A Guide to Health Insurance

A dependent child needs to purchase their own health insurance at age 26 Before 26, a dependent can stay on his or her parent’s health insurance plan. This extension of coverage ends when the dependent turns 26. Beginning on the dependent's 26th birthday, they qualify for a 60-day special enrollment period and can sign up for their own insurance. After this 60-day period, a dependent may not be able to get coverage until the next open enrollment period. Depending on income, a dependent may be…

Major life changes, known as qualifying life events, can allow you a special enrollment period to change your health plan outside of the standard open enrollment period or policy renewal date. If you have a qualifying life event, review your health insurance coverage to see if you, your spouse, or your dependent children need to make any changes. The following are examples of qualifying life events: Getting married or divorced Having a baby Adopting a child or placing a child for adoption…