If you're having trouble finding health insurance you can afford, you'll find more options now because of theAffordable Care Act.
Here are some common questions people have about finding low-cost health insurance.
To get started, contact your parents' insurance company to make sure it offers coverage for dependents.
If it does, then the insurance plan has to accept you until you're 26. You're eligible even if you live away from home or you're married.
Next, find out when you can enroll. You may have to wait for a special enrollment period.
Keep in mind that going on your parents' insurance won't be free. If the plan only covers your parent -- or a parent and spouse -- expect the monthly insurance cost to go up when you join.
It mat be. You may be able to get tax credits to help you buy insurance. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a citizen or legal resident
- Buy your coverage through your state's new health insurance Marketplace, also called an Exchange
- Make about $11,670 to $46,680 a year if you are single or $23,850 to $95,400 a year if you are in a family of four
If you make less than about $16,000, you may be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid will cost you less than a plan on the Marketplace.
Unfortunately, not all states are expanding Medicaid. If that’s the case and your income is less than $11,670, you may not be able to enroll in Medicaid or be able to get a tax credit.
In general, you're not eligible for the tax credits if you could get coverage through a workplace. However, the coverage offered by your employer must be considered affordable. If your company offers a plan that costs more than 9.5% of your income or that does not cover at least 60% of the cost of covered benefits, you can look for a more affordable plan through your state's Marketplace and may receive tax credits to lower your costs.
