Fact Sheet: What the Health Care Law Means for Young Adults

by: Education & Outreach, from: AARP, Updated July 2012

Young adults can now stay on a parents' health insurance plan until age 26. — Photo by Bohemian Nomad Picturemakers/Corbis

The health care law enables young adults to stay insured by remaining on a parent's health insurance policy until age 26.

In the past, young people were typically forced off their family's health insurance plan upon turning 18 or 21, or graduating from college. A young adult can now stay on — or be added to — a parent's policy even if he or she has left home or is no longer a student.

• If you currently include your children on your health insurance, you can keep them on your family policy until they reach age 26. Your adult children can remain on your health insurance policy even if they don't live with you, are married or are no longer in school, and you do not have to claim the child as a dependent on your tax return. You cannot, however, include your child's spouse or children on your policy.

The Health Law and You

— Dana Neely/Getty Images

Through educational fact sheets, live webinars, and the question-and-answer series "Health Care Reform Explained," AARP has the information you need.

• Your insurance company cannot charge more to insure your young adult child than it charges for your younger children, nor can it provide adult children with fewer benefits.

• Insurance companies and employer-based plans are not required to offer dependent coverage, so if you're in a plan that doesn't provide family coverage, you will not be able to extend insurance to your young adult child.

• If your adult son or daughter has access to employer-based health insurance on his or her own, he or she cannot be added to your plan.