How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents’ Health Insurance? What to Know in 2025

Key takeaways

• You can remain on your parents' health insurance until you turn 26, no matter what
• Your job status, where you live, or whether you're in school doesn't matter
• Once you hit 26, you'll need your own insurance, but you get 60 days to sign up

Health insurance might not be the most exciting topic when you're juggling classes, part-time jobs, and figuring out your future. But understanding your coverage options now can save you from major headaches (and medical bills) later.

If you're under 26, you've got access to one of the best financial breaks available to young adults: staying on your parents' health insurance plan.

How long can you stay covered under your parents' plan?

The Affordable Care Act changed the game back in 2010. Before that, most people got kicked off their parents' insurance at 19, or maybe 23 if they stayed in school. Now you've got until your 26th birthday.

This rule is simple. If your parent has health insurance that covers dependents, you can stay on it until the day you turn 26. Living at home? Doesn't matter. Filing your own taxes? Doesn't matter. Married? Still doesn't matter.

Your coverage usually ends on your 26th birthday, though some plans let you finish out that month. Check with your parents' insurance company for the exact date.

Does it matter if you're in college or working?

Nope. Your student status means nothing here.

You could be in college full-time, taking a gap year, working full-time with your own benefits, or doing freelance work. You can still use your parents' coverage for all of it. Even if your job offers insurance, you're allowed to say no thanks and stick with your parents' plan.

Having two insurance options means you should compare them though. Your parents' plan might cover more or cost less out of pocket. Or maybe your job's plan has better perks. Do the math before deciding.

What about if you get married?

Getting married doesn't change anything. You can stay covered until 26 even with a spouse.

Your spouse can't join your parents' plan though. They'll need their own coverage through their job, the insurance marketplace, or maybe through their own parents if they're also under 26.

Marriage does let you sign up for insurance outside the normal signup times. But if your parents' plan works for you, you don't have to switch.

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Are there exceptions or state-specific rules?

Most states follow the federal rule, but some offer additional options beyond age 26. These state extensions work differently from the standard dependent coverage and usually come with extra requirements and costs.

New York offers a "Young Adult Option" that lets you purchase coverage through your parent's plan until age 30. You or your parent must pay the full cost of individual coverage (not just the dependent rate). You need to be unmarried, not eligible for your own employer's insurance, and live, work, or reside in New aYork State or the plan's service area.

Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania also have provisions that may extend coverage past 26, each with their own specific requirements. These typically involve being unmarried, not having other available coverage, and meeting residency or student status requirements.

Important note: these extended coverage options usually only apply to fully-insured plans, not self-funded employer plans. Call your parents' insurance company to find out if you qualify.

What happens when you turn 26?

Your coverage doesn't disappear overnight, but you need to move quickly. Turning 26 counts as a "qualifying life event," which gives you a special window to get your own insurance.

Here's your timeline:

1. 60 days before your birthday: Start researching insurance options
2. Your 26th birthday: Your parent's coverage ends (or end of that month)
3. 60 days after losing coverage: Deadline to enroll in a new plan
4. Miss the deadline? You're stuck waiting until next year's open enrollment

Compare marketplace plans, check what your employer offers, or look into other options. Don't put this off until the last minute.

How do you coordinate benefits if you have multiple plans?

Sometimes you might have access to more than one insurance plan. Maybe you're on your parents' plan but also signed up through your job. Or you're covered under both parents if they're divorced.

Insurance companies use "coordination of benefits" to figure out which plan pays first. Usually, the "birthday rule" applies: whichever parent's birthday comes first in the calendar year, their plan is primary.

If you have your parents' plan and your own job coverage, your job's plan usually pays first. The second plan might cover some leftover costs, but you'll still need to meet both deductibles and follow both sets of rules.

Call both insurance companies to understand how this works before assuming you're getting double coverage.

Should you stay on your parents' plan or get your own?

There's no right answer for everyone. It depends on your situation.

Staying on your parents' plan makes sense if:

• You're generally healthy
• Your parents don't pay extra to keep you on their plan
• You're between jobs or working part-time
• Insurance through the marketplace is expensive where you live

Getting your own coverage might be better if:

• Your job pays for most of your insurance premium
• You need specific doctors or medications not covered by your parents' plan
• You want to handle your own healthcare decisions
• Your parents' plan has high costs when you actually use it

Cost matters, but so does quality. A cheap plan that doesn't cover your regular doctor isn't helping you.

What if your parent loses their job or changes insurance?

Job loss or a change in your parents' work can affect your coverage, too. If your parent loses their job and health insurance, you lose yours too. But this gives you a special signup period.

You'll have 60 days to enroll in your own plan through the marketplace, COBRA (usually expensive), or another source. If your parent gets a new job with insurance pretty quickly, you might be able to join that new plan.

COBRA lets you keep the same coverage temporarily, but you pay the full cost plus extra fees. It's pricey but might be worth it if you're getting ongoing medical treatment.

Tips for maximizing your coverage while you have it

You've got coverage until 26, so use it smart:

• Get preventive care. Annual checkups, dental cleanings, and eye exams are usually free. Take advantage now.
• Build a medical history. Finding doctors and specialists now makes life easier when you switch to your own insurance.
• Understand your plan. Know your deductible, copays, and what needs approval first. Your parents might not know every detail, so read the benefits booklet yourself.
• Keep your own records. Save paperwork from doctor visits, track prescriptions, and write down your medications. You'll need this when you get your own coverage.
• Use health accounts wisely. If your parents have a flexible spending account or health savings account, learn how it works and whether you can use it for your medical costs.

When should you start planning your transition?

The financial breathing room from staying on your parents' insurance makes a real difference in your early twenties. Whether you're paying off student loans, saving money, or just trying to figure out your career, not paying for insurance helps.

If you're looking for more ways to handle your finances during and after college, resources like TuitionHero can help you compare student loan options, understand financial aid, and make smarter money decisions as you become more independent.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I get kicked off my parents' insurance for any reason before I turn 26?

No, not under federal law. Your parents' insurance can't remove you based on whether you're in school, have a job, make money, get married, or where you live. The only way you'd lose coverage is if your parents' entire plan gets canceled or they stop paying for it.

Do I need to live with my parents to stay on their insurance?

Not at all. You can live in a different state or across the country and still have coverage. Just know that if your parents' plan only works with certain doctors and hospitals, you might pay more if you need care far from home.

What if I have a baby? Can my child be on my parents' plan?

No. Your child is your dependent, not your parents' dependent. Once you have a baby, you need to get coverage for them separately through your own job's insurance, the marketplace, or Medicaid if you qualify. Having a baby counts as a qualifying life event, so you get a special signup period.

Can I choose to leave my parents' plan early?

Yes, you can drop off your parents' insurance anytime. You might do this if you get a job with great benefits or qualify for Medicaid. Just make sure you have other coverage lined up first. Going without insurance leaves you vulnerable to huge medical bills.

What happens if my parents get divorced?

You can usually stay covered under either parent's insurance plan. If both parents have coverage, the birthday rule typically decides which plan is primary. If the parent who covered you loses their insurance because of the divorce, you can join the other parent's plan or find your own coverage during a special signup period.

Final thoughts

Staying on your parents' health insurance until 26 is one of those rare wins in the confusing world of healthcare. It gives you time to finish school, start your career, and get your finances together without stressing about finding and paying for insurance.

But don't just cruise along without paying attention. Understand your coverage, use it well, and plan ahead for your 26th birthday. That transition sneaks up faster than you think, and being ready makes everything easier.

Whether you're still in school, starting a career, or somewhere in between, knowing your insurance options gives you one less thing to worry about.

Source

• Dependent Coverage for Young Adults in Employer-Sponsored Health Plans | KFF
• Young Adults and the Affordable Care Act: Protecting Young Adults and Eliminating Burdens on Families and Businesses | CMS
• ObamaCare Under 26: Rules for Children and Young Adults
• Young Adults and the Affordable Care Act:
• Can young adults still remain on a parent's health plans until age 26?
• Young Adult Coverage | HHS.gov