Can I drop my 18 year old from my health insurance?

Asked by: Mr. Maximillian Jones Jr.  |  Last update: September 8, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (28 votes)

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.

Can my parents take me off their health insurance when I turn 18?

Legally, child dependents can stay on their parents' health insurance until age 26, even if they are eligible through their own employer. Even if you get married, even if you move out, even if you make a million dollars a year. If you're under 26, you can be carried as a child dependent by your parent.

Can I remove my adult child from my health insurance?

If your adult child is turning or has turned 26, ask your insurance provider exactly when they will lose coverage - it could be the day of, the month of, or at the end of the year. If not, you have to wait until open enrollment to disenroll them. When they lost insurance, they get their own enrollment period.

Can my parents cut me off health insurance?

No, you can't remove yourself. Your parents have to have HR remove you, and (normally) it can only be done during open enrollment to be effective for the next policy period, usually the 1st of the year. And, no, Cigna is not going to deny a claim is you ask them to.

Do I have to keep my 18 year old on my health insurance?

Yes, the ACA permitted those under 26 to stay on their parent's plan but it is not a legal obligation. In fact, it isn't an obligation for a minor of any age to be covered by health insurance in the US although minors are guaranteed financially by their parents until 18.

When Do I Have To Get Off My Parent's Health Insurance

42 related questions found

Does insurance go down when you turn 18?

The most substantial reductions in auto insurance rates typically come as teen drivers get older, usually when they hit 18 or 19 years old. Rates continue to decline as you age, particularly once drivers pass the age of 25.

At what age are you no longer a dependent for health insurance?

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer dependent child coverage to make the coverage available until a child reaches the age of 26. Both married and unmarried children qualify for this coverage. This rule applies to all plans in the individual market and to all employer plans.

Can your parents remove you from their insurance?

Can my parents kick me off their health insurance before I turn 26? Yes, your parents can kick you off their health insurance. Once you turn 18, your health care bills are ultimately your responsibility, and so is having health insurance coverage.

Am I responsible for my 18 year old's medical bills?

“Normally, if you're 18 or older, you're considered the responsible party, even if you're insured under your parents' policy,” Gundling said.

Does a non-custodial parent have to pay for health insurance after 18?

Non-Custodial Parents Not Required to Pay for Health Insurance for Adult Children. The Affordable Health Care Act only makes insurance available to young adults up to 26 years of age. It does not mandate that parents purchase or provide that coverage.

When can I drop a dependent from my health insurance?

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.

Can I remove my son from my insurance?

You can remove a listed driver from your car insurance policy if they no longer live with you and no longer drive your vehicle. If you have a child away at college or who moves out temporarily, it's a good idea to keep them on your policy. Doing so ensures that they can drive your vehicle during breaks.

Do my parents have to keep me on their insurance?

It depends on your situation and where you live. Some states in the US allow young adults to stay on their parents' health insurance plans after 26 under certain circumstances. Other states allow dependents with disabilities to stay on their parents' health insurance indefinitely.

Can I drop my child from my health insurance when they turn 18 in California?

Health plans, including insured and self-insured group health plans, that provide dependent coverage of children are required to permit an adult child to stay on family coverage until age 26.

What to do when you age out of your parents insurance?

What Should I Do When I Turn 26 and Need My Own Health Insurance?
  1. Enroll in Job-Based Coverage. If you are employed, and your employer offers health benefits, you may qualify to enroll in health insurance through your employer. ...
  2. Enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace Plan. ...
  3. Student Health Plans.

Is Turning 26 a qualifying life event?

Turning 26 is a milestone birthday when it comes to health insurance because you're no longer eligible to stay on your parents' health plan. However, turning 26 is considered a qualifying life event—which makes you eligible (qualifies you) to buy health insurance during a special enrollment period.

Am I legally responsible for my 18 year old?

When does parental responsibility end? Your responsibility towards your child legally ends when your child gets to the age of 18 years. It also ends if they get married or enter into a registered partnership before 18 years. The court may also have the upper hand in terminating your parental responsibility.

Can your parents talk to doctors about insurance and billing after you turn 18?

Bills and payments will be addressed to you. This is the case even if you are under your parent's insurance plan. The billing department will not discuss payments with your parents or guardians others unless they have permission to share your health information.

Will my child's medical bills affect my credit?

Most healthcare providers do not report to the three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), which means most medical debt billed directly by physicians, hospitals or other healthcare providers is not typically included on credit reports and does not generally factor into credit scores.

When can you remove someone from your insurance?

Removing someone from a car insurance policy

If someone on your policy no longer lives with you and/or no longer drives your car, that's a good time to remove them. You will need to provide proof that the individual no longer lives with you.

What age do you get dropped from your parents insurance?

With the Affordable Care Act, you can stay on your parents' health insurance until age 26. If you're about to reach that milestone birthday, you must prepare for what comes next.

Do I have to claim my child as a dependent if they are on my insurance?

Tax status: you can add your child to your plan even if you don't claim them as a tax dependent.

Do I get kicked off my parents insurance the day I turn 26?

Will I lose my health coverage when I turn 26? If you have coverage in your own name when you turn 26, it won't be affected. But if you're a dependent on your parent's plan, you may lose coverage under that plan either at the end of your birth month or end of the calendar year.

At what age can you no longer claim a Dependant?

Under the age of 19 and be younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly), or: Be under age 24, be a full-time student, and be younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly), or. Be permanently and totally disabled regardless of age.

What is the 60 day loophole for cobras?

You have 60 days to enroll in COBRA once your employer-sponsored benefits end. Even if your enrollment is delayed, you will be covered by COBRA starting the day your prior coverage ended.