Beyond the storm of controversy over health-care reform, here’s a talking point: Parents with young adult children should sleep a bit easier at night.

That’s because the historic legislation provides a bigger family safety net — a provision that allows dependent children to remain on their parents’ health insurance plan with at least minimum coverage until their 26th birthday.

An estimated two million young adults, including many just getting out of school and trying to land a job, could benefit from this federal mandate, according to an analysis by the Young Invincibles, a health care lobbying group that represents 18- to 34-year olds.

This coverage option takes effect in September. And, oh yes, expect higher premiums associated with the change.

Young adults ages 19 to 29 are among the largest segments of the population without health insurance, various studies show. They often lose coverage on family plans when they graduate from high school or college, and are uninsured until they enter the workforce.

But, many “young invincibles” also forego health coverage regardless of availability, in effect gambling that they’ll be bulletproof from illness or serious injury.

The new provision will end some of this risky behavior right down to mending a broken finger here or there or scheduling a check-up.

Despite the hoopla, the dependent care coverage provision is not all that different from what’s currently on the books in most states, including Missouri and Kansas.

Missouri provides coverage on family plans up to age 25; in Kansas coverage ends at age 19 to 23 depending on college-student status. A handful of states actually extend coverage beyond age 26, so experts expect the state law in those areas will still apply.

Here are some issues to consider about the dependent care provision.

Coverage options. The new provision generally applies only to medical insurance. Dental and vision benefits appear to be left up to specific plans and companies.

Keep in mind that another key reform prohibits insurers from denying health coverage to anyone because of a pre-existing medical condition. This will benefit about 15 percent of young adults who suffer from chronic conditions, Young Invincibles said.

The cost. The medical care expansion comes at a cost, though how much depends on your family health care plan. According to the Young Invincibles’ analysis, parents might see their premiums go up “slightly” to pay for young adult dependent coverage.

Before making any decisions, compare your family coverage with the cost of purchasing an individual health care policy for your son or daughter. Many individual plans provide basic coverage for about $50 a month; comprehensive plans are available starting at about $100 a month.

Enrollment traps. Suppose you have a college student graduating in May. Because the dependent-care provision won’t kick in for about four months, your grad might have a gap in coverage whether he’s currently on your plan or not. Some insurers, for example, automatically drop students within weeks after graduation.

In these situations, the wisest course of action may be to purchase temporary coverage, such as student plans offered by colleges or through federal COBRA, until your twenty-something is eligible to join your plan or return to it.