Some insurers stop writing new coverage for kids

[The Straight Story]

Some insurers stop writing new coverage for kids


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some major health insurance companies have stopped issuing certain types of policies for children, an unintended consequence of President Obama's health care overhaul law.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said in his state UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield have stopped issuing new policies that cover children individually -- not as dependents of their parents. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland said a couple of insurers in her state have done likewise.

The move could affect several hundred thousand children.

Starting later this year, the law requires insurers to accept children regardless of medical problems. The companies are worried that parents will wait until kids get sick to sign them up.

http://www.news10.net/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=87723&catid=5&GID=pmtm+AkzNHdJZbFfY6rFS/3uzQlMzzgEAeM11n++vDQ%3D

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Why would a child have their own policy and not be under the parents?

[Horse with no Name]

2. A child of divorce

Many times the non-custodial parent will shop around for cheapie policies to satisfy the court ordered insurance requirement.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Possible.

[backscatter712]

3. Maybe they can't afford to insure everyone...

so they just insure the kids.

[SoCalDem]

5. Bingo..

Many parents work at places that do not offer insurance, so a good parent will try to insure their children.. We had to do it when our COBRA ran out.. We still had one at home, so we paid $600 a month for him to have insurance (he had a pre-existing condition due to sports injuries, so they milked it on the premium)..This was in 1996..Pacificare coverage.