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Let's get you covered

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  1. 1. Are you under 26?

  2. 2. Do your parents have family coverage?

  3. 3. Does your job offer health insurance?

    2. Does your job offer health insurance?

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Dependent Coverage:
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Why Get Covered?

We get it. You're young and have a lot on your plate. Work, friends, school, family, etc. Getting health insurance may not always be at the top of your list, but it is essential. Things happen. And no one is invincible without health insurance.

5 Reasons to get covered

  1. 1. For Your Health
  2. 2. In Case You Get Hit By A Bus
  3. 3. Because Now It's Affordable
  4. 4. For Your Family
  5. 5. It's The Right Thing To Do

Reason #1 For your health

You're young, but you're not invincible. If you are injured or get sick, quality medical care can save and drastically improve your life. Medical care makes a huge difference in how you feel, and in how quickly you get back to the things that matter to you after an accident or illness. Health insurance can also help you avoid health concerns before they become major problems, by providing low-cost preventive care and check-ups with your doctor.

Reason #2 In case you get hit by a bus

Sure you’re healthy and active right now. But nobody expects a freak accident that sends you to the hospital. You don’t want to be bankrupted by bills from an accident or an unexpected medical problem. If you need a prescription drug, regular check ups, or ongoing care, those costs can also add up. Take a look at how much a few common health issues would cost without insurance:

Hospitalization for Asthma$12,496
Torn ACL$9,220
Fractured Rib$12,000
Hospitalization for Diabetes$24,843

Reason #3 Because now it's affordable

Joining your parent’s plan is among the least expensive of all insurance options for families. Extending coverage until age 26 will make insurance affordable for millions of young Americans. Buying a plan in the individual market can also make financial sense. Up to a hundred bucks a month for coverage is a lot less expensive than an unexpected bill for $10,000 right?

Reason #4 For your family

Starting a family? Staying healthy matters more than ever. The typical prenatal care and a hospital birth together cost $9,562 without insurance. Of course, having health insurance will also let your parents breathe a sigh of relief to know that you’re taken care of.

Reason #5 Cause it's the right thing to do

Getting covered is about taking personal responsibility for your health and financial well-being. It’s about being an independent adult and protecting yourself. We all must do our part so society can devote its resources to those truly in need. If you have the option, you should take advantage of it.

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F.A.Q.

  1. Does it matter what state I live in?
  2. I can get insurance through my employer, but it is too expensive. Can I switch to my parent’s plan?
  3. Who will pay for my dependent coverage through my parent’s plan?
  4. Does this new law apply to my parent’s Tri-Care plan (the insurance for members of the armed forces)?
  5. Will I have different benefits when I rejoin my parents' plan as a young adult?

Answer

Yes. You should look to see what the rules are in your state. The new federal law sets a minimum level of dependent coverage up to your 26th birthday. However, some states mandate more coverage than required by the federal law. Some states, like New York and New Jersey, allow children to remain on their parent’s plan until age 30. Make sure that you are not missing out!

Answer

Probably not. Until 2014, most parent’s health plans will not have to provide insurance to dependents who have access to their own employer-sponsored plans. However, some parent insurance plans may allow you to join your parent’s plan anyway. Also, individual market insurance plans (not through an employer) must provide access to adult dependents regardless of their own employer offerings. Contact your parent’s insurance provider to see if they will cover young adults like you.

Answer

The bill for the premium will probably still go to your parents and it is up to you and your parents how you will divide the cost. Also, for employer plans, the employer typically covers a portion of the premium. Experts estimate that parents with employer-sponsored insurance will see their premiums go up slightly to pay for your new coverage, but costs will still likely be cheaper than buying an individual insurance plan.

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Answer

If your parent has insurance from the individual market (not from an employer), the premium for adding a young adult to family coverage will probably increase by a larger amount. However, it will still be less expensive than purchasing another individual plan. For example, it was recently reported that a New Jersey premium for a dependent on a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan was less than two-thirds of the premium for an individual without family coverage.

Previous

Answer

Unfortunately, no. The health care reform bill intentionally avoided any changes to Tri-Care - the health insurance system for military service members, retirees, and the families of both. As a result, the dependent coverage cut-off remains the same - up to age 21, or 23 if the dependent is a full-time student. 

However, Congressman Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced legislation in late March to amend Tri-Care to include the same dependent coverage extension to 26 that was in the health care reform bill. Stay tuned. This could change in the months ahead.

Answer

No. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), all qualified young adults must be offered the same benefit packages available to younger dependents. The family will also not be required to pay more for coverage than the family would pay for a younger dependent. However, the new policy applies only to insurance plans that offer dependent coverage (i.e., a family plan option) in the first place: while most insurers and employer-sponsored plans offer such a plan, it is not required. Some employers may just offer a single plan.

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Know Your Rights for Young Adults

The new health care law expands coverage by stating that adult children under age 26 are eligible to be on their parent’s health insurance plan. In the past, that coverage often stopped at age 19 or upon graduation from college. Most employers and insurance companies are working hard to comply with the new law. However, some common myths may be discouraging families from taking full advantage of the benefit.

Let’s make sure you know your rights and the rights of your family.

If you are under 26 years old, you should be able to join or stay on your parents’ health insurance plan with only a few exceptions.

Here are 6 wrong reasons for denying coverage that we have been hearing about from around the country.

Reason #1.

You cannot get on your parent’s insurance because you no longer live at home.

Wrong. You do not need to live at home to be on your parent’s plan.

Reason #2.

You cannot get covered because you do not live in the same state as your parents.

Wrong. You can live in another state and still be on your parent’s plan.

Reason #3.

You cannot join your parent’s plan because they do not claim you as a dependent on their tax return.

Wrong. You can file taxes independently and still be on your parent’s plan.

Next 3 reasons
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What Comes Next

With the new health care law, more changes are going to roll out in the months and years ahead that will make it easier and less expensive for you and your family to get quality, affordable health care.

We’ve broken it down for you, so you know what’s coming.

  1. • RIGHT NOW
  2. • SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
  3. • JANUARY 1, 2011
  4. • JANUARY 1, 2014

Right Now

A temporary “high-risk pool” provides insurance for those who were denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition and have been uninsured for more than 6 months. This especially benefits the 15 percent of young Americans who suffer from chronic conditions.

September 23, 2010

Adult children will be able to remain on their parent’s health insurance until their 26th birthday.

Over 2 million previously uninsured young adults will benefit from this provision.

Are you a parent? If your adult child is under 26 and uninsured, talk to your employer now about how they can join your plan!

Health plans no longer able to drop coverage (no “rescission”) when you get sick Lifetime limits on benefits banned.

Restrictive annual limits on benefits banned (all annual limits banned by 2014).

JANUARY 1, 2011

All plans will have to spend at least 80 percent (for small/individual plans) or 85 percent (for large group plans) of premiums on medical services. Those who fail to do so will have to submit rebates to consumers. That means more of your money will be required by law to go to the care you need.

JANUARY 1, 2014

Medicaid will cover every American earning less than 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), about $14,400 per year for an individual. This change alone will provide coverage for over 7 million currently uninsured young adults.

Tax credits will be given for purchasing health insurance to those who earn less than 400 percent FPL (about $43,000 per year for an individual) and lack employer-sponsored insurance.

Health plans will no longer be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Next 2 changes

JANUARY 1, 2014

All Americans must have health insurance, however the requirement will be waived due to hardship or lack of affordable health insurance.

States will create insurance exchanges to increase market competition and enforce minimum benefit standards. Consumers will be able to compare prices and plans online and choose the best health insurance package for themselves.

Previous 3 changes