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.
Postal members
Contact the Human Resources Shared Service Center (HRSSC):