# Turning 26: how to get your own health insurance > You can usually stay on a parent’s plan until 26; coverage often ends around your birthday or at the end of that month, so check the plan. Losing it lets you sign up for a marketplace plan within about 60 days, and you can often apply before it ends. Compare your employer’s plan, a marketplace plan with income-based help, Medicaid if your income is low, or COBRA. Check premiums, deductibles, doctors and medicines. - URL: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=turning-26-health-insurance ## Step by step 1. **Turning 26 and coming off a parent’s plan?** Your coverage usually ends around your birthday. Here’s how to pick your own plan without a gap. 2. **You get a special window to sign up.** Losing coverage lets you sign up for a marketplace plan outside open enrollment, usually within 60 days. You can often apply before your coverage ends. 3. **Know your options.** Your employer’s plan, a marketplace plan, Medicaid if your income is low, or COBRA to keep a parent’s job plan for a while, usually at full price. 4. **Check if you get help paying.** Marketplace plans come with tax credits based on your income that can lower your monthly cost a lot. Enter your income to see your price. 5. **Learn four words.** Premium, deductible, copay and out-of-pocket maximum. A low monthly price often means a high deductible. 6. **Check your doctors and medicines.** Make sure your doctors are in the plan’s network and your prescriptions are covered before you choose. 7. **Be careful with very cheap plans.** Some short-term plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions or major care. Read what’s covered before you buy. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Find out when your coverage ends - Sign up within your 60-day window - Compare your job plan, marketplace, Medicaid and COBRA - Check for help with the cost - Learn premium, deductible, copay and out-of-pocket max - Check your doctors and medicines ## When coverage ends You can usually stay on a parent’s plan until you turn 26. Coverage often ends around your birthday or at the end of that month; some plans differ, so check. ## Your sign-up window Losing coverage lets you sign up for a marketplace plan outside open enrollment, usually within 60 days. You can often apply before your coverage ends, so there’s no gap. ## Your options - **Your employer’s plan,** if offered. Turning 26 usually counts as a reason to join mid-year. - **Marketplace** (HealthCare.gov or your state’s site), with tax credits based on income. - **Medicaid,** if your income is low enough in your state. - **COBRA,** to stay on a parent’s job plan for a while, usually at full price. ## Four words - **Premium:** what you pay each month. - **Deductible:** what you pay before the plan starts paying for many services. - **Copay:** a set fee for a visit or prescription. - **Out-of-pocket maximum:** the most you’ll pay in a year for covered care. ## Before you choose Check that your doctors are in network and your medicines are covered. Be careful with very cheap short-term plans that may not cover pre-existing conditions or major care. ## Common questions ### Can I stay on my parent’s plan after 26 if I’m in school? Generally no; the age-26 rule doesn’t depend on being a student. Some plans or states have special rules, so check with the plan. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/can-i-stay-on-my-parents-plan-after-26-if-im-in-school ### Is COBRA a good option? It keeps the same coverage, but you usually pay the full cost plus a small fee. Compare it with marketplace plans, which may cost less with income-based help. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/is-cobra-a-good-option ### When exactly does coverage end when I turn 26? It depends on the plan. Many end on your 26th birthday or at the end of that month; some at the end of the plan year. Ask the plan or a parent’s HR office. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/when-exactly-does-coverage-end-when-i-turn-26 ### Can I sign up for a marketplace plan before my coverage ends? Often yes. You can usually apply up to 60 days before you lose coverage, so your new plan starts without a gap. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/can-i-sign-up-for-a-marketplace-plan-before-my-coverage-ends ### What is a special enrollment period? A window, usually 60 days, to sign up for a marketplace plan outside open enrollment because of a life change like losing coverage, moving or having a baby. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/what-is-a-special-enrollment-period ### How much does COBRA cost? Usually the full cost of the plan, including the part the employer used to pay, plus up to a 2% fee. It’s often more than a marketplace plan with income-based help. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/how-much-does-cobra-cost ### Do I qualify for Medicaid? It depends on your income and your state. Many states cover adults with low incomes. Check on HealthCare.gov or your state’s Medicaid site. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/do-i-qualify-for-medicaid ### HMO or PPO: which should I choose? An HMO usually costs less but needs referrals and in-network care. A PPO costs more but lets you see more doctors without referrals. Choose based on your doctors and budget. Source page: https://explained.page/turning-26-health-insurance/questions/hmo-or-ppo-which-should-i-choose ## Official sources - [HealthCare.gov](https://www.healthcare.gov/) - [U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA](https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra) To find your local office, search for: - "healthcare.gov special enrollment period" - "[your state] Medicaid eligibility" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.