Regardless of Supreme Court ruling, UHC to voluntarily extend health-reform protections

MINNETONKA, Minn. — A health insurance provider will continue provisions related to coverage of preventive healthcare services, coverage of dependents up to 26 years old, lifetime policy limits, rescissions and appeals, no matter how the Supreme Court rules in cases related to the 2010 healthcare-reform law.

UnitedHealthcare, which is part of the UnitedHealth Group, said Monday that protections are effective immediately, and will remain available to current and future customers and members. UHC noted it is not establishing any "sunset provisions" and said it is committed to working with all other participants in the healthcare system to sustain that coverage.

"The protections we are voluntarily extending are good for people’s health, promote broader access to quality care and contribute to helping control rising healthcare costs. These provisions make sense for the people we serve, and it is important to ensure they know these provisions will continue," UnitedHealth Group president and CEO Stephen Hemsley said. "These provisions are compatible with our mission and continue our operating practices."

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