When I turn 26 later this year how long do I have to get my own health insurance as I will no longer be on my parents policy?


Answer

You have 60 days from the day you turn 26 to get your own health insurance plan, you can enroll before your birthday for coverage that starts when the old plan ends (when you are dropped from your parent's family plan). Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • During open enrollment you can enroll in a plan at anytime, outside of open enrollment turning 26 will trigger a 60 day special enrollment period to get coverage. However, you can enroll before your 26th to make sure your plan is in place when your old coverage ends. Generally, coverage you purchased before the 15th of the month starts on the 1st of the following month.
  • You can go less than three months without coverage a year and won't owe the fee for those months (must take an exemption with the 8962 form).
  • Most young people qualify for Medicaid or Marketplace coverage. However, you can only get Marketplace cost assistance if you don't have coverage through an employer and make between 100% - 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
  • If you are unsure of how much money you will make, consider claiming premium tax credits at the end of the year instead of taking advanced premium tax credits (you may have to repay tax credits if you take too much up front). We suggest getting a Silver plan, find out why here. Keep in mind, tax credits are based on household income and so is Medicaid. That means if your parents claim you as a dependent after your 26th birthday it will affect your tax credit eligibility. Typically young adults get a much better deal filing themselves, but this differs in each situation.
  • Whatever you do, make sure to get "minimum essential coverage". This is the only type of coverage that will allow you to avoid the fee (ie don't get short term coverage).

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deathstar on

good answer but socialist obama is retarded and life will be better after his retarded obama care gets repealed next year.

Matt on

Mhm. How’s it feel to be conned? I’m laughing at you right now.

Rachel on

I guess our president, who actually tries to take care of the people who elected him, is a retard… He’s the smartest retard I’ve ever seen. Thanks Obama for not being caught up in the greed of money! 🙂

Lee on

Lol, The affordable health care act is NOT affordable !!!

Stephanie Badi on

Yeah no greed on Bo’s part. He only made insurance companies rich off the middle class. Sfa

Edward Brown on

Thank You ALL for putting us on the right path

Joseph James on

Thank you! This information was very helpful as I turned 26 one week ago and have been scared private insurance will cost thousand supine thousands of dollars (who’s your file and I do not have)

Travis on

My son is on our insurance and is currently on our plan he turns 26 in 20 days. He is enrolled in a rehab facility right now and is supposed to be there until September. How will this work with his insurance coverage?

ObamaCareFacts.com on

Great question. This is very likely not going to be a simple thing. I would think the first step would be to ask the insurer. After that, if he does have to move plans mid-treatment, it is a matter of his income. Is he making enough to afford coverage (with or without cost assistance), or is he going to qualify for Medicaid (this will depend on what state he lives in). Hard to give a specific answer without knowing the specifics, and even then I’m unsure how mid-treatment is handled without further research. Hope at least this points you in the right direction though!

sheran ferrin on

i can not afford insurance n i paid 450.00 month last year and i still get penalize 3000 on my tax return