13, 16, 18, 21…you may consider these birthdays important milestones in your child’s life, but when it comes to health coverage and benefits, the important ages to remember are 19 and 26. That’s because the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made it possible for children to remain on their parents’ medical plan until age 26. However, the basic pediatric preventive and routine dental and vision coverage required under the ACA that your children get as part of their medical plan ends at age 19.
When a child reaches these milestone birthdays, it’s important for parents to seek coverage so that they can ensure that care is not interrupted.
Aging out of pediatric dental and vision benefits at age 19
When it comes to pediatric dental and vision coverage, children are covered until age 19. That means at the end of their birthday month (for vision) and the end of their birthday year (for dental), they will no longer be eligible to receive the pediatric dental and vision benefits that are included in most ACA-compliant medical plans.
That’s why Independence Blue Cross (Independence) created adult dental and vision plans for anyone age 19 and older. These affordable plans feature large provider networks, out-of-network coverage, discounts on services, and more. Plus they can be purchased any time of the year, with or without a medical plan.
Here are ways you can ensure you and your family are getting dental and vision care:
- If you don’t have an adult dental or vision plan, enroll in one today.
- If you have an existing adult dental or vision plan, you can enroll children between 19 – 26 years of age.
- Adults age 19 and older can purchase their own individual dental and vision plans.
To find out more about our adult dental and vision plans, call 1-844-762-2140 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.) or go online at ibx.com/dentalvision.
You may be eligible to apply for an affordable health plan today.
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