United Technologies extends health insurance to employees’ adult children

United Tech extends insurance to employees’ kids

HARTFORD, Conn. — United Technologies says it will extend health care benefits to employees’ unmarried dependent children up to age 26 who aren’t eligible for group coverage elsewhere.

The company says the move comes four months before federal law requires it. It’s offering the benefit at the same rates employees now pay for other dependent children. The federal requirement kicks in Sept. 23.

United Technologies Corp. is the parent company of jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, elevator maker Otis and other businesses. It’s based in Hartford, Conn. It has a payroll of about 72,000 employees in the United States.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney says the work force of United Technologies is large enough for the company to absorb the cost.

A United Technologies spokesman says the cost is unknown because the company doesn’t know how many employees will sign up.