Child Eligibility Extension Rule

Delta Dental plans won't change automatically

Health care reform decisions include many new rules for comprehensive major medical insurance that do not apply to separately contracted benefits such as dental and vision. These are classified as "excepted benefits" under the provisions of the Public Health Service Act.

Clients Must Decide

The new mandated extension of dependent child eligibility to age 26 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will be implemented for group Delta Dental plans when requested by clients who decide to extend coverage for dependent children in the same way as required for their major medical coverage.

Delta Dental is Prepared

Federal mandates do not require us (or our clients) to automatically increase the dependent age limit for dental plans. However, at a client's request, we will implement changes to dependent eligibility with a revised dental benefits contract.

Check your patients' benefits by logging in to Online Services.