Major insurers to drop child policies ahead of coverage mandate

Just days away from the implementation of new rules that will prevent insurers from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, numerous major insurers have opted to end the sale of child-only policies.

Anthem Blue Cross and associate WellPoint, Aetna Inc., Cigna Inc., CoventryOne and others have been making under-the-radar announcements about their child health offerings in recent days, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and progressive activists who championed the president's health care reform agenda.

Insurers say the government's mandate to extend coverage to children with pre-existing conditions could endanger their obligations to other policy holders -- essentially blaming the Obama administration for their actions.

Child-only policies that have already been issued will still be honored, they claim. Citizens in states that mandate child-only policies be offered, such as Maine and New York, will retain an option to purchase the plans.

Health insurers had argued that the mandate against pre-existing condition denials would allow parents to buy insurance only after their children get sick and not before. Because of their objection, the Obama administration added a provision in the health reform legislation that allows policy issuers to establish limited enrollment periods and other restrictions.



Major insurers to drop child policies ahead of coverage mandate