Extending coverage, eliminating pre-existing conditions for children is common sense

April 21, 2010

Washington D.C.— Nevada Senator Harry Reid today applauded recent decisions by several health insurance companies to comply with new health care reform provisions before they take effect. United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield, both of which maintain a strong presence in Nevada’s health insurance market, recently announced that children may remain covered under their parents’ plans until age 26, effective sooner than the new law requires.  Under the law, insurance companies are required to extend such coverage beginning this September.

Additionally, America’s Health Insurance Plans recently said it would work to eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for children and looked forward to complying with the new regulations.

“I’m pleased that the insurance companies are extending coverage to young adults and working to eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for children in advance of health care reform taking effect,” Reid said.  “This is evidence that the reforms we’ve enacted are common sense improvements and the right thing to do.  I encourage all insurance companies to follow suit to ensure that all children and families have access to quality, affordable health care as soon as possible.”  

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