Illinois Code § 356z.12

§ 356z.12.

Sec. 356z.12. Dependent coverage. (a) A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that provides coverage for dependents and that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly shall not terminate coverage or deny the election of coverage for an unmarried dependent by reason of the dependent's age before the dependent's 26th birthday. (b) A policy or plan subject to this Section shall, upon amendment, delivery, issuance, or renewal, establish an initial enrollment period of not less than 90 days during which an insured may make a written election for coverage of an unmarried person as a dependent under this Section. After the initial enrollment period, enrollment by a dependent pursuant to this Section shall be consistent with the enrollment terms of the plan or policy. (c) A policy or plan subject to this Section shall allow for dependent coverage during the annual open enrollment date or the annual renewal date if the dependent, as of the date on which the insured elects dependent coverage under this subsection, has: (1) a period of continuous creditable coverage of 90 days or more; and (2) not been without creditable coverage for more than 63 days. An insured may elect coverage for a dependent who does not meet the continuous creditable coverage requirements of this subsection (c) and that dependent shall not be denied coverage due to age. For purposes of this subsection (c), "creditable coverage" shall have the meaning provided under subsection (C)(1) of Section 20 of the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. (d) Military personnel. A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that provides coverage for dependents and that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly shall not terminate coverage or deny the election of coverage for an unmarried dependent by reason of the dependent's age before the dependent's 30th birthday if the dependent (i) is an Illinois resident, (ii) served as a member of the active or reserve components of any of the branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, and (iii) has received a release or discharge other than a dishonorable discharge. To be eligible for coverage under this subsection (d), the eligible dependent shall submit to the insurer a form approved by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs stating the date on which the dependent was released from service. (e) Calculation of the cost of coverage provided to an unmarried dependent under this Section shall be identical. (f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to pay all or part of the cost of coverage provided under this Section. (g) No exclusions or limitations may be applied to coverage elected pursuant to this Section that do not apply to all dependents covered under the policy. (h) A policy or plan subject to this Section shall not condition eligibility for dependent coverage provided pursuant to this Section on enrollment in any educational institution. (i) Notice regarding coverage for a dependent as provided pursuant to this Section shall be provided to an insured by the insurer: (1) upon application or enrollment; (2) in the certificate of coverage or equivalent document prepared for an insured and delivered on or about the date on which the coverage commences; and (3) (blank). (Source: P.A. 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)