The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows young adults, under the age of 26, to stay on their parents’ health insurance.
Starting in September, 2010, Joshua will be able to stay on his parents’ insurance until his 26th birthday, at his parents’ choice, regardless of school enrollment status, as long as he does not have access to employer sponsored coverage.
By 2014, once Joshua is done with school and is employed, if he is not covered by his employer, and his income is below $43,320 a year (4 times the poverty level for an individual), he can get subsidies to buy private health insurance from a state-run health insurance exchange, which would offer a menu of choices, including a catastrophic policy available to people under 30.
If Joshua is covered by his employer, he can still buy insurance through an exchange if the premiums of his employers’ plan are too high relative to his income. If he still cannot afford to buy insurance, he could apply for a hardship waiver.
Also by 2014, insurers can no longer discriminate against adults with pre-existing conditions. |