Courtney Applauds Mohegan Sun Decision to Accelerate Health Coverage for Young People

Press Release

Rep. Joe Courtney today praised Mohegan Sun's decision to extend health insurance coverage to dependents under the age of 26. The extension is required by this year's health reform bill, but Mohegan Sun joins United Technologies Corporation (UTC) as one of a handful of businesses that is meeting the deadline ahead of schedule. Insurance policies that offer dependent coverage will be required to extend coverage to young adults up to the age of 26 for plan years beginning after September 23, 2010.

"As a major employer in eastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is leading by example," Courtney said. "This is an absolutely essential provision in the Affordable Care Act and I commend the Mohegan Tribe's decision to adopt it early. Young people, families, and Mohegan Sun itself will all benefit from today's move."

On April 19, 2010, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter to leading insurance carriers and employers encouraging them to provide seamless coverage to those under 26 who remain on their parents' insurance policies. Courtney has shared that letter and related IRS regulations with self-insured business, and did so with both Mohegan and UTC to encourage their move.

Not only will this ensure that young adults have access to affordable care at a critical point in their lives, but it will prevent parents from having to dis-enroll their children in May and then re-enroll them six or more months later. Doing this would create unnecessary administrative costs that Mohegan Sun and its employees will now avoid by providing constant coverage

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