Health Insurance for Young Adults
At this point in your life, you may still receive health
insurance coverage through your parents’ plan. The Affordable Care Act allows
you to stay on this plan as a dependent until you are 26, and if your parent
receives coverage through an employer in Pennsylvania, you may be able to stay
on until you’re 29.
It is important that you understand your health insurance
options early so that you’re ready to make a decision when the time comes. Even
though you may be able to stay on your parents’ plan, it might not be the best
choice for your health and your needs. If you move to a new city or state, you
might find yourself beyond your plan’s provider network, which can lead to
additional costs if you seek care.
Make sure you fully research care options in your area when
deciding to maintain or change your health insurance coverage. If you decide to
stay on a parent’s plan, you may find that it is more expensive for them to
keep you covered as a dependent than it would be for you to obtain your own
plan, or if you move out, their provider network does not extend to the area in
which you reside. In cases such as those, obtaining coverage through an
employer or purchasing your own plan might be your best option.
Commissioner Miller recently issued
a letter to college students that explains an important out-of-classroom
lesson: How to make smart decisions on your health insurance. For more
information on how to shop for health insurance, check out our video or printable
shopper’s guide. The video is also available en Español.
For more information on health insurance,
click here. If you want to read more insurance tips for young adults,
head back to where you started.