Question

When a child who is covered by two or more plans lives with his married parents, the primary policyholder is the parent...

Option 1) Whose birthday occurs first in the year.
Option 2) Who is older.
Option 3) Whose birthday occurs later in the year.
Option 4) Who is younger.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option Option 1) Whose birthday occurs first in the year.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a child is covered by two or more health insurance plans and lives with married parents, the way to determine which parent's plan acts as the primary insurance is based on a standard called the 'birthday rule'. According to the birthday rule, the primary policyholder is the parent whose birthday occurs first in the calendar year (Option 1).

This does not refer to the parent who is older, but rather whose birthday (month and day, not year) comes first in the year. For instance, if one parent's birthday is on April 4th and the other's is on October 6th, the policy of the parent with the April 4th birthday would be deemed the primary coverage for the child.