Policy Pick: Deadline is March 1 to Purchase Health Insurance for Kids with Pre-existing Conditions

The new Healthcare Reform Law states that health insurance companies can no longer exclude children with pre-existing conditions. In response to this law, five large insurance companies stated they would no longer sell child-only insurance policies. Subsequently, AB 2244, introduced by state Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), went into effect.

Feuer's bill prohibits insurance companies that stopped selling child-only insurance policies from selling any policies in the lucrative California individual insurance market for five years. The insurance companies relented and stated they would begin to sell child-only insurance policies again.

Part of the law states that parents of children with pre-existing conditions must purchase their child's insurance policy between Jan. 1 and March 1, or a month after the child's birthday. Policies purchased during these periods cannot cost more than twice the standard rate.

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) is trying to get the word out about the approaching deadline. "Kids need a healthy start in life and it shocks the conscience that some would be denied insurance because they are already sick," Blumenfield said. "That's why I fought for health care reform to ensure that parents with sick children cannot be denied coverage."

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