Turning 26: Can you stay on your parents health insurance plan ?

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A provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has allowed millions of 20-somethings to stay covered on a parent’s health insurance until the child turns 26. But once young adults have their 26th birthday, their health insurance options change.

Once you turn 26, you are no longer allowed to stay on your parent’s health insurance plan — unless you live in one of the seven states that allow individuals to stay on their parent’s plan until 30 or 31. However, there are still options for coverage, such as employer-sponsored health insurance or a plan through Healthcare.gov’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

Key Takeaways

Adults younger than 26 can be on their parent’s health insurance plan even if they’re married or have other health insurance options.
Most people cannot stay on a parent’s health insurance plan after they turn 26.
To stay on a parent’s health plan past 26, there are caveats. For example, you cannot be married.

Can you stay on your parent’s insurance after age 26?

In most cases, young adults can remain on their parent’s policy until they reach 26. Usually, this applies even if you aren’t a dependent, are married, have your own dependents, or have another job that offers health insurance.

This coverage usually ends the day before you turn 26 if you are on a parent’s employer-sponsored health plan. If the plan is through the Marketplace, you can stay on until Dec. 31 of the year you turn 26.

If you turn 26 and are removed from your parent’s health insurance plan, you qualify for a special enrollment period and can get your own policy.

How to stay on a parent’s insurance until 30

If you need to stay on your parent’s coverage past 26, you may be in luck, depending on where you live. A handful of states allow young adults to stay on their parent’s coverage until 30 or 31. Seven states in the U.S. will let you remain on your parent’s insurance until 30 or 31:

Florida
Illinois
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Wisconsin

Depending on where you live, additional laws may allow you to stay on your parent’s plan beyond age 26. For example, New York residents may stay on their parent’s policies until age 30, but only if they’re unmarried.

Should you skip health insurance if you’re in your 20s?

If you’re in your 20s and feeling perfectly healthy, it can be tempting to skip health insurance to save money each month. However, going without coverage carries significant financial and medical risks.

Health insurance isn’t a requirement in most states. Only five states – California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia – require residents to have health insurance. But it’s wise to get health insurance even if you’re young and healthy.

Accidents or severe illnesses can happen unexpectedly, and going without health insurance could cause huge out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Some people delay care and don’t get the necessary preventive care they need because they don’t have health insurance. This can be costly and a severe detriment to your health and financial future in the long run.

What are the best health insurance options available after 26?

The ACA made it easier for people to find an individual or small group policy through the Health Insurance Marketplace, allowing them to search for and compare health plans in one place.

Here are alternatives when you’re losing your parent’s health insurance.

Your employer’s health insurance: The easiest and cheapest way to get health insurance is through your job. Employers pay a large portion of health care costs, which makes it a cheaper option than most alternatives for a young adult.
Spouse’s health plan: If you’re married, you can be added to a spouse’s health plan. Adding another person to the plan will likely increase premiums. However, you’ll get medical coverage, which is usually more affordable than other options.
COBRA: COBRA requires employers with 20 or more employees to extend health coverage to people who lose their employer-sponsored group health insurance. Before the ACA, COBRA insurance was how most Americans got health insurance after being laid off.
Individual health plan: An individual plan through the ACA health insurance marketplace can be an affordable option, depending on your income. But while ACA plans offer comprehensive benefits, individual plans can be expensive if you don’t qualify for subsidies.
Medicaid: You may be eligible for Medicaid if you’re considered low-income. Medicaid provides the same level of comprehensive health insurance as a private insurer, but the coverage comes at much lower costs based on your income. Check with your state’s Medicaid program to see if you qualify.
Catastrophic health plan: Catastrophic health plans are available for people younger than 30 or those facing specific hardships, such as homelessness. These plans have low premiums and comprehensive benefits similar to those found in a standard health insurance plan.

Final thoughts

After your 26th birthday, you will no longer be eligible to stay on your parent’s health insurance plan. But there are many different health insurance plans available, and it’s important to find one that meets your needs and budget. Be sure to compare different plans before making a decision.

Consider signing up for a plan through your job. Many employers offer health insurance benefits to their employees. If you are working full-time, ask your employer about the health insurance options available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you have to get health insurance after you turn 26

You typically have a 120-day window – 60 days before and 60 days after your 26th birthday – to enroll in health insurance under a special enrollment period.

Do I lose my parent’s health insurance the day I turn 26?

Yes, you usually lose coverage from your parents when you turn 26. However, insurers and employers may give some leeway.

You can often keep your parents’ insurance until the end of your birth month. Some plans may even cover a dependent child until the end of that year.

A parent can contact the health plan or employer to find out when the child will become ineligible. It’s a good idea to inquire well before the 26th birthday so that your child can begin looking for other coverage.

Can you stay on your parents’ insurance after 26 if you are in school?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can usually stay on your parents’ health insurance until age 26, regardless of whether you’re a full-time student. After 26, most plans won’t cover you, even if you’re still in school. However, some states have laws that extend dependent coverage beyond age 26, but these usually come with specific eligibility requirements.

Source:

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “What should I do when I turn 26 and need my own health insurance?” Accessed March 2025.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.