How to get or stay on a parent’s plan
If a parent’s health insurance plan covers dependents, you usually can be added to their plan and stay on it until you turn 26.
Covered by a parent’s plan and about to turn 26? See how to get your own health coverage.
How to get added to a parent’s insurance plan
- Job-based plans: Your parent can add you to their insurance during the plan’s yearly Open Enrollment Period or during a . Your parent should check with the plan or their employer’s benefits department for details.
A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount.
Refer to glossary for more details.
- Plans bought through the Health Insurance Marketplace®: When a parent applies for a new plan in the Marketplace, they can include you on their application. They can add you to an existing Marketplace plan only during the yearly or a Special Enrollment Period.
The yearly period (November 1 – January 15) when people can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan.
Refer to glossary for more details.
You can stay on a parent’s plan until you turn 26
Once you’re on a parent’s job-based plan, in most cases you can stay on it until you turn 26.
Generally, you can join a parent’s plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you:
- Get married
- Have or adopt a child
- Start or leave school
- Live in or out of your parent’s home
- Aren’t claimed as a tax dependent
- Turn down an offer of job-based coverage
If you’re covered by a parent’s job-based plan, your coverage usually ends when you turn 26. But check with the employer or plan. Some states and plans have different rules.
If you’re on a parent’s Marketplace plan, you can remain covered through December 31 of the year you turn 26 (or the age permitted in your state).
