How Long Can You Stay On Your Parents’ Insurance? (2025)
- How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents’ Insurance?
- What Happens When You Turn 26 on Your Parents’ Insurance?
- Dependent Insurance Age Limit in the Six Largest States
- How to Stay on Your Parents’ Insurance Plan After 26 (if Applicable)
- Why Do I Need Health Insurance?
- Health Insurance Options for Young Adults After 26
- Tips for Choosing the Right Health Insurance Coverage at 26
- Find the Ideal Insurance Solution With ConsumerShield
How long can you stay on your parents insurance? Quick Answer
- Most adults lose coverage under their parents’ health insurance at age 26, though eight states allow coverage until age 30. After aging out, options include employer plans, individual marketplace insurance, Medicaid, or COBRA. Explore these choices to maintain health coverage.
Summary
- Most adult children age off their parents’ insurance at 26
- Eight states permit you to stay on your parents’ insurance until age 30
- You have several options to obtain health insurance at age 26
Becoming a young adult gives you a lot of freedom, but it also means becoming responsible for many of the expenses your parents covered as you grew up, including healthcare.
You know there will come a day when you have to pay for your own health insurance, but you’re not sure when it is. For instance, can you stay on your parents’ insurance until 30?
Here’s a look at how long you can stay on your parents’ health plan and the options you have for coverage once you’re forced to leave it.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents’ Insurance?
Through the Affordable Care Act, you can stay on your parents’ health insurance until age 26. Ever since the law was enacted in 2010, young adults have had questions about maintaining coverage through their parents.
Part-time college students or those who chose not to go to school are likely to ask, “Do you have to be a full-time student to stay on your parents’ insurance?” Similarly, you might wonder what happens if you get pregnant while on your parents’ insurance.
Generally, the law allows you to join and stay on your parents’ health plan until you’re 26, even if you:
- Attend or leave college
- Live away from home
- Marry
- Have or adopt a child
- File your own taxes
- Refuse group health insurance at work
If your parents happen to be divorced, you also might ask, “Can both parents have health insurance on a child?” The answer is yes — this situation invokes the so-called “Birthday Rule,” where the parent with the earliest birthday in the year pays first, and the other parent’s insurance pays second.
If your parents have group health insurance through work, an employer can stop your insurance coverage at the end of the month in which you turn 26. For insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you can remain on your parents’ insurance until the end of the year in which you turn 26.
What Happens When You Turn 26 on Your Parents’ Insurance?
When you turn 26, you lose insurance coverage. You have a few options for securing new coverage:
Get Insurance Through an Employer
If your employer offers health insurance, you may choose to accept it. Most employers pay a portion of your monthly premium.
Purchase Insurance on Your Own
If you are eligible for Medicaid, you may qualify for state-sponsored health insurance coverage. If you aren’t, you can purchase a plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for a subsidy to help cover your monthly premiums.
Extend Coverage With COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows you to temporarily keep your coverage while you work on getting your own policy.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
Dependent Insurance Age Limit in the Six Largest States
Some adult children may still be covered by their parents’ medical insurance policies after turning 26. Here’s a look at the dependent insurance age limit for remaining on your parents’ health insurance in the nation’s six most populated states:
- Stay on Parents’ Insurance Until 30 in California: No
- Stay on Parents’ Insurance Until 30 in Florida: Yes
- Stay on Parents’ Insurance Until 30 in Illinois: Yes
- Stay on Parents’ Insurance Until 30 in New York: Yes
- Stay on Parents’ Insurance Until 30 in Pennsylvania: No
- Stay on Parents’ Insurance Until 30 in Texas: No
Eight states — Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin — permit higher dependent insurance age limits ranging from 29 to 31. Others allow disabled dependents incapable of sustaining employment on their own to remain on a parent’s health plan indefinitely.
How to Stay on Your Parents’ Insurance Plan After 26 (if Applicable)
Broadly speaking, once you turn 26, you’ll need your own health insurance coverage. If you live in a state that allows you to stay on your parents’ health insurance plan longer, you can do so.
If you have a disability that is expected to last a year and prevents you from supporting yourself through work, you may be able to stay on your parents’ health insurance policy. However, you must have a certificate from your doctor.
You can also continue the same coverage through COBRA for up to three years. During this time, you must pay the full insurance premium.
How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents’ Insurance After 26?
If you have a qualifying disability, you can often stay on your parents’ insurance indefinitely. You can keep COBRA coverage for up to three years.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
Why Do I Need Health Insurance?
As a young adult, you may feel healthy and wonder why you’d need to be among the millions of millions of people who have health insurance in the U.S. But even you may fall ill at some point, and accidents, by nature, are typically unexpected.
The charge for treating a broken leg can be as much as $7,500, and a three-day hospital stay can cost you as much as $30,000. At those prices, it might be a good idea to consider purchasing a catastrophic health plan with a low premium and high deductible to cover worst-case scenarios, such as visits to urgent care or the emergency room, especially if you’re no longer on your parents’ insurance.
Health Insurance Options for Young Adults After 26
Depending on where you live, you can begin preparing to take over responsibility for your health insurance before you turn 26 or 30. Here are several options for securing the health care services you need.
Group Health Insurance
Group health insurance might be offered through your employer or an organization you belong to. Also known as an employer-sponsored insurance plan, this type of policy can be a low-cost way to get health insurance In addition to group insurance, some employers also offer HRAs or HSAs, which can provide employees with more flexibility in managing healthcare costs.
Large employers (those with more than 50 employees) are required to offer group health insurance to their employees. Employers typically pay the bulk of the premium, making it easier for you to limit the percentage of your income going to health insurance.
Health Insurance Marketplace
You can apply for policies from some of the nation’s largest health insurance companies through the federal government’s Health Insurance Marketplace. Depending on your earnings, you may qualify for a subsidy that could cover your premium or make it less expensive.
School-Based Health Insurance
Many colleges and universities offer their students health coverage. If you’re in school, you may be able to seek coverage from your institution and roll the cost into your tuition, room, and board.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a public health insurance program run by the federal government that provides affordable health coverage for low-income individuals and families. You can check your state’s guidelines or apply through the federal marketplace to learn whether you might qualify for Medicaid.
Another possibility for maintaining affordable health insurance after you age off your parents’ plan is to continue the coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
Going this route allows you to continue receiving the same coverage you had for up to three years, though it can be expensive, as you’ll pay the full cost of the premium.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
Tips for Choosing the Right Health Insurance Coverage at 26
The right health insurance policy can save you thousands if you suffer a serious personal injury or unexpected illness. Here are some tips for choosing one:
Consider Healthcare Needs
If you routinely see a healthcare provider or take prescriptions, a plan with more coverage and a slightly higher premium may save money in the long run. If you only anticipate seeing a doctor in an emergency, a higher deductible plan with a lower premium may make more sense.
See Who Is in Network
If you already have relationships with one or more healthcare providers, check to see if they are in-network for each plan you’re considering.
Calculate Costs
For each plan you consider, calculate the hospital, office visit, and urgent care cost for an unexpected illness or injury. Factor in your deductible, required copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums. This will give you a clearer picture of how much each plan will realistically cost.
Find the Ideal Insurance Solution With ConsumerShield
If you’re nearing the cut-off age and want to discuss your evolving healthcare needs, the insurance professionals at ConsumerShield can answer whatever questions you may have, from insurance costs to selecting the right plan. We believe in sharing trustworthy information to empower decision-making. Contact us today for expert assistance.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
Health Insurance Knowledge Base
Read the latest information on Health Insurance and find answers to your questions. Currently there are 23 topics about Health Insurance .
-
Wisdom Tooth Remove Cost
-
Deductible Vs Out-Of-Pocket
Deductible Vs. Out-Of-Pocket Maximum: What’s The Difference?
-
Urgent Care Cost
-
Group Insurance
-
HRA vs. HSA
-
Part Work Disability
-
How Much Take
-
Insurance Worth It
-
Ambulance Ride Cost
-
Stay On Parents
-
How Much Dental
-
Hospital Indemnity Worth
-
Health Insurance
-
Other Benefits With SSDI
-
Working Rules On SSDI
-
SSI Vs. SSDI
-
Not Having Health Insurance
What Is A Consequence Of Not Having Health Insurance? (2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
-
While there are some exceptions, you can generally stay on your parents’ insurance until age 26.
-
If you qualify to stay on your parents’ insurance, it’s more advantageous for you financially to stick with it until you age off.
-
Yes. Your tax filing status doesn’t impact your eligibility for coverage under your parents’ health insurance plan.
-
You’ll still qualify for your parents’ health coverage if you get married as long as you’re under 26 in most states. In eight states, you must be under 30.
-
Yes. Your employment status doesn’t disqualify you from being covered by your parents’ health insurance. You can remain on their policy even if you declined employer-sponsored health insurance.