Coverage for dependents
A dependent is anyone who is eligible to be covered by your health plan. Every employer's plan is a little different, but most plans offer dependent coverage to:
- Your legally married spouse (some plans also offer coverage for domestic partners)
- Unmarried children, including step-children, legally adopted children, and children for whom you or your spouse is the court-appointed permanent or limited (but not temporary) guardian
- An unmarried incapacitated child who is over the maximum age of coverage on your plan. You must provide proof that your child is incapacitated within 31 days after your child reaches the maximum age of coverage, and once a year after that.
Divorce
If you divorce your spouse, you must let us know within 30 days that they should no longer be covered under your plan.
Newborns, new children and new spouses
You have 30 days from the date of your baby's birth, adopting a child or marrying to add a new family member to your plan. If you forget, you will have to wait until your plan's next open enrollment period to add your new family member.
Student coverage
You will have to check the rules for your plan. Many plans extend coverage for children after age 18 if they are full-time students.
Coverage for your adult child to age 26
Adult children can be covered on their parents' group health plan until the young adult turns 26. Coverage must offer the same benefits as for other dependents, and can't cost any more.
To be covered from age 18 to 26, the child:
- Must be a son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, legally adopted child of the employee
- Doesn't have to be living with a parent
- Doesn't have to be a dependent on a parent's tax return
- Doesn't have to be a full-time student
- May be married (but plan will not cover your child's spouse or children)
When you can add your adult child to your plan
If your 19-to-26-year-old child is not on your plan today and is not a full-time student, you must wait until the plan's annual renewal/open enrollment period to add him or her to your coverage.
