Under what rule is a child's primary coverage under the Father's plan when both parents have coverage?

Asked by: Macie Rempel  |  Last update: December 2, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (41 votes)

The birthday rule applies when a child is covered under both parents' health plans. Primary coverage comes from the plan of the parent whose birthday (month and day only) comes first in the year, with the other parent's health plan providing secondary coverage.

What determines which parents' insurance is primary?

The birthday rule determines the order that the insurance companies will pay benefits when a dependent child is covered by two health insurance plans. The health insurance plan of the parent whose birthday month and day occurs earlier in the calendar year is primary.

Who is primary if both parents have insurance?

For example, if you're a child with two parents who both cover you under their respective family plans, your primary insurance is decided by something called “the birthday rule”. The primary coverage will come from the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year.

How to determine whose insurance is primary?

Primary coverage generally comes from the plan that belongs to the parent whose birthday comes first in the year. So if one parent's birthday is February 6 and the other's is October 3, the kids will have primary coverage from the parent whose birthday is in February.

What guideline dictates which insurance plan of a child patient's parent is considered the primary payer?

Birthday Rule: This rule determines whether a plan is primary or secondary for an eligible dependent child who is covered by both parents' benefit plans and those parents live together. The plan of the parent whose birthday (month and day only) is earlier in a calendar year would provide primary coverage for the child.

What Is Secondary Insurance Coverage? - InsuranceGuide360.com

36 related questions found

Under what rule is a child primary coverage under the father's plan when both parents have coverage?

The birthday rule applies when a child is covered under both parents' health plans. Primary coverage comes from the plan of the parent whose birthday (month and day only) comes first in the year, with the other parent's health plan providing secondary coverage.

What is the working spouse rule for Blue Cross Blue Shield?

The Working Spouse Rule states that a spouse must enroll in their employer's health plan. The rule applies if the spouse works for an employer who offers a health plan, and the employer pays at least 50% of the total premium for single coverage.

Whose insurance is primary for a child?

Same birthdays

If a child is covered by the insurance of two parents who share the same birthday, the policy that started first serves as the primary plan. For example, if the mother's plan has covered the child longer than the father's plan, then the mother's plan is the primary policy.

Does it matter who the primary driver is on insurance?

Insurance companies use their driving record, age, location, and other factors to calculate premiums and coverage. So the primary driver can affect insurance rates.

Can a child be covered by two insurances?

Instead, a child with double health insurance eligibility must take as primary coverage the plan of the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year; the other parent's insurance is considered secondary.

Can a child be on both parents life insurance?

If you're wondering if two parents can purchase life insurance on a child without jeopardizing a claim, the answer is dependent on the company and the policy. But if the two parents are married, it might not make financial sense for both to purchase individual policies on the child.

Who would be the primary insured?

A person who fills out and signs a request for insurance coverage is usually referred to as the primary insured or applicant. This person is generally the intended policyowner and is listed as applicant on the premium due page after a policy is issued.

Can a child be on both parents' health insurance reddit?

Yes, he can have two plans.

When both parents have insurance to cover a child what rule was established to determine which carrier is the primary carrier?

The birthday rule helps parents decide which insurance company will pay first for children listed as dependent on both parents' insurance policies. The birthday rule affects benefits, copayments, out-of-pocket costs and deductibles. According to the birthday rule, the primary provider will always pay first.

Can I use my secondary insurance as primary?

The short answer is no, you can't. As outlined above, an individual's employer-sponsored plan will always be primary. Even if a spouse or parent's plan has better coverage or maybe a lower deductible, you can't submit claims to them first.

What is the coordination of benefits rule?

“Coordination of benefits” or “COB” means a provision establishing an order in which plans pay their claims, and permitting secondary plans to reduce their benefits so that the combined benefits of all plans do not exceed total allowable expenses.

How do you determine who is primary on insurance?

The insurance that pays first is called the primary payer. The primary payer pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second is called the secondary payer. The secondary payer only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn't cover.

Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

Does it matter whose name is first on car insurance?

As you may or may not know, credit makes a huge difference for many insurance company's when determining rates for policies like your auto and home insurance. In many instances, the insurance company will only run an insurance score based on credit on the name who is listed first on the policy.

What is the process of determining which company is primary and which is secondary?

Coordination of benefits is the process insurance companies use to determine how to cover your medical expenses when you're covered by more than one health insurance plan. It clarifies who pays what by determining which plan is the primary payer and which is secondary.

Who is the primary insured party?

In insurance, a named insured refers to a person or firm whose name appears at the top or first page of an insurance contract and who receives all the protections of the insurance policy. They're also called a policyholder or primary insured.

Is my parent the primary insurance holder?

If you are the person who signed up for insurance coverage and you are the policy holder, then you are the primary insurance holder. If your spouse, partner, or parent has provided you with an insurance card, then you are not the primary insurance holder.

Can I stay on my parents insurance after marriage Blue Cross Blue Shield?

You can stay on a parent's plan until you turn 26

Once you're on a parent's job-based plan, in most cases you can stay on it until you turn 26. Generally, you can join a parent's plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you: Get married.

What is the working spouse rule?

The Plan's Working Spouse Rule states that, if your spouse is working for an employer who offers a health plan, the Plan requires them to enroll in that employer-sponsored coverage to be eligible for Plan coverage. Your spouse must confirm whether they have access to and are enrolled in their employer's health plan.

Which of the following statements do not apply to child coverage in a family policy?

Out of the four statements, the one that does NOT apply to child coverage in a family policy is: Only children born prior to policy's issue date may be included. Majority of family policies accommodate for the addition of children born or adopted after the policy's issue date. The other statements are valid.