Updated for 2027
I’m turning 26. What happens to my health insurance?
When you turn 26, coverage through a parent’s plan usually ends, and losing it lets you choose a plan of your own outside Open Enrollment. The exact end date depends on the parent’s plan, since some end on your birthday and others at the end of that month or later, and your options depend on whether you have a job that offers coverage and on your expected income. You can apply for a Marketplace plan up to 60 days before that coverage ends and up to 60 days after, and applying before it ends helps you avoid a gap.
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Common questions
When exactly does coverage on a parent’s plan end?
It depends on the plan. Some end on your 26th birthday and many run to the end of that month or later. Some states let certain plans keep young adults longer. The plan’s documents or member services can tell you the exact date.
Can I keep my parent’s plan through COBRA?
Often, yes. If the parent’s plan is a job plan covered by COBRA, aging off it lets you keep it for up to 36 months, but you pay the full premium. The plan must be told about the change, usually within 60 days.
Can I get help paying for a Marketplace plan?
It depends on your expected income and your household. If a parent still claims you as a tax dependent, your savings are figured with their household, not on your own.
What if my job offers health insurance?
You can take your job’s plan. If that offer counts as affordable under the rules, you generally cannot get Marketplace savings instead, though you can still buy a Marketplace plan at full price.
General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules, savings and plan choices vary by state and household.