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UnitedHealth's extensions will apply largely to its customers who have individual policies or small-group health insurance through their employer, a minority of its 35 million total members. It will not include people who work for large employers who pay their own medical claims and then hire an insurer to administer coverage. The Minnetonka, Minn., insurer said its pledge focuses on elements of the law already in place. Key provisions like an expansion of the state-federal Medicaid program and tax credits to help people buy coverage won't start until 2014. UnitedHealth also did not promise to extend another initial overhaul provision that requires the coverage of children with pre-existing conditions up to age 19. The insurer said it recognizes the provision's value, but one company alone cannot extend the provision if the law is struck down. If only one insurer kept that provision, it might get overwhelmed with applications from children with expensive medical conditions who want the guarantee of coverage.
[Associated
Press;
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