Requirements for Coverage of an Adopted Child

(a)Coverage effective upon replacement for adoption. In any case in which a group health plan provides coverage for dependent children of participants or beneficiaries, the plan shall provide benefits to dependent children placed with participants or beneficiaries for adoption under the same terms and conditions as applied to the natural, dependent children of the participants and beneficiaries, irrespective of whether the adoption has become final.

(b)Restrictions based on preexisting conditions at time of placement for adoption prohibited. A group health plan may not restrict coverage under the plan of any dependent child adopted by a participant or beneficiary, or placed with a participant or beneficiary for adoption, solely on the basis of a preexisting condition of the child at the time that the child would otherwise become eligible for coverage under the plan, if the adoption or placement for adoption occurs while the participant or beneficiary is eligible for coverage under the plan. ---------- COL120106 COL120106