Two seldom discussed pieces of the federal health care reform law are set to go into effect early this summer—promising big changes for many students and recent graduates. 

First, starting on September 23rd, graduates will be able to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26.  Previously, graduates were cut off from those plans soon after graduation.

For students that don’t have insurance through their parents, the new reforms could also force major changes in insurance offered through their school. 

Student plans have long been notorious for offering very limited protection.  A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that nearly all of the plans have lifetime benefit limits as well as limits on coverage for each condition.  Insurers, even in the case of student plans, will have to eliminate lifetime and most annual limits on coverage. 

While those reforms are certain, students will have to wait to see how other aspects of student plans will be treated.  If student plans are evaluated as individual plans, they’ll have to offer a comprehensive package of “essential health benefits.” If they’re evaluated as large group plans, they won’t have to meet that requirement of the new law. 

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