Dependent child has a child

[leme221]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My son who is on my HMO plan as a dependent, is a Full time student will have a child. Can the child be added to my HMO plan? How does this work? What are our rights?

[ecmst12]

Will the grandchild be living in your house and will you be claiming him/her on your taxes? If so, he/she will probably qualify as a dependent, but you have to check with your HR dept to be sure.

If not, then no he/she will probably NOT be a covered dependent since grandchildren are typically not covered unless the grandparent is the primary guardian.

[cbg]

This is going to be a question of the specific health plan, not of law.

The law neither prohibits nor requires the coverage of grandchildren on any given policy. It will depend entirely on the eligibility requirements of the plan itself.

[TIMMAAYY]

I'm thinking as long as the dependent lives with the primary, and the dependent's dependent child also lives with them... that still fits the definition of a dependent by law, but as you said, the plan may have different wording.

[ecmst12]

However since OP's child is the father, not the mother, of the grandchild, it's much more likely that the baby is going to be living with mom and mom's parents.

[TIMMAAYY]

Worst case, get the newborn an individual policy... something like an HSA with a high deductible. It's super cheap and will keep you from having to pay for anything major, God forbid anything like that would happen. And, it will always belong to the child, no matter what, as long as the premium is paid.

[ecmst12]

Totally unnecessary. In almost all cases, the baby will easily qualify for free or low cost coverage through medicaid or CHIP, if one of the grandparents can't put it on their policy. Minors generally don't make much money.

[ecmst12]

I really wish you would quit inserting your personal soap box into EVERY stinkin post you answer.

[TIMMAAYY]

Personal soap box? All I did was give them an alternative.

You're being ridiculous.

The SCHIP program is also a good idea.

If you read what I posted, I said the "worst case" scenario.