Requires Insurance Carriers to Continue Coverage for Students on Medical Leave
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today signed Assembly Bill 280, which requires insurance carriers to continue coverage for college students on medical leave.
“This legislation is part of our efforts to make health care more accessible and affordable to everyone in Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “College students who become seriously ill shouldn’t have to compromise their health or go bankrupt in order to keep their insurance. This bill will allow students to get better with peace of mind, knowing they won’t lose insurance coverage.”
AB 280 requires insurance policies that provide coverage to a dependent full-time college or technical school student to continue coverage if the dependent has to leave school on a medical leave of absence. The person’s physician must certify that the student requires a medical leave and the coverage would continue for a year following the certification. The bill also specifies situations when the coverage would end, such as getting a full-time job. Under current law, a student would lose insurance coverage if they went on medical leave.
The law, also referred to as Michelle’s Law, is named after Michelle Morse, a Plymouth State University student who was urged by her doctor to reduce her course load after she began undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer. This was not feasible for Michelle and her family because she would lose her health insurance or pay large COBRA payments.
Before Michelle lost her battle with colon cancer in November 2005, she encouraged the New Hampshire legislature to pass Michelle’s Law. Her mother, AnneMarie, continues to lobby for the law in other states on her behalf.
Wisconsin is the seventh state to enact Michelle’s Law. It was inspired by Zach Grun, a UW-Marinette student who underwent two major internal surgeries and was not ready to return to school as a full-time student, but had to in order to keep his insurance.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives John Nygren and Terese Berceau and Senators Carol Roessler and Lena Taylor for their work on the legislation.
To learn more about Michelle’s Law visit http://www.michelleslaw.com.
