How long can I stay on my parents’ dental insurance?

You may be surprised that young adults can only remain on their parent’s dental insurance up to the age of 19, or even longer. Some insurers will extend the age restriction to full-time college students and dependents with a disability. Rules vary depending on the plan and state law.

The age limit for dental insurance for children may confuse some people because of the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) federal law that extends coverage for dependents up to the age of 26. does not apply to vision or dental insurance. Find out more about different age limits on vision insurance.

How long can I stay on my parents’ dental insurance if I move out or get married?

Some dental insurers allow you to stay on the plan of your parents if they move out but not if they get married.

Samuel Greenes is an insurance broker, founder and CEO at BLUE Insurance. He told Investopedia that it’s common for insurers “to have restrictions for dependents based on financial independence factors like like cohabitation status or marriage.

You’ll have to check the contract of your parent’s dental plan to see what “dependents” means.

Extending the age limit

Children are covered by their insurance plan until the age of 19. There are no federal regulations that require continued coverage after that. 1

Some states extend the age limit to which children can remain under their parent’s plan.

Greenes says that there are very few statutory protections and most insurance policies are flexible, with an age limit of 22 to 26. Dentists who do not set their own age limits will often cover young adults only until they turn 19, or in some cases, until the end of the month. 8

After that, you may only be covered if you are unmarried, a student full-time or if a doctor certifies you as disabled. Some dental insurers may extend coverage to young adults with disabilities.

Dental Insurance Alternatives for Your Parents

Greenes says that if you are no longer covered by your parents’ dental plan, there are several options available to you to cover the cost.

1. You can get group insurance plans through your employer.
2. If you are still in school, there are university-based insurance plans for students.
3. You can purchase your own low-cost dental discount plans.
4. Individual dental coverage Policies that you can purchase through federal or state insurance marketplaces, or directly from providers’ websites.

If you lose dental coverage under your parents’ plan, you are eligible for a special registration period on the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. It’s not necessary to wait for the next enrollment period before you can join a dental plan.

You can also choose to go without dental coverage. You may decide to pay for cleanings, minor dental work like fillings of cavities out-of pocket if you cannot afford the premiums but have healthy teeth. Payment plans are available from many dentists to help you pay for any unexpected dental work.

Does it make sense to stay on your parents’ dental insurance?

It is usually worth it to stay on your parent’s dental plan for as long as possible. You will likely pay more and receive less benefits if you purchase your own plan. Greenes stated that a family plan will provide more benefits for a lower cost.

What is the average cost of dental insurance for a family?

Greenes stated that according to 2023 data from the insurance industry, family dental insurance costs hover around $380. They can range from $200 for a discount plan to up to $600 if you choose a comprehensive plan. Deductibles and copays may also influence the final amount of money you pay out-of pocket.

Does my parents’ dental insurance cover me if I am a full-time student?

You must be a full time student in order to qualify for insurance coverage after you turn 19. Rules vary depending on the plan and the state. In New York and New Mexico, for example, you don’t need to be a student in order to get coverage under your parent’s plan until the age of 26.

Can I continue to be covered by my parents’ dental insurance if I have a job?

The insurer will determine whether you are able to remain on your parent’s dental plan. You may not be able to stay on your parent’s plan if your are working or covered by your employer’s plan.

How long can I stay on my parents’ vision insurance?

You can usually stay on your parent’s vision insurance until at least the age of 19, or longer if there is a disability or you are a full-time college student. As with dental insurance, the rules on dependent coverage are similar. The ACA does not mandate that vision insurers cover dependents before age 26.

Can I have my own insurance and be on my parents’ policy at the same time?

If both of your policies and those of your parents are based on employment, you can only have them at the same time if they’re group policies. Individual plans do not allow dual policies. The oldest group-based plan will be your primary insurer and the second your secondary. Your primary insurance carrier will usually cover more than your secondary plan. 10

Bottom Line

If you are a full-time college student, you can remain on your parent’s dental insurance until at least the age of 19. After that, many insurers will extend coverage to approximately 26 years old if you are a permanent disabled person. You may not have an age limit if you are financially dependent on parents and permanently disabled.

In some states, there are laws that require a higher age limit for dependents to be covered by dental plans. You must be single in many states. In states where there are no laws, insurers may have different age requirements and limits.

ARTICLE SOURCES

Adsrocks’s writers are required to use primary resources to support their writing. White papers, government statistics, original reporting and interviews with experts in the industry are some of these sources. Where appropriate, we also refer to original research by other reputable publishers. Our editorial policies will tell you more about our standards for producing accurate and unbiased content.