Dependents
Eligible dependents include a spouse, civil union partner, or same-sex domestic partner and/or your eligible children. See definitions, below.
For more information see the Summary Program Description
Spouse
A spouse is a person to whom you are legally married.
Civil Union Partner
A Civil Union Partner is a person of the same sex with whom you have entered into a civil union.
Domestic Partner
A Domestic Partner is a person of the same sex with whom you have entered into a domestic partnership as defined under the Domestic Partnership Act.
Dependent Children (Children until age 26)
An eligible child is a natural, step, adopted, or foster child under age 26, no matter the child’s marital, student, or financial dependency status
Coverage for an enrolled child ends on December 31 of the year that the child turns age 26. Extension of coverage may be available for over age children until age 31 and dependent over age children with disabilities or under the COBRA law.
Over Age Children until Age 31
Certain children over age 26 may be eligible for coverage until age 31 under Chapter 375. This includes a child by blood or law who is under the age of 31; is unmarried; has no dependent(s) of his or her own; lives in New Jersey or is a full-time student at an accredited public or private college or university; and is not covered in any way under a group or individual health benefits plan, church plan, or entitled to Medicare.
The covered parent or child is responsible for the entire cost of coverage. These children are not eligible for dental or vision benefits. See the Health Benefit Coverage of Children Until Age 31 Under Chapter 375 Fact Sheet
Chapter 375 application
Rates for Over Age Dependents to Age 31 Under Chapter 375 – Plan Year 2024
Over Age Children With Disabilities
A child who is not capable of self-support when he or she reaches age 26 due to a mental or physical disability may be able to continue coverage. Coverage for children with disabilities may continue only while:
To apply for Continued Enrollment for Dependents with Disabilities, please submit the following documents to the NJDPB:
Applications for children born in the year in which they turn 26 are currently being accepted. Applications for future years may be submitted beginning September 1 of the year in which the child is aging off coverage due to their 26th birthday. Early submissions will not be considered.
The Parent will be contacted periodically to verify that the child remains eligible for continued coverage, and renewals will be handled directly through Horizon or Aetna. See Health Benefits Coverage Continuation for Over Age Children With Disabilities to find out more.
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