Section 4306-A. Health insurance coverage for full-time students on medical leaves of absence

(a)  Every  contract  issued  by  a  medical  expense  indemnity  corporation,  hospital  service corporation or health service
  corporation that  provides  coverage  for  dependent  children  who  are
  full-time  students  to a higher age than other dependent children shall
  continue the coverage of a  dependent  student  who  takes  a  leave  of
  absence  from  school  due to illness for a period of twelve months from
  the last day of attendance at school, provided, however, that nothing in
  this section shall require coverage of a dependent  student  beyond  the
  age at which coverage would otherwise terminate.
    (b) In order to qualify under this section, the medical necessity of a
  leave  of  absence  from  school  must  be certified to by the student's
  attending physician who is licensed to practice  in  the  state  of  New
  York.  Written  documentation  of  the  illness must be submitted to the
  medical expense indemnity corporation, hospital service  corporation  or
  health service corporation.
    (c)  The  rate charged for such extended coverage shall be the same as
  that charged while the dependent is enrolled as a full-time student.