The legislation benefits students who need to take a leave of absence due to a serious illness or injury.

Michelle’s Law is named for Michelle Morse, who continued taking a full course load after being diagnosed with cancer so that she would not lose her health insurance coverage under her parents’ plan. Morse died in 2005, six months after completing her studies.

The law bars group health plans from quickly terminating the health coverage of college students who are covered as dependents under a group health plan and need to take a leave of absence due to a serious medical condition.

Group plans must continue to provide coverage for a year after the leave begins, unless coverage would otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan.

Morse’s home state of New Hampshire passed its version of the law in 2006. The federal law is effective for plan years beginning on or after October 9, 2009.

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Tags: health insurance, leaves of absence, legislation