Young Adults - FAQs:

Insurers are now required to permit children to stay on family policies until age 26.  This applies to all plans in the individual market, new employer plans, and existing employer plans,  unless your adult child  has an offer of coverage through his or her employer.  This requirement will take effect the next time your plan comes up for renewal.

Both married and unmarried adult children qualify for this dependent coverage.

Beginning in 2014, children up to age 26 can stay on their parent’s employer plan even if they have an offer of coverage through their employer.

Learn more about health care for young adults at: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/young-adults.html

Yes.

Depending on your state, your plan may not cover any stepchildren at all. But if your plan does cover stepchildren of any age, you are able to keep your stepson on your plan until he turns 26.  (Under some circumstances, a plan may place additional restrictions on eligibility for other types of adult children, like grandchildren or a niece or nephew. But it may not put in place additional requirements for sons, daughters, stepchildren, adopted children, and foster children.)

You should call your plan to learn more, and you may also want to reach out to your state insurance commissioner or contact the Consumer Assistance Program in your state.

The provision of the Affordable Care Act that allows children under 26 to be insured under a parent’s plan does not apply when the parent is covered only by Medicare. 

You can use our insurance and coverage finder to determine what public and private insurance options might be available to your family.

Yes. Your daughter is eligible for coverage regardless of where she lives, if she’s married, and whether or not she is financially dependent on you. To learn more, read this list of questions and answers about the young adult feature of the Affordable Care Act. You can also read additional FAQs below.