AK HB326

Health care insurers offering individual market policies in Alaska must offer child-only coverage on a guaranteed-issue basis without preexisting condition exclusions during January 1 through March 31 enrollment periods and within 30 days for late enrollees.

Child-only policies exclude dependent coverage under family plans and excepted benefits as defined in state law.

"Child" is defined as an individual under 19 years of age; "late enrollee" includes children who lost dependent coverage due to employment changes, employer contribution cessation, death of covered person, parental divorce/separation, or loss of state/federal program eligibility.

Grandfathered health plans existing as of March 23, 2010 are exempt from the requirement to offer child-only coverage.

The initial enrollment period begins 90 days after the Act takes effect, and the requirement is repealed effective January 1, 2014.