Jeffrey Wade
In the United States, a 17-year-old can be covered by their parent's health insurance plan. This applies to plans bought through the Health Insurance Marketplace, as well as job-based plans. Under the Affordable Care Act, a child can be added to their parent's insurance during the yearly Open Enrollment Period (November 1 – January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period after experiencing certain life events such as losing health coverage or moving. This coverage usually extends until the child turns 26 years old. Additionally, if a parent's insurance is sponsored by their employer, the child may be eligible for temporary extended coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for up to 36 months after turning 26.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a 17-year-old get medical insurance? | Yes, a 17-year-old can be added to their parent's health insurance plan. |
| Parent's plan requirements | The parent's insurance plan must cover dependents. |
| Age limit | The person can be added to their parent's plan until they turn 26 years old. |
| Special Enrollment Period | When the person loses coverage on their 26th birthday, they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing them to enroll in a health plan outside of Open Enrollment. |
| Parent's employer-sponsored plan | If the parent's plan is sponsored by an employer with 20 or more employees, the person may be eligible to purchase temporary extended health coverage for up to 36 months under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). |
| Low-income options | If the person's income is low, they could qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid. |
| Student options | If the person is in school, they may be able to enroll in a student health plan. |
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What You'll Learn
Parental insurance coverage
A 17-year-old can be covered by their parent's health insurance. In fact, in most cases, young adults can be covered by their parent's insurance until the age of 26. This is thanks to the Affordable Care Act, which requires plans and issuers that offer dependent child coverage to make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26. This applies to all plans in the individual market and to all employer plans.
Before the Affordable Care Act, many health plans and issuers could remove adult children from their parents' coverage because of their age, whether or not they were a student or where they lived. Now, young adults can benefit from their parents' insurance, which provides an extra coverage option for people at the start of their careers. This is especially beneficial given that most entry-level jobs lack employer-based health insurance.
If a parent's health insurance plan covers dependents, you can usually be added to their plan and stay on it until you turn 26. This applies even if you are married or unmarried or have a child of your own. However, it is worth noting that coverage does not have to extend to the dependent's spouse or children. If a young adult has a child while still covered by their parents' insurance, they will likely need to secure separate coverage for the baby.
If you are covered by your parent's insurance and are approaching your 26th birthday, you should look into getting your own health coverage. When you lose coverage on your 26th birthday, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, which lets you enroll in a health plan outside of Open Enrollment. There are multiple ways to get health insurance, such as through an employer, an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plan, a catastrophic health insurance plan, or Medicaid, if you qualify.
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Student health plans
If you are 17 years old, you can be added to or remain on a parent's health insurance plan. This is usually possible until you turn 26 years old. You can be added to your parent's plan during the yearly Open Enrollment Period, which runs from November 1 to January 15. Outside of this period, you can be added during a Special Enrollment Period if you have experienced certain life events, such as losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. Additionally, if your household income is below a certain amount, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
If you are a student, you can enrol in a student health plan offered by your college or university. Even if you have access to a student health plan, you can still apply for coverage through the Marketplace, where you may qualify for lower costs based on your income, family size, and location. You can apply for Marketplace coverage on your own or with your parent. If you apply with your parent, you may need to choose a separate plan if you are 26 or older. If no one claims you as a dependent on their taxes, you can apply for Marketplace coverage regardless of your age.
When choosing a health insurance plan, it is important to consider the total costs, including premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Look for plans that offer access to personalized treatment from doctors and hospitals, discounted rates from in-network providers, and annual check-ups or preventive care at no additional cost. Online tools can help you compare plans, predict costs, and find doctors within your network.
Several organizations, such as Cigna Healthcare, offer cost-effective health insurance plans for young adults. These plans may vary by state and can include eligible in-network preventive care services. However, some preventive care services, such as most immunizations for travel, may not be covered. It is important to review the plan documents to understand the specific covered and non-covered services.
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Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
In the United States, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP is managed by states according to federal requirements and is funded by states and the federal government.
Each state offers CHIP coverage, and it works closely with its state Medicaid program. Each state program has its own rules about who qualifies for CHIP. The costs are different in each state, but families won't have to pay more than 5% of their annual income. All states provide comprehensive coverage, including routine "well child" doctor and dental visits for free. Some states may also provide additional benefits such as coverage for pregnant women.
To be eligible for CHIP, children must be in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. If you have a Marketplace health plan, you may be able to lower your costs with a premium tax credit. If your children are eligible for CHIP, they won't be eligible for any savings on Marketplace insurance.
You can apply for CHIP coverage at any time of the year, and if you qualify, your coverage can start immediately. To find out if you qualify, you can fill out a Marketplace application or apply for Medicaid coverage through your state agency. If you apply for Medicaid and do not qualify, you will also find out if your children qualify for CHIP.
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Medicaid
A 17-year-old may be able to get medical insurance through their parents' health insurance plan. Usually, a parent's plan covers dependents until the age of 26. However, this does depend on the insurance provider and the specific plan.
In terms of Medicaid, a 17-year-old may be eligible for coverage under their parents' plan. Medicaid is a federal-state program that provides health coverage to individuals and families with low incomes, including children, parents, pregnant women, elderly people with certain incomes, and people with disabilities. Each state has its own eligibility rules and services covered, so it is important to check with your state's program.
There are several ways a 17-year-old may qualify for Medicaid coverage:
- If they are claimed as a dependent on their parent's tax return and their family income is limited.
- If they are living on their own, they may be able to apply for Medicaid independently, depending on the state's guidelines.
- If they have a disability, they may qualify for Medicaid through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides coverage to young adults with significant disabilities and low incomes.
- If they are pregnant, they may be eligible for Medicaid coverage.
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Open Enrollment
A 17-year-old can be added to their parent's health insurance plan. Typically, a parent's insurance plan covers their dependents until they turn 26. During the plan's yearly Open Enrollment Period, a parent can add their child to their insurance plan.
For ACA plans, some state-based markets may have open enrollment periods that differ from federal-based marketplaces. Individual marketplace/exchange plans' exact dates change every year and vary by state, typically between November and December. Employer-sponsored plans' dates vary by employer but often take place once a year. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is October 15 to December 7.
If you need coverage outside of the annual open enrollment period, you can buy short-term health insurance. Certain qualifying life events, like divorce or adoption, permit individuals to enroll or modify their insurance outside of the regular open enrollment period.
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Frequently asked questions
A 17-year-old can be covered under their parent's health insurance plan.
The child may qualify for coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid, depending on the household income.
A child can be covered under their parent's insurance plan until they turn 26 years old.
A 17-year-old may be able to purchase their own insurance plan, but it is likely to be expensive.
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