How Long Can Children Stay On Your Health Insurance in NJ?

Posted on by AgentInsure

As a parent, you know that your love for your children doesn’t cease as they age. Whether your child is still young, a teenager approaching adulthood, or they are already an adult with their own life, you care about their health and wellbeing. At The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ, we help parents across North Jersey find the health insurance solutions that work best for their family. Here’s what every parent should know when it comes to keeping their adult children on their health policy ("child" is used here to refer to the parent’s offspring regardless of age). 

Age 26 is the Cutoff

Thanks to Federal law changes enacted in 2010, parents can keep children on their health plans until the children turn 26 years old. This is the rule regardless of whether the child is married, attending school, no longer living at the same residence as their parents or no longer a dependent. Children under age 26 are also eligible even if they are also eligible for health coverage via their employer.

Now, your child’s coverage under your insurance will not immediately drop the second they turn 26. Instead, they are automatically granted a special enrollment period during which they will have time to enroll in a new health plan. The exact timeframe given for this actually depends on the plan itself and generally ranges between 30 and 120 days.

Coverage Can Be Continued (in Some Cases)

COBRA plans allow for children to extend coverage on their parent’s plan for an additional 36 months, although the terms and costs will change. New Jersey also has DU31, a law that allows eligible children to elect to remain covered on their parent’s health policy until age 31 in some cases. However, this coverage automatically ends if the child marries, becomes a parent, or moves outside of New Jersey (while not a full-time student). 

We Can Help Get Your Adult Child Covered!

Don’t wait if your child needs insurance coverage. No matter how old they are, our experienced professionals at The Insurance Outfit can provide options. Contact our Chester, NJ office today!