It’s important to protect your family with health insurance. But can your health plan cover all members of your family? Here are answers to common questions about family coverage.
Q: Who is eligible to get coverage under my health insurance?
A: Generally, family members qualify for coverage if they meet the specific criteria and definitions in the health plan contract. Typically, these family members include:
- Legal spouse
- Biological children and stepchildren
- Legally adopted children and children placed with you or your covered spouse for adoption
- Children for whom you or your spouse have been appointed legal guardian
- Foster children placed with you or your covered spouse
- Financially dependent grandchildren who live with you or your covered spouse continuously from birth*
- Children allowed to obtain health coverage by a Qualified Medical Child Support Order
- Disabled dependent children older than age 26 who meet specific criteria
- A domestic partner of an unmarried contract holder*
- Children of the domestic partner*
*Self-insured employer plans may not cover these dependents.
Q: How long can a dependent child stay on my health insurance?
A: You can include eligible children on your plan until they reach age 26. Your health plan will discontinue coverage on your children’s 26th birthday.
Your 26-year-old adult children must enroll in their own plan within 60 days of their 26th birthday. This is important to remember, because if they miss this special enrollment window they may have to wait for the next open enrollment period. This could leave them uninsured for a time.
Q: Can I add my married child to my plan?
A: An eligible child that is single or married can remain on your health plan until age 26. At age 26, they must enroll in a health plan through their job, their spouse’s job or through an individual insurance plan.
Q: Can I add my parents or my spouse’s parents to my plan?
A: No, you cannot include your parents on your plan. They must enroll in their own health plan through their job, an individual insurance plan or Medicare (if they are eligible).
Q: When can I add dependents to my health plan?
A: You can add new family members to your plan in special cases:
- Newborn baby: Add within 60 days of birth
- Adopted child: Add within 60 days of placement
- New spouse: Add within 60 days of marriage
- Job loss: Add a spouse or child (up to age 26) within 60 days of losing employer coverage
- Dependent child, older than age 26 who is disabled
*If job loss is not voluntary or because of nonpayment or fraud
To add dependents, call the number on the back of your member ID card, talk to an agent or meet with a Blue Cross Advisor.
Q: How do I remove a family member from my health plan?
A: You may remove family members from your plan at any time. Generally, this happens when they obtain coverage from another source. Call the number on the back of your ID card to remove dependents from your plan.
If you get health insurance through your employer, contact human resources to learn how to add or cancel a dependent.
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