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 allows individuals to stay on their parent’s plan until 30 or 31. But there are still options for coverage, such as employer-sponsored health insurance or a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about aging out of your parent’s health plan.

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.
Seven states allow young adults to stay on a parent’s plan until 30 or 31.
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?

For the most part, no. Young adults can remain on their parent’s health insurance 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 insurance plan. If the plan is through the Marketplace, you can stay on until December 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

There are some caveats for remaining on the plan that will vary by state. 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?

Health insurance isn’t a requirement in most states. Now, only five states — California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and the District of Columbia — require residents to have health insurance. While Americans in most states aren’t required to have health insurance, it’s still wise to get coverage — 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.

If you don’t want to pay a lot for health insurance, you can look into a high-deductible health plan that has lower premiums — but also higher out-of-pocket costs if you need medical care.

What are the best health insurance options available after 26?

The ACA created easier ways for people to find an individual or small group policy through the health insurance marketplace, which allows people to search for and compare health plans in one place.

However, there are other ways to get coverage. Here are alternatives when you’re losing your parents’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. It is less expensive than other options and usually has excellent benefits, but you are limited to the one or two plans that the employer offers.

Spouse’s health plan

If you’re married or get 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 and it’s usually more affordable than the options mentioned below. It is less expensive than other options and usually has comprehensive benefits.

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.

Though COBRA is often an avenue for people who get laid off, it’s also available for a child who ages out of their parent’s plan.

You have 60 days after losing coverage to elect COBRA coverage. You can stay on a COBRA plan between 18 and 36 months, depending on the reason for losing health coverage.

There is a downside. COBRA is expensive. How pricey? You have to pay for all of the health plan costs plus an administrative fee of up to 2% — without any help from the former employer.

The average annual family premium for an employer-sponsored health plan is more than $20,000 and the employer picks up most of those costs. However, in a COBRA plan, the individual pays all of those health insurance costs.

While COBRA provides the familiarity and protection of the former employer’s health plan, you don’t have an employer’s financial help to pay for the policy.

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, if you don’t qualify for subsidies, individual plans can be expensive.

Usually, only people whose income is below 400% of the federal poverty level (about $50,000 or less for a single person in 2021) can receive subsidies to lower premiums or get tax credits to help pay for health care. California has even more generous benefits (600% of the federal poverty level).

When you compare plans on the ACA marketplace, the site will tell you if you’re eligible for subsidies and provide premium estimates when you give your income data.

If you don’t qualify for subsidies, an individual plan can be pricey. Likely not as expensive as a COBRA plan, but more costly than if you enroll in an employer’s plan. People who don’t qualify for subsidies can also get an individual plan outside of the exchanges. These plans are directly through a health insurer and are more expensive than subsidized plans on the exchanges.

Individual plans through the exchanges are broken into four categories based on premiums and out-of-pocket costs:

Bronze: Lowest premiums; highest out-of-pocket costs
Silver: Higher premiums than Bronze but lower than Gold; lower out-of-pocket costs than Bronze
Gold: Lower premiums than Platinum but higher than Silver; lower out-of-pocket costs than Silver
Platinum: Highest premiums; lowest out-of-pocket costs

More than three-quarters of members in the exchanges market have either a Bronze or Silver plan. Not many insurers offer Platinum plans.

People buying an individual health insurance plan should consider the overall price, the amount you pay toward your care and the flexibility you will have to see specialists and doctors in your network. Compare plans from at least three insurers, if possible.

To be sure you’re choosing from among the top-rated carriers, review Insure.com’s ranking of the Best Health Insurance Companies, based on a survey of 3,160 policyholders on customer service, price, claims handling, website/app merit and renewal.

Medicaid

You may be eligible for Medicaid if you’re considered low-income.

Income requirements differ by state. Thirty-eight states and D.C. expanded Medicaid eligibility so that people up to 138% of the federal poverty level are eligible. Other states have stricter guidelines.

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.

Medicaid offers inexpensive coverage with similar benefits found in an employer-sponsored health plan, but despite expansion in 38 states, most Americans still don’t qualify for it.

Catastrophic health plan

Catastrophic health plans are available for people younger than 30 or those who are facing specific hardships, such as homelessness.

These plans have low premiums and comprehensive benefits that are similar to ones found in a standard health insurance plan. However, they also have high deductibles, so you pay more out-of-pocket costs when you need care than in another plan.

While catastrophic health plans offer low premiums and comprehensive coverage, they also have high out-of-pocket costs and deductibles, so you pay more when you need care.

Short-term health plan

Short term health insurance is a low-cost plan that can provide a safety net for catastrophic emergencies, but has limited benefits and can lead to hefty out-of-pocket costs.

A short-term health plan is available for a year and you can renew it two times. So, in effect, you can keep a short-term plan for three years.

Some states forbid companies from offering those plans. Critics charge that they don’t provide the comprehensive coverage found in an ACA plan. For instance, you may have trouble finding a short-term plan that covers maternity, mental health and prescriptions. In that case, you may wind up paying for that care yourself.

If you’re thinking about a short-term plan, make sure to read the fine print to see what is and isn’t covered.

Final thoughts

As you approach 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

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 months before the 26th birthday so that your child can begin looking for other coverage.

How can I stay on my parent’s insurance after 26?

You typically lose a parent’s health insurance when you turn 26. However, check with the employer or health plan to confirm that the plan will end when you turn 26.

Some states and health plans may extend coverage beyond your 26th birthday. For instance, it may keep you on the plan until the end of the month.

If you’re on an ACA marketplace plan, you typically can stay on a parent’s health plan until Dec. 31 of the year you turn 26.

What is the best health insurance for a 26-year-old?

The best health insurance plan depends on what you want from the plan and your health status.

Whether you’re 26 years old or 56 years old, you want to figure out what you want from a health plan and would you rather pay higher premiums or out-of-pocket costs. You typically have to pay more either to have coverage (premiums) or for health care services (out-of-pocket costs).

Two types of plans that could be a good fit are a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan.

HDHPs: HDHPs have lower premiums but a high deductible. A high-deductible plan can be a great choice if you don’t expect to need many doctor visits in the coming year.
HMOs: HMO has low premiums, but higher deductibles than an HDHP. An HMO has more restrictions than other plans, including needing referrals to see specialists and staying within your provider network. An HMO may be a wise choice if you’re OK with those restrictions.

What happens if you miss open enrollment?

Employers have open enrollment periods when employees can change benefits, including health insurance.

If you need health insurance after an open enrollment period closed, you can qualify for a special enrollment if you lost your parent’s health insurance.

What qualifies for a special enrollment period?

You’re qualified for a special enrollment period with a health insurance plan when you lose coverage on your parent’s health insurance.

Let’s look at an example. Let’s say you’re losing your health insurance from your parents. You’re eligible to join your employer’s group health plan. Losing your health coverage sparks a special enrollment period with your employer, so you can sign up for coverage. Those special enrollment periods are often 30 to 60 days.

You just need to show proof that you lost your coverage on a parent’s plan.

During the special enrollment period, your employer will provide you information about your options. Employers often have multiple options for health insurance.

Rather than an employer plan, you may also sign up for an ACA marketplace plan or individual health plan. Special enrollment for those plans is 60 days.

Can you get insurance after a qualifying
event?

You generally have to sign up for a health insurance plan within 30 or 60 days after a qualifying event. The exact number of days depends on the employer or health plan.

If you need a plan through the ACA exchanges, you’ll have a 120-day special enrollment window to buy a new health insurance policy regardless of when your parents’ plan’s coverage ends.

During this time, which begins 60 days before you turn 26 and ends 60 days after, you can purchase a new health plan. If you’re buying an individual plan that’s not on the ACA health insurance marketplace, you have 30 days after you turn 26.

Which states allow staying on parent’s insurance after 26?

There are seven states that will let you stay on your parents’ insurance after 26: Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin. These states will allow you to stay on your parents’ plan up to age 30 or 31. Additionally, there are some caveats on staying on your parents’ plan, such as not being allowed to be married.

– Les Masterson contributed to this story.

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura Longero is a content strategist and communications leader with more than 15 years of experience in content development in journalism, marketing and communications for start-ups to global companies. She started her career as a reporter and editor and honed her journalistic skills at the USA Today Network, working in several roles, as well as managing content and writing at MoneyGeek and XYZ Media.