Chapter 9 · 6 min read
When You Turn 26
You're aging off your parent's plan. The good news: this is a Qualifying Life Event, which gives you a Special Enrollment Period — 60 days to pick your own plan without waiting for open enrollment.
Your timeline
- The day after your 26th birthday (in most cases — some plans let you stay through the end of the month or year) coverage on your parent's plan ends.
- 60-day window before AND after that date to pick a new plan. Don't wait — apply early so coverage starts the day the old plan ends.
Don't let a gap happen
Even a single uncovered day means a single bad accident becomes catastrophic. Pick your new plan before you turn 26, with a start date matching the day after coverage ends.
Your options at 26
- Your employer — if they offer it, usually the cheapest option.
- The ACA marketplace — individual plans. Most 26-year-olds qualify for premium subsidies.
- Medicaid — if your income is under about $20,000/year (varies by state).
- COBRA — you can technically extend your parent's plan, but it's expensive (you pay the full premium). Almost never the right call unless you're between options for a month.