Is it okay to have 2 medical insurance?

Asked by: Prof. Vernie Gaylord IV  |  Last update: April 22, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (50 votes)

Most individuals only have one health insurance plan, known as “primary” insurance. However, some people also secure additional medical coverage or a “secondary” insurance plan. Having dual coverage is perfectly legal.

Is it worth it to have two health insurances?

There are some situations where having two health insurance plans can help you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. For example, if you have two health insurance plans that cover different areas of your medical needs, then one policy may cover one area while another policy covers the other area.

Is it beneficial to have primary and secondary insurance?

You may find secondary insurance useful in lowering your health costs depending on how much coverage your primary insurer offers and its costs. If your primary insurance denies coverage, secondary insurance may or may not pay some part of the cost, depending on the insurance.

Can I have my own health insurance and be on my parents at the same time?

Yes, you can have both coverages (``dual coverage'') but be aware that your coverage you have through your work is your primary and your parent's coverage is your secondary.

Can you have dual coverage with medical?

Medicare Medi-Cal Plans (MMPs or Medi-Medi Plans)

When dual eligible beneficiaries choose a Medicare plan that is an MMP, they are automatically enrolled in the Medi-Cal plan that aligns with their Medicare plan, so there is one organization coordinating care across both sets of benefits.

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What happens if you have medical and private insurance?

Even if you have other health coverage such as health insurance from your work, you may still qualify for Medi-Cal. If you qualify, Medi-Cal will cover allowable costs not paid by your primary insurance. Under federal law, Medi-Cal beneficiaries' private health insurance must be billed first before billing Medi-Cal.

How to tell which insurance is primary?

The insurance that pays first is called the primary payer. The primary payer pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second is called the secondary payer. The secondary payer only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn't cover.

How to get secondary health insurance?

If you buy a medical plan on your own through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you can purchase supplemental or secondary coverage through a private insurance company. If you get your medical plan through your employer, you may have the option to add one or more secondary or supplemental plans during enrollment.

Can I stay on my parents' insurance if I have my own insurance?

Can I stay on my parent's policy? If you are under age 26, yes. Eligibility for health benefits through your own job does not make you ineligible to be covered as a dependent on your parent's policy up to the age of 26.

Do you still pay a copay if you have two insurances?

In most cases their secondary policy will pick up the copay left from the primary insurance. There are some cases where the secondary policy also has a copay and those patients may end up with a copay applied after both insurances process the claim.

Which insurance should be my primary?

How do you determine which health insurance is primary? Determining which health plan is primary is straightforward: “If you are covered under an employer-based plan, that is primary,” Mordo says. If you also were covered under a spouse's plan, that would be secondary, he adds.

What is double insurance?

Double insurance refers to the method of getting insurance of same subject matter with more than one insurer or with same insurer under different policies. This means that one can get insurance policies on a subject matter more than its value. Double insurance is possible in all types of insurance contracts.

Can I have a high deductible health plan and a secondary insurance?

Other coverage that is allowed in addition to an HDHP

The IRS does allow you to have some types of coverage in addition to your HDHP, without jeopardizing your eligibility to contribute money to your HSA.

What is the difference between a PPO and a HMO?

HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral. Out-of-pocket medical costs can also run higher with a PPO plan.

Can you have two health insurances with Medicaid?

The simple answer to the question of “can you have both Medicaid and private insurance?” is a resounding “YES”! Medicaid is given to low-income U.S citizens in need and will not be disputed due to already enrolled in a private health insurance program.

How does primary and secondary insurance work?

As you probably know, your primary health insurance covers your basic medical expenses like doctors' visits, lab tests and prescription drugs ― as well as some great perks . But your medical plan can't cover everything. A separate plan that offers additional benefits is called secondary insurance.

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 I insure my son's car if he owns it?

You cannot typically obtain insurance for a vehicle not registered in your name, but there are ways to ensure you're still covered behind the wheel. Whether you're driving a friend or family member's car or have been gifted a vehicle under another person's ownership, it's the legal owner's responsibility to insure it.

Is it OK to have 2 health insurances?

Can I have 2 health insurance plans at the same time? Yes. A process called coordination of benefits determines which insurance plan will pay first. Your primary plan will pay for the health claim first, paying the costs up to the plan's coverage limits, and then your second plan will kick in.

What is the best health insurance company to go with?

Best Health Insurance Companies for 2025
  • Best Overall and Best for Self-Employed: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best Widely Available Plans: UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best for Low Complaints and Best for Chronic Conditions: Aetna.
  • Most Affordable: Molina Healthcare.

Will secondary pay if primary denies?

It depends on which insurance is considered “primary” and which is “secondary.” The insurance that pays first (primary payer) pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second (secondary payer) only pays if there are costs the primary insurance didn't cover.

Will I lose my Medicaid if I get Medicare?

People who have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are “dually eligible.” Medicare pays first when you're a dual eligible and you get Medicare-covered services. Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have.

Can secondary insurance cover copay?

In most cases, the secondary policy will cover the copay left by primary insurance. Sometimes secondary policy will also leave some copay and that needs to end up with copay applied to either patient or any other policy of patient.