How long can a child stay on your health insurance?

Asked by: Nathanial Gislason  |  Last update: May 2, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (70 votes)

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.

Do I lose my parents' insurance the day I turn 26?

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).

Do I lose my parents' insurance the day I turn 26 in United Healthcare?

In the United States, you typically can stay on your parents' health insurance plan until you turn 26. Since you just turned 26, you will generally lose coverage on your parents' plan at the end of the month in which you turn 26. For example, if your birthday is in August, your coverage would end on August 31.

Can I drop my 17 year old from my health insurance?

How long can children stay on their parents' insurance? Most states allow you to stay on your parents' health plan until you turn 26 years old, though there are a few states that offer extensions under certain circumstances.

Can I stay on my parents' insurance if I file taxes independently?

Do my parents have to claim me as a tax dependent for me to be on their health plan to age 26? No. You do not need to be a tax dependent of your parents to continue to be covered on their health plan.

How Long Can Your Child Be On Your Health Insurance

33 related questions found

Can I stay on my parents insurance if I don t live with them?

Yes, you are eligible to be covered on your parent's plan up to age 26 regardless of where you live. However, your parent's health plan probably has a network of participating providers and it may be difficult for you to find in-network care when you are living in another state.

When should I stop claiming my child as a dependent?

To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.

When can I remove my child from my 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.

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.

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.

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

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer coverage to children on their parents' plan to make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26.

How long can an adult child stay on their parents' health insurance?

If your parent's plan covers dependents, you usually can get added to or stay on your parent's health plan until you turn 26 years old. You can join or remain on a parent's plan even if you are: Married.

What is an example of a life-changing event?

Household changes

Getting married. Getting divorced. Having a baby or adopting a child. Experiencing a death of the primary policyholder in the family.

Does turning 26 count as a life event for insurance?

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.

Does insurance go down after 26?

On average, auto insurance rates for 25-year-olds are cheaper than rates for younger drivers. Auto insurance premiums tend to decrease as you get older, until about age 75. But your age is just one factor insurers consider when setting rates.

How much is a cobra for a 26 year old?

Cost Of COBRA Continuation For Adult Children

As the parent's employer is no longer subsidizing a portion of the adult child's health insurance, the full monthly premium is the responsibility of the insured. The average is $400 – 700 per month when continuing on COBRA.

Can my parents take me off their insurance before 26?

Individuals under the age of 26 can stay on their parents' health insurance plan even if they have health insurance available through their employer, have children, are not claimed as a tax dependent, are married or live outside of their parents' home.

At what age is a parent not legally responsible?

The Duration of Parents' Legal Obligations: The Basics

In most states, parental obligations typically end when a child reaches the age of majority, 18 years old. But, check the laws of your state, as the age of majority can be different from one state to the next.

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.

Do I lose my parents' insurance on my 26th birthday?

If you are on your parent's employer-based plan, coverage usually lasts through the month of your 26th birthday. For example, if your birthday is on May 1, you'll have coverage through May 31.

How long can a child be a dependent?

Make sure your dependent meets the IRS requirements. Generally, the IRS requires that the child is under the age of 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student), lives with you for more than half the year, and does not provide more than half of their own financial support.

What age do you get kicked off your parents' car insurance?

There is no age limit that prevents you from staying on your parents' car insurance policy as a listed driver, as long as you live at home or if you're a full-time college student.

Is it better to not claim a college student as dependent?

College students who are funding more than half of their living expenses could see a financial benefit from filing independently. To file as an independent, however, a college student must provide for more than half of their financial needs. This includes housing, tuition, food, clothing, transportation, and more.

Can my parents still claim me as a dependent if I work?

You can claim a child who works as a dependent if they still meet the requirements to be a qualifying child – including the age, relationship, residency, and support tests.

What is the $3600 Child Tax Credit?

Lawmakers should, at a minimum, reinstate the successful 2021 American Rescue Plan expansion of the Child Tax Credit, including making the full credit available to children in families with low incomes and increasing the maximum amount of the credit to $3,600 for children aged 5 and younger and $3,000 for children aged ...