Health Plans for Young Adults

Medically Reviewed by Sarah Goodell on June 08, 2024

• What's Covered
• How to Choose a Plan
• Other Insurance Options

You know your kids have a lot on their minds. They may need to finish school and look for their first real job.

One thing that might not be on their radar yet is getting health insurance. But it's a big deal. Especially when you consider that the average emergency room visit can cost more than $1,200.

The Affordable Care Act, also called ObamaCare, makes it easier for people ages 19 to 26 to get insurance -- whether they have a job or you're still supporting them.

What's Covered

In the past, your child was kicked off your health plan at age 19 or once they graduated from college. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover children up to age 26.

If your health plan offers coverage for dependents, your child can stay on your plan even if they move out of the house or get married.

Under the law, if your child gets a job with health benefits, they will have a choice to make. Your child will be able to either sign up for the plan that's offered through the job or stay on your plan.

Certain plans, called "grandfathered" plans, do not have to extend enrollment to adult children. Grandfathered plans are those that existed before March 23, 2010 -- the day the health reform bill became law and have not substantially changed since then.

Under the law, your child (between ages 19 and 26) will also have access to free preventive services, such as:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol checks
• Well-child visits (up to age 21)
• Vaccinations
• Cancer screenings
• Pregnancy care
• Smoking cessation
• Diet or weight loss help

Dental and vision plans work differently than your other health insurance. Ask these plans if your adult child is covered.

How to Choose a Plan

If your 19- to 26-year-old is trying to decide which insurance plan to go with -- yours or one offered by your child's job -- take a close look at the type of plan being offered. If your child chooses to stay on your employer plan, they will be enrolled in the same plan you have.

Here are some options you might have to think about if your child chooses not to stay on your plan and buy their own plan:

• HMO. These letters stand for Health Maintenance Organization. If your child picks an HMO, they will need to see a doctor in the HMO's network. If your child needs to see a specialist, your child will need a referral from a primary care doctor. On the other hand, medical bills with an HMO are usually lower than with other types of plans. HMO premiums are also often lower than those of other types of plans.
• PPO. These letters stand for Preferred Provider Organization. In this type of plan, your child can see a doctor who's in or out of the plan's network and usually will not need a referral to see a specialist. But your child will pay more -- often substantially more -- if the doctor is out-of-network.
• POS. This stands for Point of Service. These plans will usually require that your child choose a doctor who is in network. But the plans may also offer the option of seeing specialists who are out of network for a higher cost.

You and your child should also think about some of these issues:

• What types of services the plans cover and your need for these services (prescriptions, dental, and vision care, for example)
• How much each plan will cost, including deductibles
• Whether your child's doctors are in the plan's network
• Whether your child is pregnant or planning a pregnancy

If your child is pregnant and remains on your plan, the plan must cover prenatal and pregnancy-related care but does not have to provide coverage for your grandchildren.

Other Insurance Options

If your child works but their employer doesn't offer health benefits, your child can buy a health plan on the insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace is a website set up in each state or by the federal government. Depending on your child's income, they may be able to get financial help to pay the insurance premium through the Marketplace.