Health Care The Twenty Something’s Guide to the Affordable Care Act Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam Published Jul 8, 2014 3 min read The Affordable Care Act required most Americans, even millenials, to have minimum essential health insurance coverage by March 31, 2014 or face a tax penalty on 2014 taxes filed in 2015. If you’re a twenty-something who is a college student, grad school student, or someone about to start your first job, you might be wondering how your age and the Affordable Care Act affects your health care situation and taxes. As a twenty-something under Obamacare, you have the opportunity to remain on your parents’ insurance plan until you reach the age of 26 and avoid facing a tax penalty, even if you are married or do not currently live with your family. That also applies even if you are financially independent from your parents or are eligible for your employer’s health insurance plan – as long as you are under the age of 26 you’re allowed to stay on your family’s plan. For twenty-somethings over the age of 26 (or if you choose to purchase your own health insurance and leave your parents’ plan), here are a few available options for individuals between the ages of 18 and 29: Student Health Insurance Plans: Almost all colleges and universities throughout the U.S. provide options for student health insurance plans that are available during your time as a student. Coverage under these plans usually ends when your time as a student ends, whether that’s at graduation or if you leave the university at any time. Health Insurance Plans Through Your Employer: If you just started your first job and are a full-time employee, your employer should offer group health insurance coverage. Typically you’re free to enroll in employer-sponsored plans shortly after your hire date. Under the Affordable Care Act, you cannot have a lapse in coverage longer than three months so make sure to check in with HR about your options and timing for your coverage to kick in. Consider staying on your parents’ plan for a few months, if your lapse in coverage will be longer than three months or consider a short-term healthcare plan. Marketplace Plans: If you lose coverage because you’ve turned 26, your full-time job becomes part-time, or if you are a recent grad you may be eligible for a 60-day special enrollment period for plans offered through the online Health Insurance Marketplace. These plans are also a good option for individuals who are over 26 and leaving their current job to go back to graduate school and in need of health insurance coverage. If you don’t qualify for the special enrollment period through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you can sign up for health insurance during open enrollment which begins on November 15, 2014. Short-term Coverage Plans: As the name implies, these types of plans cover you for a short period of time. Typically, they are not renewable after the set expiration date. While short-term plans are not considered minimum essential health coverage, they can provide medical coverage for any potential health care services you might need in between a coverage period, for example if coverage from your parents’ plan ends on July 15th and your employer plan doesn’t begin until October 15th. As with all tax laws, TurboTax is up to date and has you covered. If you have more questions, TurboTax Health can help you understand how the Affordable Care Act impacts you and your finances. Previous Post I Don’t Have Health Insurance – What Tax Penalties Will… Next Post Do You Qualify for the Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment… Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam More from TurboTaxBlogTeam One response to “The Twenty Something’s Guide to the Affordable Care Act” My kids get Medicaid, and me and my husband get family planning. Are we still required to get health insurance? I can’t even afford my bills now! What kind of penalty will I have to pay by not having it? Reply Leave a ReplyCancel reply Browse Related Articles Crypto Understanding Crypto and Capital Gains Work 7 Things You Need to Know About the New Business Report… Work Using Form 8829 to Write-Off Business Use of Your Home Tax Tips Roth 403(b) vs. Roth IRA: Which Should You Invest In? Life Interest Rates, Inflation, and Your Taxes Investments Essential Tax Tips for Maximizing Investment Gains Uncategorized TurboTax is Partnering with Saweetie to Elevate Hoop Dr… Business Small Business Owners: Optimize Your Taxes with a Mid-Y… Small Business The Benefits of Employing Your Children and the Tax Bre… Income and Investments Are Olympics Winnings Taxed?
My kids get Medicaid, and me and my husband get family planning. Are we still required to get health insurance? I can’t even afford my bills now! What kind of penalty will I have to pay by not having it? Reply