How Long Can You Stay on Your Parent's Health Insurance?

How Long Can You Stay On Your Parent’s Health Insurance?

Most young adults can easily stay on their parent’s health insurance plans until they reach age 26, as long as the plan covers dependents.¹ However, there may be exceptions, and every dependent will eventually have to find their own coverage. Knowing the age restrictions for dependents on each insurance plan and exploring how to get new health insurance can help make the transition easier. While Aflac doesn’t offer traditional health insurance, we do offer supplemental health insurance to complement existing plans and help pay for out-of-pocket expenses. Read on to learn more about how long you can stay on your parent’s health insurance.

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Key Takeaways

Most people can stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26, but there may be exceptions.¹
When you're turning 26, you have several health insurance options, including both public and private options.
Aflac does not offer primary health insurance, but our supplemental health insurance policies can help reduce your out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

How Long Can Kids Stay on Their Parent’s Health Insurance?

Most states allow children to stay on their parent’s health insurance until the age of 26.² However, this is only possible if the parent’s insurance plan allows coverage for dependent children, which may not always be the case.²

There are some exceptions when adults are able to stay on their parents’ insurance beyond age 26:

State exceptions: Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin allow people to stay on their parents’ insurance past age 26, but each has its own regulations.³ Qualification is usually determined by marital status, whether or not they’re a veteran, disability status, or whether they have their own dependents.
People with disabilities: Some states allow children with disabilities to stay on their parents’ insurance indefinitely.
Age: Elderly parents may be able to be covered on their children's health insurance plans.⁴

The rules vary widely from state to state, so we recommend you research the specific laws where you live.

How to Plan for Falling Off a Parent’s Health Insurance

If you turn 26 and do not qualify to stay on your parent’s health insurance plan, it’s crucial to know how to get your own insurance coverage. When you get off your parents’ insurance, there are other options available:

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: Your employer may offer health insurance options. These plans may be able to offer you a decent premium payment depending on your coverage goals. However, you may not be able to take this insurance coverage with you if you switch jobs.¹
School-Sponsored Health Insurance: If you are in college, your institution may offer you school-sponsored health insurance with low copays. This depends on each school, so we recommend chatting with an advisor on your campus.¹
The Health Insurance Marketplace: If you can’t get coverage through your employer or school, there is a health insurance marketplace where you can apply for the insurance coverage that best meets your needs. You can explore your options based on your state’s individual marketplace or at https://www.healthcare.gov/.¹
Medicaid: Medicaid is a type of health insurance offered through federal and state governments to help low-income adults, families, people with disabilities, elderly adults, children and pregnant women. Medicaid coverage is administered according to federal guidelines. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on how much income you receive and you must typically be a resident in the state that you apply.¹

You can only sign up for an insurance plan during a specific time of the year, known as open enrollment, unless you fall under a qualifying event.² Fortunately, no longer qualifying for a parent’s insurance plan is a qualifying event.⁴

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Can I Have My Own Health Insurance Policy and Still Be on a Parent’s Insurance?

Yes, you can typically have your own health insurance policy while still being covered under your parent's insurance. This is known as dual coverage. However, it's essential to review the details of both policies carefully to ensure there are no conflicts or limitations, as well as to understand how the coordination of benefits works. In some cases, having multiple insurance policies can provide added coverage and flexibility for healthcare expenses. Consulting with both insurance providers can help clarify any questions or concerns you may have regarding dual coverage.

How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan

Choosing the right health insurance plan as a young adult can seem daunting, but these tips can help simplify the process:

Assess your needs: Consider your current health status, any ongoing medical needs, and your budget. Are you generally healthy, or do you have specific healthcare requirements?

Consider your health insurance plan options: Evaluate the different types of plans available like HMOs, PPOs, and high-deductible plans. Each has its pros and cons in terms of cost, network size, and flexibility.

Think about the costs: Look beyond just the monthly premium. Factor in deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance rates. A plan with a lower premium might have higher out-of-pocket costs when you actually need medical care.

Consider network coverage: Check to see if your preferred doctors, hospitals, and specialists are included in the plan's network. Going out of network can result in significantly higher costs.

Reduce Healthcare Costs with Supplemental Insurance

In addition to primary health insurance, a supplemental health plan can help you reduce out-of-pocket costs by covering expenses that aren’t covered by a primary plan. Aflac offers supplemental insurance plans that pay you cash benefits for covered illnesses and injuries. Chat with an agent to better understand our supplemental health insurance options, including cancer, critical illness, accident,hospital, and short-term disability insurance.

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