State RegulationsMA specificDifficulty 2/5
An employee's adult child is incapable of self-sustaining employment because of a developmental disability and depends chiefly on the employee for support. Under Massachusetts eligibility rules for accident and health coverage, how is dependent coverage for this child handled?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why B is correct
Massachusetts eligibility law pairs the ordinary dependent-age cutoff with an unlimited-age exception for disabled dependents. Under M.G.L. c. 176A, § 8D and M.G.L. c. 176B, § 6(c), a dependent who is incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of disability and who depends on the employee for support does not lose dependent status at the standard age boundary. The coverage continues as family coverage for as long as the incapacity and dependence continue.
Why the other options are wrong
- A) The ordinary age cutoff does not apply here; the Massachusetts provisions for disabled dependents suspend the age limit while the incapacity and dependence continue.
- C) The child does not have to be moved onto a separate individual policy; Massachusetts law keeps the disabled dependent within the family coverage.
- D) Student status is irrelevant to the disabled-dependent exception; the operative facts are the incapacity for self-support and the dependence on the employee.
Memory hook
Disabled and dependent? The age clock stops — coverage stays as long as the need does.