Dependent Age 19 and Over
Questions and Answers

Imputed Income
IRS or Non-IRS Dependent
Disabled Child
Graduation from College
Part-time student
Full-time Student Turning Age 24
Dropping Child From Coverage

Q) My child is turning 19. How can he/she continue health insurance coverage?
A) Coverage for an unmarried dependent ends at the end of the month in which the dependent turns age 19.  To continue coverage after this date, insureds must complete and return a Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage 30 days prior to the dependent’s 19th birthday.   If you do not send in the completed form by this date, the dependents coverage will be terminated at the end of the month in which he/she turns 19.  If an application is received more than 30 days after the dependent’s 19th birthday, coverage will begin on the first day of the second month after the receipt of the application.

Q) How long do I have to complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.
A) Coverage for an unmarried dependent ends at the end of the month in which the dependent turns age 19.  For coverage after this date, insureds must complete and return a Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage 30 days prior to the dependent’s 19th birthday.   If you do not send in the completed form by this date, the dependent's coverage will be terminated at the end of the month in which he/she turns 19.  If an application is received more than 30 days after the dependent’s 19th birthday or the dependent is over age 19, coverage will begin on the first day of the second month after the receipt of the application.

Q) My child (age 19 or over) is a part-time student, is he/she eligible for GIC coverage?
A) Your child may be eligible for coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) My child (age 19 or over) is attending school full-time how does he/she apply for GIC health coverage?
A) Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

Q) My dependent is age 19 (or over) and is not a full-time student, is not a part-time student, and is not a handicapped child, is he/she eligible for GIC coverage?
A) Your child may be eligible to continue coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) My dependent (age 19 or over) is continuing coverage under my GIC health plan as a Non-IRS dependent.  What will my imputed income tax liability be for his/her coverage?
A) Imputed income for a Non-IRS dependent is based on the full cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.  The amount of imputed income is subject to your tax bracket.  In general, if you are in the 28% tax bracket, you would pay additional federal income taxes equal to 28% of the full-cost individual rate of your health plan.

Q) How do I determine whether my unmarried child age 19 to 26, who is not a full-time student or handicapped dependent, is an IRS dependent or a Non-IRS dependent?
A)  Your child age 19 to 26 may qualify as an IRS dependent, and be eligible for GIC IRS dependent coverage, if you provide more than half of his/her support and your child has a gross annual income of less than $3,200.  If your dependent is not an IRS dependent, he/she may be eligible to continue GIC coverage as a Non-IRS dependent.  He/she is eligible for coverage for two years after the loss of IRS dependent status up to age 26.  For IRS dependent status rules, refer to federal income tax filing instructions, IRS Publication 501, or contact a tax professional.

Q) I have individual health coverage and I have a dependent child I want to cover.  What do I do?
A) In addition to completing the the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage, you must change from individual to family coverage.  Active employees must see the GIC Coordinator at their agency to change to family coverage.   Retirees must request the change in writing to the GIC.

Q) My child is disabled and is turning 19.  How can he/she continue GIC health coverage?
A) If your child is mentally or physically incapable of earning his/her own living, you can apply for handicapped dependent coverage by completing and returning the GIC Handicapped Dependent application (contact the GIC for this form).  The child’s disability must have occurred prior to age 19.  Family coverage is required.  Coverage may continue as long as the handicapped dependent remains unable to support him/her self due to disability and you continue on GIC health coverage. 

If your child is permanently and totally disabled and became so after age 18 and is under age 26, he/she is also eligible to continue GIC coverage up to age 26. Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage along with a Handicapped Dependent Application (contact the GIC for the form).

Q) My unmarried student-dependent (age 19 or over) who is a full-time student is graduating from college. When does health coverage end?
A) His/her coverage as a full-time student ends at the end of the month in which he/she ceases to be a full-time student.  At that point, your child may be eligible to continue health coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent  up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) My full-time student-dependent (age 19 or over) will be finishing classes in December or January, but will not graduate until May. When will his/her health coverage end?
A) Your student-dependent's health coverage as a full-time student ends at the end of the month in which he/she ceases to be a full-time student (e.g., December or January).  At that point, your child may be eligible to continue health coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.
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If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) Is my full-time student-dependent (age 19 or over) covered during the summer months?
A) Your student dependent is covered during the summer only if he/she was enrolled as a full-time student for the entire spring semester and is enrolled as a full-time student for the following fall semester.

Q) My student-dependent is changing from a full-time student to a part-time student.  How can I continue coverage for my part-time student dependent?
A) Student coverage for a dependent ends on the last day of the semester in which he/she last attended school full-time; thereafter the insured may apply  to continue coverage for the dependent up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 to 26 Application for Coverage.

Q) When does a student's coverage end if he/she is on a school-approved medical leave?
A) Student coverage for a dependent on a school-approved medical leave of absence ends on the last day of the semester in which he/she last attended class.  At that point, your child may be eligible to continue health coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent  up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) When does a full-time student’s coverage end if he/she withdraws from classes for reasons other than a school-approved medical leave of absence?
A) Coverage for a full-time student who withdraws from classes ends on the last day of the month in which he/she last attended classes.  At that point, your child may be eligible to continue health coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent  up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) My full-time student-dependent is turning 24.  What happens to his/her health coverage?
A) Your full-time student dependent can continue health coverage until he/she ceases to attend school full-time.  At age 24,  your child may be eligible to continue health coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.   In addition, at age 24, you can continue full-time student coverage by paying an individual monthly full-cost premium.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.  

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the health plan in which you are enrolled.

Q) My full-time student-dependent is turning 26.  What happens to his/her health coverage?
A) Your dependent can continue health coverage until he/she ceases to attend school full time.  You must pay 100% of the premium.

Q) Can I drop my child from GIC coverage?
A) You may drop your child (age 19 or over) from GIC coverage at any time.  You must write to the GIC to request that the dependent age 19 or over be removed from your GIC coverage.  Include your name, your GIC Identification number (usually Social Security number, not your health plan ID number), and  your dependent’s name and date of birth.

Q) I do not have health coverage through the GIC, but have GIC Dental/Vision coverage. Is my dependent age 19 (or over) eligible for dental/vision coverage?
A) If your dependent is a full-time student or handicapped dependent, complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.  Your dependent may also be eligible to continue coverage as an IRS Dependent or as a Non-IRS Dependent up to age 26 or two years after losing dependent status according to IRS rules, whichever occurs first.  Complete and return the Dependent Age 19 and Over Application for Coverage.

If your dependent is a Non-IRS Dependent, you are subject to imputed income on the value of the full-cost individual premium for the dental/vision plan in which you are enrolled.