Can i add my parents to my health insurance blue cross blue shield

This week, California Governor Newsom signed 770 bills into law. One of them was AB 570 (Santiago), also known as the “Parent Healthcare Act”  that becomes effective for individual health care coverage issued, amended or renewed beginning January 1, 2023. This change in the law will allow adult children to add their parents or step parents to their individual health insurance coverage, if the plan allows for dependent coverage and the applicant lives within the plan’s service area. This new law will affect a small number of people who might be added to an adult child’s health care coverage, but could be an important source of coverage for a parent or step-parent who isn’t eligible for Medicare or who doesn’t have enough quarters of Social Security for free Medicare Part A coverage.

California Health Advocates supported this bill during the legislative process and requested an amendment to require notification of free Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) counseling to any parent or step parent who is eligible for or enrolled in Medicare and being added to their adult child’s individual health care coverage. There are important considerations connected to Medicare and other coverage that Medicare beneficiaries need to know, whether they are enrolled in Medicare or not. HICAP is the place for Medicare beneficiaries to get that information.

If an adult child wants to add their parent or step-parent to their coverage the plan has to provide written notice to anyone who is eligible for or enrolled in Medicare about the free counseling services available from HICAP. If the applicant applies through Covered California they will also receive written notice about the free counseling services from HICAP.

You can find your local HICAP here, or call 1-800-434-0222 to schedule an appointment with a HICAP counselor.

Read more:

• Press release: AB 570 by Assembly Member Santiago Allows Californians to Add Parents to Health Plans
• Bill text

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As fall approaches, millions of college students are heading off to school. They’re pondering if they’ll get along with new roommates, thinking about finding classes, and wondering how far their dorm room is from the cafeteria. Not on their minds? Health insurance, or where to go for health care.

We put together a quick three-step guide to cover the basics, so you can focus on the more pressing matters of the new school year (class, of course). You will need to:

1. Make sure you have health insurance.
2. Know where to go if you get sick.
3. Choose a pharmacy.

Step 1: Make Sure You Have Health Insurance

First things first: students need health insurance coverage. There are a few options to find a plan:

• Stay on a Parent’s Plan: Students under 26 have the option to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan. If selecting this option, it’s a good idea to contact your Blue Cross Blue Shield company to get details about out-of-state coverage if you need it.  
• Student Plans: Many schools also offer student coverage, which can be a good option for basic care. Contact your school for details.
• Health Insurance Marketplace: Another option is to purchase health insurance on the marketplace, which may allow you to qualify to receive financial help from the government to pay for your plan. You can also find out if you qualify for Medicaid.

Step 2: Know Where to Go

Once you have health insurance, take a moment to learn where you can use it if you get sick. Visit your BCBS company’s website to research your options. You can also look for in-network doctors and urgent care centers near campus using our BCBS health provider finder. This is a very important step because visits to an out-of-network doctor or hospital will be much more expensive, or potentially not covered at all, depending on your plan.

Many colleges also offer student health clinics on campus, which can be a convenient option for those with limited off-campus transportation. Check with your on-campus clinic directly to find out what insurance is accepted.

Step 3: Choose a Pharmacy

Whether you take prescription medication on a regular basis, or just need to combat an illness, it’s important to ensure you get the medications you need while at school. Students who take prescriptions on an on-going basis may want to consider using a mail-order pharmacy, which ships medications to you directly. This can be a time – and money – saving option for students. Contact your BCBS company to learn more about mail order options for your plan.

Since mail-order pharmacies require advance notice to ship prescriptions, it’s also a good idea to identify a local pharmacy for immediate needs. Some schools may provide pharmacy services on campus, but a quick online search can help you identify other locations nearby. Be sure to check which pharmacies accept your BCBS coverage before having your prescription sent there.

If you have questions about how to use your coverage at any point throughout the school year, the fastest way to get answers is by calling the 1-800 number on the back of your BCBS member ID card. You can also find your BCBS company on Twitter or Facebook.