• Make sure you understand the laws regarding coverage for your childrenChild image by Serenitie from Fotolia.com
  
  Health insurance companies are regulated at the state level and generally have laws that dictate coverage for dependents. While these laws vary by state, there are some common themes that are repeated across the nation . Before you purchase health insurance in your state, understand the laws regarding dependent coverage so that you can be sure you are getting the coverage for your child that you are entitled to under the law.
  
  

Automatic Coverage

• Dependents are generally covered automatically under your health insurance policy, if your policy already covers dependents. This coverage typically lasts for 30 to 31 days. After this time period, you must pay additional premiums and enroll your child in your policy as a new subscriber.
  
  

Disabled Children

• Disabled children are allowed to remain on your policy beyond the normal maximum age limit for dependents outlined in your policy. This generally requires that you provide proof to the insurance company that your child is not self-supporting due to a mental or physical disability. This must normally be done within 30 days of your child reaching the maximum age limit specified in the policy.
  
  

Extended Coverage

• Children, in some states, are allowed to remain on a parent's policy if they are attending college. For example, in New York, children can remain on their parent's policy up to age 23, if they are unmarried and enrolled in an accredited college. If the student leaves school because of illness, the insurance company must keep the child on the policy for up to one year at the same premium charged as when the child was in college.