Changes in Ohio Law Impacting Group Health Plans

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While everyone is focusing on health care reform on the Federal level there have been two major changes at the state level in Ohio, bringing the Ohio Law in line with the Federal law.

1. In July 2009 the Ohio state government passed legislation allowing older children to remain covered under their parent's plan past the federal law of age 26. If a child met certain parameters under the law, they could remain on their parent's coverage until age 28. However recent Ohio law changes lower the dependent age to 26, the federal definition of an adult child. This change is effective in 2016 and we expect the carriers will put these changes into effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2016.

2. The minimum number of hours that an eligible employee works in a normal work week in the small group market in Ohio is changing from 25 hours per week to 30 hours per week.  The definition of a small employer under Ohio law changes in 2016 to 100 employees or less  We expect this change will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2016.