Birthday Rule
The COB rule for dependent children: the plan of the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the calendar year is primary, regardless of age.
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Practice This Concept
A married couple is covered by their own separate employer group health plans, and their child is a dependent under both plans. Under the coordination of benefits 'birthday rule,' the child's primary plan is:
The plan of the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the calendar year — Under the coordination of benefits (COB) birthday rule, when a dependent child is covered by both parents' group plans, the plan of the parent whose birthday occurs earlier in the calendar year is primary; the other parent's plan pays secondary benefits. The rule uses the month and day of birth, not the year, so the older parent is not automatically primary. This rule prevents overpayment and sets a predictable order of payment when two group plans cover the same dependent child.
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