Health Coverage Options for Those Under 30

If you’re under 30, you have several options for obtaining health coverage:

1. Stay on a Parent’s Plan

If you’re under 26, you may be eligible to join or remain on your parent’s health insurance plan. Learn how to get or stay on a parent’s plan.

2. Buy Your Own Insurance Plan

You can purchase your own health insurance plan through the Marketplace. You may qualify for savings based on your income, and you have the option to choose a "Catastrophic" plan, which is designed to protect you from major health issues.

• Note: If someone claims you as a tax dependent, you can still buy a plan through the Marketplace but won’t be eligible for income-based savings.

You can preview plans and prices based on your estimated income without needing to log in or provide personal details.

3. Student Health Plans

If you’re a student, you may be able to enroll in a student health plan that meets the health care law’s coverage requirements.

4. Medicaid & CHIP

Depending on your income or specific circumstances, you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

• Medicaid: Eligibility is based on factors such as income, pregnancy, having young children, or disability. In states that have expanded Medicaid, eligibility is determined solely by income.

• CHIP: If you have children, they may qualify for CHIP coverage, even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid.

You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP at any time of the year. Get started now to see if you qualify.

For more details, visit the Marketplace website to explore your options and find the coverage that best suits your needs.

Why Health Insurance Matters

Even if you’re young and healthy, health insurance is important for several reasons:

Affordable and Accessible Options

• Potential Savings: When you apply for insurance through the Marketplace, you may qualify for savings that can make coverage more affordable. This includes lower out-of-pocket costs, reduced deductibles, and lower payments for medical care.
• Catastrophic Plans: These plans are designed to protect you from major medical expenses while keeping premiums low. They provide coverage for worst-case scenarios.

Protection Against Unexpected Costs

• High Medical Expenses: Accidents and illnesses can be costly. For example, treating a broken leg can cost around $7,500, and a three-day hospital stay may run up to $30,000. Without insurance, these costs can lead to significant debt and limit your financial options.
• Avoid Financial Strain: With insurance, you’re less likely to make health care decisions based on cost rather than what’s best for your health.

Comprehensive Coverage

• Essential Benefits: All Marketplace plans cover emergency services, doctor visits, hospital care, pregnancy, treatment for pre-existing conditions, mental health services, lab work, and other essential health benefits. Some plans also include dental coverage.
• Preventive Services: Coverage includes preventive services such as breast cancer screenings and other important health checks.

Easy and Quick Application

• Savings Check: Use a quick tool to see if you qualify for savings based on your income or for Medicaid in your state. This process takes about a minute.
• Plan Comparison: Preview plans and estimate costs based on your income without needing to create an account or provide personal details.

Streamlined Application Process

• One Application: Complete a single Marketplace application to determine if you qualify for:
  • Discounted Insurance Plans: See potential savings immediately and compare plans side-by-side.
  • Medicaid or CHIP: Check if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage, including for your children.

Note: If someone claims you as a tax dependent, you can buy a Marketplace plan but won’t qualify for income-based savings.

How to Get or Stay on a Parent’s Health Plan

If you're under 26, you can often be added to a parent's health insurance plan and stay on it until you turn 26. Here’s how it works:

Getting Added to a Parent’s Plan

• Job-Based Plans: Your parent can add you to their job-based health insurance plan during the plan’s Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period. They should contact their employer's benefits department or the plan administrator for specific details.

• Marketplace Plans: If your parent has a health insurance plan through the Marketplace, they can include you on their application when they apply for a new plan. If they want to add you to an existing plan, this can only be done during the annual Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.

Staying on a Parent’s Plan

• Eligibility Until Age 26: As long as you’re covered by your parent’s job-based plan, you can stay on the plan until you turn 26. This remains true regardless of:

  • Marriage: Getting married
  • Children: Having or adopting a child
  • Education: Starting or leaving school
  • Residency: Moving in or out of your parent’s home
  • Tax Status: Not being claimed as a tax dependent
  • Job Coverage: Turning down an offer of job-based coverage

• Coverage End Dates:

  • Job-Based Plans: Typically, your coverage ends when you turn 26, but rules may vary by state or plan. Check with your parent’s employer or the plan for specific details.
  • Marketplace Plans: If you’re on a parent’s Marketplace plan, you can remain covered until December 31 of the year you turn 26 or according to your state’s regulations.

If you’re approaching age 26 or need to explore other coverage options, you may want to look into getting your own health insurance plan.

Health Insurance Options for the Self-Employed and Part-Time Workers

If you're self-employed, a freelancer, an entrepreneur, or work part-time, you have several health insurance options that suit your independent career and lifestyle. Here’s what you need to know:

Lost Job-Based Insurance

If you leave a job and lose job-based insurance, you can purchase a plan through the Marketplace at any time, even outside Open Enrollment. This can be more affordable than COBRA coverage. You have 60 days from the end of your job-based coverage to enroll. Learn more about options after losing job-based insurance.

Income Variability

If your income is unpredictable, you can apply for coverage using your best estimate of annual earnings. Your savings will be based on this estimate. As your income changes, you can update your application to adjust your coverage and savings. Find out how to apply with variable income.

Low Income and Self-Employment

If you’re self-employed or starting a business with minimal income, you might qualify for low-cost or free coverage through Medicaid. As your income increases, you can adjust your coverage to ensure you receive the appropriate level of savings. Explore coverage options for low-income earners.

Preview Plans

You can preview insurance plans and their costs based on your estimated income without needing to log in or provide personal details. Check out plans and prices now.

One Application, Multiple Options

By filling out a single Marketplace application, you can discover:

• Insurance Plans with Income-Based Savings: You’ll see how much you could save immediately, including potential savings on out-of-pocket costs and lower deductibles. You can also select a “Catastrophic” plan to protect against major health issues.
• Free or Low-Cost Coverage: You may qualify for Medicaid or, if you have children, coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Note: If you’re claimed as a tax dependent, you can still purchase a plan through the Marketplace, but you won’t qualify for income-based savings.

Health Insurance Options for Students

If you’re a student, you have several options for health coverage, including student health plans and Marketplace insurance. Here’s a guide to help you navigate these choices:

Student Health Plans

Many schools offer student health plans, which provide an easy and affordable way to obtain basic insurance coverage. Typically, if you're enrolled in a student health plan, it qualifies as acceptable health coverage under the health care law, meaning you won't face a penalty for not having insurance. Be sure to confirm this with your plan.

Exploring Marketplace Plans

Even if you have access to a student health plan, you can choose to apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace® if it better suits your needs.

If You’re a Dependent Under 26:

• Living in the Same State as Your Parents:

  • Add to Parent’s Plan: Your parent can add you to their plan during the Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period if they qualify. Losing a student health plan might qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to be added outside the Open Enrollment Period. Note that voluntarily dropping a student plan does not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.

• Living in a Different State from Your Parents:

  • Apply with Your Parent: You can be included on your parent's application, but make sure to review the plan’s coverage details and provider network to ensure it meets your needs in your school state.
  • Apply Separately: You can apply for a plan in the state where you attend school. Even though you’re applying separately, you will still be included in your parent’s tax household. Your application will include your parent’s income, and their plan may offer reduced costs due to household income-based savings.

If You’re a Dependent Aged 26 or Over:

• Same Options as Above: You can apply with your parents, but you might need to select a separate plan due to your age.

If No One Claims You as a Dependent:

• Living Separately from Your Parents: Submit a separate application based solely on your own income. Your savings will be determined by your income alone.
• Living with Your Parents: Submit your own application, but if you’re under 21, you might need to provide information about your parents and their income to complete the application.

Important Note:

When applying for a Marketplace plan, if asked about existing coverage, select "No" if you plan to drop your student health coverage in favor of a Marketplace plan.

Action Steps: