WASHINGTON — The health insurance industry has won a concession from the Obama administration on insurance coverage for children.

The Health and Human Services Department said today that insurers can set limited sign-up periods for a new kind of guaranteed coverage that is available to children regardless of medical problems.

Insurers were concerned the new health care law would allow parents to sign their children up in emergency rooms while the child is in the middle of a health crisis.

The administration now says insurers can limit the sign-up to an "open enrollment" period, for example, Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 for plans that start Jan. 1.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said it's "extremely pleased" with the decision.