A group health policy delivered in Denver covers the insured's dependents. Under C.R.S. § 10-16-104(1), when does coverage attach for a newly born child, and how long are birth injuries and congenital defects covered?

Why B is correct

Under C.R.S. § 10-16-104(1), a dependent newborn is covered from the moment of birth, and injury or sickness — including congenital defects and birth abnormalities — must be covered for the first 31 days of life. The insurer may then require notice of birth and payment of premium within 31 days to continue coverage. Practically, a claim for a congenital defect during the first month of life cannot be denied for lack of an enrollment step that was never required.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) Coverage does not wait until 31 days after birth; it attaches at the moment of birth, and the 31-day period is the initial covered span, not a waiting period.
• C) The initial covered period is 31 days, not 20 days; 20 days is the notice-of-claim window under C.R.S. § 10-16-202, a different rule entirely.
• D) Coverage is not conditioned on advance notice or premium; those may only be required later, within 31 days, to continue the newborn's coverage.

Memory hook

Born covered: moment of birth starts it, 31 days funds it.