Young Adults (under age 26)

Here is something you can expect right now...And there's more on the way! Young adults can stay on their parents' health care plans until age 26. Young adults may be able to keep or join their parents’ private health insurance plan, even if they are married, have jobs, move away from home, or are financially independent. For a printable version of this information, click here. What does this change mean for you? Does this rule apply to your parents' plan? Do you have to live with your parents or be financially dependent on them to be eligible? When can your parents add you to their health plan?	...	Online Health Care Guide Helpful programs for... Kids and Parents Pregnant Women Young Adults Disabled or Elderly Adults Other Adults What does national health care reform mean for... Kids Young Adults People with Pre-existing Conditions People with Medicare Everyone with Insurance Other helpful programs for many groups of people: COBRA Dental DirigoChoice and DHA Programs Hospital Programs Health Center Programs Mental Health Prescription Drug Programs Private Insurance Substance Abuse Other Resources Getting Quality Health Care

What does this change mean for you?
Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health plans could remove dependants from a parent's plan when they became young adults (usually at age 19). That left many college graduates and others without insurance. Now, most health plans that cover dependants must make coverage available to them up to age 26. By allowing you to stay on a parent's plan, the ACA makes it easier and more affordable for young adults to get or keep health insurance coverage.

Want more information? Email us or call 1-800-965-7476. And don't forget to look through our Online Health Care Guide (orange menu on the right) for current health care programs and resources.

Does this rule apply to your parents' plan?
This rule affects plans that offer coverage to dependants. It applies to "individual" plans (purchased outside of a workplace). It also applies to all employer plans, with one temporary exception. Until 2014, some employer plans that predate the ACA don't have to let young adults stay on their parents' plans until age 26 if those young adults have another offer of coverage through an employer. Beginning in 2014, young adults up to age 26 can stay on their parents' employer plans even if they have another offer of coverage through an employer.

Want more information? Email us or call 1-800-965-7476. And don't forget to look through our Online Health Care Guide (orange menu on the right) for current health care programs and resources.

Do you have to live with your parents or be financially dependent on them to be eligible?
No. You can join or remain on your parent's plan whether or not you are married, living on your own, in school, or financially dependent on your parents.

Want more information? Email us or call 1-800-965-7476. And don't forget to look through our Online Health Care Guide (orange menu on the right) for current health care programs and resources.

---

Definitions

What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
The Affordable Care Act is the name given to the comprehensive health care reform law enacted on March 23, 2010.

Want more information? Email us or call 1-800-965-7476. And don't forget to look through our Online Health Care Guide (orange menu on the right) for current health care programs and resources.

What is a "plan year" and "policy year"?
A plan year refers to a 12-month period of benefits coverage-which may not be the same as the calendar year. This period is called a policy year for individual health insurance policies. To find out when your plan or policy year begins, you can check your plan or policy documents or contact your employer or insurer. For example: if your plan has a calendar plan year, the new rules would apply to your coverage beginning January 1, 2011.

Want more information? Email us or call 1-800-965-7476. And don't forget to look through our Online Health Care Guide (orange menu on the right) for current health care programs and resources.

Young Adults are defined as adults under age 26.

Want more information? Email us or call 1-800-965-7476. And don't forget to look through our Online Health Care Guide (orange menu on the right) for current health care programs and resources.