When does health insurance end for 26 year olds blue cross blue shield

If a parent’s health insurance plan covers dependents, you usually can be added to their plan and stay on it until you turn 26.

Covered by a parent’s plan and about to turn 26? See how to get your own health coverage.

How to get added to a parent’s insurance plan

• Job-based plans: Your parent can add you to their insurance during the plan’s yearly Open Enrollment Period or during a Special Enrollment Period. Your parent should check with the plan or their employer’s benefits department for details.
• Plans bought through the Health Insurance Marketplace®: When a parent applies for a new plan in the Marketplace, they can include you on their application. They can add you to an existing Marketplace plan only during the yearly Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.

You can stay on a parent’s plan until you turn 26

Once you’re on a parent’s job-based plan, in most cases you can stay on it until you turn 26.

Generally, you can join a parent’s plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you:

• Get married
• Have or adopt a child
• Start or leave school
• Live in or out of your parent’s home
• Aren’t claimed as a tax dependent
• Turn down an offer of job-based coverage

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 does health care reform mean for young adults?

Who is this for?

If you're a young adult and your group coverage is subject to the requirements of the ACA (some retiree groups are exempt), this information explains how health care reform will make it easier for you to get health insurance.

If you’re a young adult under the age of 26, you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about health insurance. You might not even have it. You don’t have to explain why—we all know insurance isn’t very exciting. But it’s important. And getting coverage might be easier than you think. 

For young adults who are 19 to 25 years old 

You can get coverage through your parents’ health care plan, as long as their plan covers dependents. You can stay on their plan until you’re 26, even if you’re:

• Married
• Not living with your parents
• Attending school or not
• Not financially dependent on your parents
• Eligible for your employer’s health insurance plan

Here are a few more things you need to know:

• Health insurance companies have to notify your parents in writing of a special enrollment period. During this time, your parents can enroll you in their plan so you’re covered.
• This coverage doesn't extend to your spouse or children.
• If your parents don't have health coverage and you can't get it through an employer, you can buy your own plan. You could qualify for financial assistance called a subsidy that helps pay for it, too.

If you're 26 years old, or will be soon

If you stay on your parents’ plan, you won’t have to worry about getting your own health coverage until you’re 26. Once you're 26, you'll have coverage until the end of your birth month. Some employers provide coverage until the end of the year. Have your parents check with their employer to see when your coverage ends.

After that, if you don't have employer-sponsored insurance, you can sign up for an individual plan.

Health insurance can be more affordable than you may think. We have individual plans available for all budgets. Don't forget to see if you qualify for financial assistance called a subsidy that lowers the cost of your plan.

In most cases, when you reach age 26 your parent can no longer keep you on his or her health plan.1

The good news is that losing your parent's health care coverage when you turn age 26 is a qualifying life event. This means you don’t have to wait for the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) to sign up for a health plan. Instead, based on where your parent got his or her health plan, you can get your own coverage around your 26th birthday.

Here's how it works:

If you were covered under a plan your parent bought from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), you’ll have within 60 days of your 26th birthday to sign up.

Or, if you were covered under a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, you’ll have until December 31 of the year you turn age 26 to sign up.

Why Get Health Care Coverage?

• We're a name you can trust. With 80 years of experience, BCBSIL is a trusted name in health care coverage. Stay protected with a company that has stood by generations of Illinois families.
• Accidents happen. Even if you’re in good health, you never know when you might have an accident or get sick. A trip to the hospital could cost more than you might expect. Learn more about the benefits of health care coverage.
• You may get financial assistance. BCBSIL has many health plan choices to fit your needs and budget. And if you earn less than $48,560 a year, you may be able to get help paying for your health care coverage costs. Estimate your subsidy, also known as a premium tax credit.

We're Here to Help You!

Send us a question or request more information. Our team is here to help you get a health care plan for yourself or family.

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