TRENTON, N.J., January 15 – All health insurance companies in the state will have to extend coverage for eligible unmarried dependents on a parents family health insurance plan to age 30, under a bill signed into law.

Acting Governor Richard Codey signed the bill, S-2283, which its sponsors say will keep coverage going for those between 19 and 29 years of age who are now dropped from their parents family coverage plan.

It was noted that a commonplace family health insurance coverage policy covers the parents and their children up to age 19, and after that the 19 year old must buy a separate policy or, as in many instances, have no health insurance.

The sponsors of the new law said the extension of coverage up to 30 years of age is a safety net to help young adults get health insurance.

Under the law, which becomes effective in four months, a dependent is eligible for the extended coverage if he or she is unmarried, has no dependents of their own, is a resident of New Jersey or is enrolled as a full time student in another state, and is not eligible for coverage under any other health plan.

The law further states that to remain covered, the dependent would have to pay a slightly higher premium but not higher than 102 percent of the previously paid premium under a family plan. It calls for the same level of coverage the person received under the family plan.

Under the law, a dependent may elect coverage within 30 days prior to aging-out of plan coverage so that the coverage immediately continues beyond the specific age of being dropped, usually 19.

Further, the coverage provided to a dependent must be identical to that received while under the family plan.

One of the sponsors, State Senator Nia H. Gill (D-Essex County), said, In todays job market even highly qualified young adults are having trouble finding gainful employment and in some cases the work they do find does not provide health benefits to entry level employees.

Gill added, By giving parents the ability to extend coverage for their children until the age of 30, we can ensure that while our kids look for job opportunities their health is not compromised by a lack of insurance.

The other key sponsor is Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen County). She said, Compassion dictates that we dont leave our children without any access to health insurance, but also from a fiscal standpoint it makes sense to encourage regular doctors visits over episodic hospital care.

Weinburg said in the long run, We can save money by promoting good health practices.

The law applies to HMOs, commercial insurers, health service corporations, medical service corporations, hospital service corporations and the health plans of the New Jersey Small Employer Health Benefits Program and the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program.