coverage and this is something you can do now to save you one last minute detail during back to school bedlam in the fall.
When your dependent reaches the age of 21, it is very important to confirm their status with your insurer. Although specifics differ by insurer and by employer, in general terms, dependent children over the age of 21 may be eligible for continued group benefits if they are a full-time student up to and in some cases inclusive of age 25 (26 in Quebec).
If this coverage is available on your plan, it is not automatic. Insurers will usually terminate coverage at age 21 or by the end of August each school year unless they receive proof or confirmation of qualifying student status for the upcoming school year. Rarely do you receive notice of this termination of coverage, leaving you unaware until there is a declined claim. To avoid this hardship and inconvenience, take the time now to review your plan and find out how to update your over age dependent’s status. This needs to be done every year while they are students, up to your plans maximum age for eligibility.
Additional Steps You Can Take:
*Keep your plan administrator informed of any status changes on your coverage.
*Whenever you submit claims, simply check “yes” where it asks you to confirm your dependent is a full-time student.
*When the dependent visits the dentist, be sure to let them know that they’re in school full-time. Since most dental offices submit claims electronically, this is very important.
*With pay-direct drug cards, you can request an additional card for your over age dependent to present at the pharmacy.