How long can I keep my child on my plan?
A child can usually stay on your health plan until they turn 26. If your child is aging off your plan, they may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to choose new coverage after losing dependent coverage.
When dependent coverage ends
Most health plans that offer dependent child coverage must keep that coverage available until the child reaches age 26. This applies to both married and unmarried children. However, the exact termination date of coverage can vary by plan. Some plans end coverage on the dependent’s 26th birthday, while others extend coverage through the end of the month or calendar year. It is important to verify the specific rules with your insurance carrier.
What happens when they turn 26
When your child turns 26, they usually lose eligibility under your plan and will need to enroll in their own health coverage. Losing coverage because of aging out typically triggers a Special Enrollment Period. This event is classified as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), which allows your child to enroll in a new health plan during the Special Enrollment Period.
What to do next
Confirm the date your child’s coverage ends.
Review their health coverage options before the deadline.
Enroll in a new plan during the Special Enrollment Period.
Pay the first premium, if required, to activate coverage.5. Check documentation requirements, such as a letter from the employer or a screenshot from the carrier portal confirming the upcoming loss of coverage.
Contact the insurance carrier to request written confirmation of the dependent’s loss of coverage.
Notify your insurance carrier to remove the dependent from your policy, confirm the effective date of the change, and request updated Proof of Coverage.
Log in to your Take Command Member Portal to update your health insurance details with the new premium and coverage information, and upload the updated Proof of Coverage.
If applicable, adjust recurring premiums in HRA Hub by canceling the existing premium, uploading the updated Proof of Coverage, and creating a new recurring premium request with the correct amount and effective date.
Removing a Dependent from Your Plan
To remove a dependent from your plan, notify your insurance carrier and confirm the effective date of the change. Request updated Proof of Coverage reflecting the revised policy details. Additionally, update your Take Command Member Portal with the new premium and coverage information, and upload the updated Proof of Coverage for review. If you have recurring premiums set up in HRA Hub, cancel the existing premium, upload the updated Proof of Coverage, and create a new recurring premium request with the correct amount and effective date.
Special Considerations
If your dependent resides in a different county, the Take Command portal does not allow adding them to the same plan. Confirm with the carrier if exceptions are possible but note that portal rules will still apply.
The exact enrollment window can depend on the type of plan and the coverage being selected. In many cases, you have 60 days before or 60 days after the qualifying event to enroll, but some job-based plans have different rules. Additionally, the termination date of coverage can vary by plan, which may affect when the 60-day enrollment window begins. Some plans end coverage on the dependent’s 26th birthday, while others extend coverage through the end of the month or calendar year.
Need help
If you have questions about your coverage timeline or next steps, contact our Customer Experience team for help.