How many 26 year olds have health insurance?

Asked by: Velma Ruecker MD  |  Last update: December 17, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (29 votes)

By 2023, the uninsured rate for 19 to 25-year-olds (13.1 percent) was slightly lower than the rate for 26 to 34-year-olds (14.0 percent) and slightly higher than the rate for 35 to 44-year-olds (12.3 percent). Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata (IPUMS), 2009-2023.

How much is average health insurance for 26 year old?

How much does health insurance cost for a 26-year-old? A Silver health insurance plan through the marketplace costs an average of $468 a month for a 26-year-old. You may qualify for ACA subsidies if you earn between $14,580 and $58,320 a year ($30,000 and $120,000 for a family of four).

Why do you lose health insurance at 26?

That's because, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), young adults typically qualify for dependent coverage under a parent's insurance plan until the end of the year they turn 26. In some states, you can stay on a parent's plan past age 26. You have many options when coverage under a parent's plan ends.

What insurance should I get as a 26 year old?

If you're 26 years old or older, you are no longer eligible to stay enrolled on your parent's plan, but you have other options for health coverage. Just as you did before age 26, you may be able to get health insurance through an employer-sponsored plan, an individual and family plan, or Medicaid (if you're eligible).

What is the age 26 rule for 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.

Turning 26? Discover the Best Health Insurance Options

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Does insurance go down at 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.

Is turning 26 a life-changing 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.

What age is insurance high?

But did you know that auto insurance rates tend to increase again later on in life? Aside from a handful of states, age is a significant rating factor that impacts drivers under the age of 25 and over the age of 70 the most. These higher rates reflect the increased risk of accidents among these age groups.

Do I get kicked off 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).

What is special about turning 26?

Your coverage usually ends the month you turn 26. Even if it's outside Open Enrollment, you'll be able to get a Marketplace plan because losing other coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period.

How to stay on your parents insurance after 26?

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.

How to get health insurance as a 26 year old student?

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.

What is the most expensive health insurance?

Platinum health insurance is the most expensive type of health care coverage you can purchase. You pay low out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and services, but high monthly premiums. Plans typically feature a small deductible or no deductible and cheap copays or coinsurance.

What happens when your child turns 26?

When your child reaches age 26, he or she is no longer eligible to be covered under your health benefits enrollment, unless your child is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26.

Does insurance go up after 25?

Does car insurance go down at 25? Insurers typically charge higher premiums for drivers younger than 25, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). But, as teen drivers get older, rates typically drop — as long as they maintain a good driving record, the III says.

Why is insurance so expensive for a 23 year old?

This may seem unfair because there are good drivers in every age group, but younger drivers are generally more likely to have accidents or take risks on the road. Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure.

What age is insurance cheapest?

Does car insurance become cheaper when you turn 25? On average, drivers will see their premiums begin to fall around age 25. This reflects the lower risk posed by drivers in their mid-20s as they gain driving experience and maturity, compared to a 17-year-old who has just passed their test.

How long do you have insurance after you turn 26?

If they have a policy through the ACA marketplace, you'll stay on their plan through Dec. 31. That's almost a whole extra year of coverage if you're a January baby! However, if your parents have an insurance policy through their work, your coverage will probably end on your birthday or at the end of that month.

Can you add a spouse to health insurance if they lose their job?

Yes, this is considered a “qualifying event” and they must be added within 31 days of the loss of coverage. You must submit a Life and Work Event request through ESS along with documentation from the previous insurance company that indicates the last day of coverage.

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance after 26?

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.

Why didn't my insurance go down when I turned 25?

A clean driving record will get you the best car insurance rates. Young drivers with a traffic violation, driving under influence, or car accident on their record can expect even higher rates. Depending on your driving history, your rates may also not drop at 25 years if you have a lot of violations.

What age does insurance get cheaper?

The biggest drop is typically from 18 to 19, when the average rate drops by around $1,595. Car insurance typically drops as you grow older, when you drive safely for three to five years following an accident or citation, and when you switch to a cheaper company.