Most children can easily stay on their parent’s health insurance plans until they reach a certain age, but they will eventually have to find insurance coverage independently. Children on their parent's plans are considered dependents – and rely on another person for 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.
Aflac does not offer traditional health insurance, but instead offers supplemental health insurance to complement existing plans and help pay for out-of-pocket expenses. However, the age limit applies to most supplemental insurance plans too. Understanding these guidelines can help parents and children get coverage support when they need it most.
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Most states allow children to stay on their parent’s health insurance until the age of 26.1 However, this is only possible if the parent’s insurance plan allows coverage for dependent children, which may not always be the case.1 There are some unique circumstances where this age limit can be extended, depending on the state you live in.
Children with disabilities can stay on their parent’s health insurance indefinitely in some states.1 Additionally, in most cases, children under the age of 26 can remain on their parent’s plan regardless of whether they are married.
This deadline can be extended in some states until the age of 30 depending on the children’s marital status, whether they are a veteran, their disability status or whether they have children.1 Elderly parents may also be able to be covered on their children’s health insurance plans.2 This widely varies from state to state, so we recommend you research the specific laws where you live.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedIf 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. Luckily, when you get off your parents’ insurance, there are other options available:
If you turn 26 within the coverage year, you may want to have a backup insurance plan mapped out. When you do turn 26, you’ll no longer qualify for your parent’s insurance coverage and need to have a new plan ready. Let’s visit a visualization to see how this pans out.
Alex is currently 25 years old, and he turns 26 on April 15th, 2026. His father’s open enrollment begins on June 1st, 2025, so he can still sign up under his parent’s coverage. The following coverage year starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st, 2026. This means he will be able to stay on his dad’s plan until December 31st, 2026.1
For context, you can only sign up for an insurance plan during a specific time of the year, otherwise known as open enrollment, unless you fall under a qualifying event.2 Luckily, no longer qualifying for a parent‘s insurance plan is considered a qualifying event and Alex can sign up for new insurance coverage outside of the typical open enrollment period.3
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.
Choosing the right health insurance plan as a young adult can seem daunting, but these tips can help simplify the process:
Once you exceed the age a child can remain on a parent’s health insurance plan, you have access to many health and supplemental insurance options. If you have a primary health insurance plan in place, you can utilize our supplemental plan to get more coverage.
Sometimes, significant expenses are expected to be paid out-of-pocket within primary health insurance plans. Aflac offers supplemental support and pays you cash benefits, unless assigned otherwise, for various categories to help minimize financial stressors. Some of the categories we provide support for are cancer, critical illness, accident insurance, hospital and short-term disability.
We understand how stressful it can be to lose insurance coverage or not get the coverage you need. That’s why Aflac is here. Chat with an agent to better understand your supplemental health insurance options.
Get StartedChild life insurance can guarantee coverage for them and can offer a cash value benefit later on. Learn what child life insurance is and the pros and cons.
Looking for student health insurance? Learn how health insurance for college students works and the types of student health insurance plans available.
1 The Balance - How Long Can You Stay on Your Parent’s Health Insurance? Updated September 9, 2024. Accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.thebalance.com/how-long-can-you-stay-on-your-parent-s-health-insurance-5188739.
2 Parents - How and When To Add Your Parents to Your Health Care Plan. Updated January 30, 2025. Accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.parents.com/parenting/money/insurance/dd-parents-health-insurance/.
3 Forbes Advisor - When Is Open Enrollment For Health Insurance? Updated February 20, 2024. Accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/when-is-open-enrollment/.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Accident, A36000 series: In Delaware, Policies A36100DE—A36400DE, & A363OFDE. In Idaho, Policies A36100ID–A36400ID, & A363OFID. In Oklahoma, Policies A36100OK– A36400OK, & A363OFOK. In Virginia, Policies A36100VA – A36400VA, & A363OFVA. A37000 series: In Delaware, Policy A371AA & A371BA. In Idaho, Policy A37000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy A37000OK. In Virginia, Policies A371AAVA & A371BAVA.
Cancer/Specified-Disease, B70000 series: In Delaware, Policies B70100DE, B70200DE & B70300DE. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK, B70200OK, B70300OK, B7010EPOK, B7020EPOK. 75000 series: In Virginia, policies A75100VA–A75300VA. Cancer insurance is also known as specified disease insurance in some states.
Critical Illness/Specified Health Event, A74000 series: In Delaware, Policies A74100DE, A74200DE, A74300DE. In Idaho, Policies A74100ID, A74200ID, A74300ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A74100OK, A74200OK, A74300OK. In Virginia, Policies A74100VA, A74200VA, A74300VA. A73000 series: In Delaware, Policies A73100DE & A7310HDE. In Idaho, Policies A73100ID & A7310HID. In Oklahoma, Policies A73100OK & A7310HOK. In Virginia, Policy A73100VA & A7310HVA. B71000 series: In Delaware, Policies B71100, B71200, B7130H & B7140H. In Oklahoma, Policies B71100OK & B7110HOK.
Dental, A82000 series: In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Hospital B40000 series: In Delaware, Policies B40100DE & B4010HDE. In Idaho, Policies B40100ID & B4010HID. In Oklahoma, Policies B40100OK & B4010HOK. In Pennsylvania, Policies B40100PA & B4010HPA. In Virginia, Policies B40100VA & B4010HVA.
Disability A576000 series: In Delaware, Policies A57600DE & A57600LB. In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In New York, Policy NY57600. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK & A57600LBOK. In Virginia, Policies A57600VA & A57600LBVA.
Life, A68000 series: Term Life Policies: In Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. Whole Life Policies: In Idaho, Oklahoma, & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Q60000 series/Whole: In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Q60000 series/Term: In Delaware, Policies Q60200CM. In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C.
Coverage underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Accident: In Delaware, Policy T37000. In Idaho, Policies T37100IDR, T37200IDR, & T37300IDR. In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. In Virginia, Policies T37100VA, T37200VA, T37300VA, T37400VA, T37600VA.
Cancer/Specified Event: In Delaware, Policy T70000. In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T70000OK.. In Virginia, policies T70000VA & T70000GVA.
Critical Illness: In Delaware, Policy T71000. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Virginia, Policy T71100VA.
Dental: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing.
NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Life: In Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, & Virginia, Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Aflac New York| 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211
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