October 1, 2019

OAD, Over-Age Dependent

Annual verification process for over-age dependents begins Oct. 1, 2019

For employers that offer MESSA medical, dental and vision coverage:

This process affects dependents turning 26 or over in 2020. In order to continue coverage into 2020, MESSA members who carry insurance on their adult children must take action to verify the eligibility of their over-age dependents who, in 2020, are turning age 26 or above and are expected to:

  • Recertify with a physical/intellectual impairment, or
  • Be a full-time student in 2020

MESSA has mailed letters to all members that have a dependent turning 26 or older in 2020. Members, who received a letter, must verify their child’s eligibility between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2019 to continue coverage into 2020. MESSA may terminate coverage effective Dec. 31, 2019 for any dependent, turning age 26 or older in 2020, whose eligibility is not verified by Nov. 30, 2019.

For employers that offer only MESSA medical coverage:

This process affects dependents turning 27 or older in 2020. In order to continue coverage into 2020, MESSA members who carry insurance on their adult children must take action to verify the eligibility of their over-age dependents who, in 2020, are turning age 27 or above and are expected to:

  • Recertify with a physical/intellectual impairment, or
  • Be a full-time student in 2020

MESSA has mailed letters to all medical-only members that have a dependent turning 27 or older in 2020. Members, who received a letter, must verify their child’s eligibility between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2019 to continue coverage into 2020. MESSA may terminate coverage effective Dec. 31, 2019 for any dependent, turning age 27 or older in 2020, whose eligibility is not verified by Nov. 30, 2019.

Classifications of Adult Children Verification Required?
Physically/intellectually impaired child Yes

If the dependent has not been approved as permanently impaired by MESSA, members must go to messa.org, then sign in to MyMESSA® and print out the “Dependent’s with Severe Physical or Intellectual Impairment” form that both the member and their doctor must complete.
Full-time student in 2020

Requirements:

  • The child must be unmarried.
  • Parents must provide the majority of the child’s financial support.
  • The child has had continuous coverage.
  • The child will be a full-time student in 2020, carrying 12 undergrad credits or six graduate credits.
 Yes

Members must go to messa.org, then sign in to MyMESSA® and complete the “Dependent Child Verification” form. The link to this form is located on the home page and will be available until Nov. 30.
Classifications of Adult Children Verification Required?
Already approved by MESSA as a permanently physically/intellectually impaired child No

Once a child has been approved and designated as permanently impaired by MESSA, no further verification is required to keep employer offered insurance coverage on the dependent.
Non-dependent adult child, turning age 26 in 2020

Requirements:

  • Does not need to be dependent on parents for support.
  • Does not need to live with parents.
  • Can be married.
  • Does not need to be a full-time student.
 No

Per the Affordable Care Act, medical coverage only will automatically continue into 2020.

Dental and vision (if applicable) will automatically be terminated at the end of 2019.

MESSA has posted an over-age dependents report on the MESSA Business Administration Center that lists the employees that were mailed a letter.

For questions:

Employers should contact MESSA Group Services at 888.888.4167.

Employees should contact MESSA’s Member Service Center at 800.336.0013.