Real answers for your healthcare questions
What happens to my health insurance when I turn 26?
Answer
If you are covered as a dependent on a parent's health plan, turning 26 commonly ends your eligibility for that dependent coverage. Losing that coverage can create a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new health plan.
What to Know
Your options may include an employer plan, Marketplace coverage, Medicaid if eligible, or another individual plan. The exact date your parent's coverage ends can depend on the plan, so it may not always end on your birthday itself.
What to Do Next
Ask the current plan when your coverage will end and start shopping before that date. Compare employer and Marketplace options early enough to avoid a gap in coverage.
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