Is a 19-year-old dependent daughter covered for maternity care?

Answer 1

it really depends of each individual insurance. If the 19 year old is a full time student, she would be fully covered under your insurance. Also, some state laws require parents to cover a dependant child until a certain age (thru age 19 or sometimes even 23).

if the child is covered under the insurance, a pregnancy would be covered.. meaning all prenatal care, post natal for the mother and delivery, including hospital and physician fees. The baby however, will not be covered. The dependant of a dependant is not typically a eligible covered dependant on any insurance plan.

I've seen insurance plans that would cover a 19 year old child dependent, but, when you check the maternity benefit, she won't be covered unless there is a complication with the pregnancy.

If your insurance plan covers her as a dependant or student then she will be covered for her maternity. Most insurance policies will not cover a dependant grandchild, it depends on your individual plan. I have not seen any plans in my company that do. You may need to look into applying for Medicaid for the grandchild.

As stated above if the 19 year old is a qualified dependent then it should be covered **IF** the parents policy covers maternity. Maternity is not automatic coverage in all circumstances and is a benefit that is being made optional with much greater frequency in those states where the insurance company is not obligated to include it.