Health insurers writing policies in Maryland can change their forms to say “age 26,” instead of “age 25,” for their dependent coverage without the prior approval of the Maryland Insurance Administration.

Having touted its early success in implementing some parts of new federal health reform law, officials now say a $250 rebate check to seniors who fall into the Medicare “doughnut hole” will be in the mail in the next two weeks.

Joining a growing number of states warning residents to be on the look-out for scammers taking advantage of national health reform, regulators in Pennsylvania are urging anyone with questions or concerns to contact them first.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued new rules to allow employers with cafeteria plans to immediately permit their employees to make tax-free deductions if they enroll their eligible dependents up to age 26 on their health insurance plans.

Under the national spotlight for alleged rescissions of patients with breast cancer, national health insurer WellPoint said it will implement reforms on the practice well ahead of a deadline set under recent health reform.

PAHU President Shelly Bloom: “We are still reviewing a 2,700-page bill and conflicting timelines of changes and regulations. I think there have been more questions recently [from members] and we need to wait for the answers from the federal government.”

AmeriHealth New Jersey has announced that it will extend health insurance coverage to young adults up to age 26 already covered by their parents’ plans until mandates under national health reform begin.

On the heels of WellPoint and UnitedHealthcare announcing plans to close a coverage gap for young adults before federal health reform efforts kick in, Aetna and all Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies announced they would do the same.

The Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee has scheduled a May 27 public hearing in Harrisburg, Pa., to explore what the federal health reform law means for the state.

With federal health reform expanding the dependent age for coverage of young adults to 26 as of this September, national health insurers WellPoint and UnitedHealthcare have announced steps to avoid a gap in care.