Add an adult child under 26 to your health plan
Children are eligible for health coverage under a parent’s Self & Family enrollment.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), children are eligible for health coverage under their parents’ Self and Family enrollment up to age 26. The law also states that:
- Married children are allowed to be covered
- There are no dependency requirements
- There are no residency requirements
- A child is not required to be a student or to have prior or current insurance coverage
| Children | Effect of ACA |
|---|---|
| Between ages 22 and 26 | Eligible for coverage under their parents’ Self and Family enrollment. |
| Married children | Married children (but NOT their spouse or their own children) are eligible for coverage up to age 26. This is true even if the child is currently under age 22. |
| Children with or eligible for employer-provided health insurance | Children who are eligible for or have their own employer-provided health insurance are eligible up to age 26. |
| Stepchildren | Stepchildren do not need to live with the enrollee in a parent-child relationship to be eligible up to age 26. |
| Children incapable of self-support | Children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that began before age 26 are eligible to continue coverage. |
| Foster children | The foster child must be placed with the enrollee by an authorized placement agency or by judgment, decree or order of any court of competent jurisdiction. |
How to add a child under 26 to your plan
Self Only
Members must switch to a Self and Family plan during Open Season and include the child in the enrollment.
Self and Family
Members must notify us that you wish to add a dependent and provide us with the necessary information. The High Option Plan and the Consumer Driven Option Plan may handle this differently.
- If you are currently not enrolled in the FEHB program and would like to cover an eligible child, you must enroll in Self and Family coverage during Open Season.
- If you make an Open Season change, that change will take effect on the first day of the first pay period of the year.
PSHB members
Contact the PSHB Helpline:
1-844-451-1261
7 am – 8:45 pm ET, Monday – Friday