Medical coverage for kids
Most health insurance policies allow parents to add their dependent children to the policy but only up to a certain age. The age limit is generally age 19 or graduation from college. After that age, dependent children must find their own health insurance.
Statistics
Statistics show that 30% of Americans between the ages of 19 and 29 do not have health insurance. Most often, this group becomes uninsured after losing coverage under a parent's health insurance plan.
Exception
Some states allow dependent children to continue receiving health benefits until age 30 in some cases. The remaining 20 states do not have such rules and the insurance company decides when to end dependent eligibility for health insurance.
Requirements
In states with extended insurability ages, dependents can be on the parents' health insurance as long as they are not married, have no dependents, do not qualify for other insurance, and live in the state.
School Leave
Full-time dependent students can take up to 12 months of leave without having their insurance benefits interrupted.
Continuation Coverage
Dependent children qualify for COBRA continuation coverage for 36 months after losing their dependent status, regardless of age, but must pay the full premium.
Tags: health insurance, dependent children, after losing, health insurance, their dependent
