Your students might be unaware of how long they can stay on their parents' health insurance.

Answer: 26 years old.

Questions:

• There’s a misconception that young people don’t have to get insurance because they’re generally healthy and don’t need it. What’s one argument against this?
• Do you think there is a cost to being on a parent's health insurance plan? If so, do you think a child's insurance is more/less expensive than their parent's health insurance? 
• Do you think this is a good policy to allow young people to stay on their parent's health insurance plans up to this age? Why or why not? 

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the numbers (from HHS.gov):

"Under current law, if your plan covers children, you can now add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old.

Children can join or remain on a parent's plan even if they are:

• Married
• Not living with their parents
• Attending school
• Not financially dependent on their parents
• Eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan"

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Looking for more on insurance? Check out NGPF's Insurance unit.

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About the Author

Ryan Wood

Ryan is the Partnerships and Adoption Manager for Next Gen Personal Finance’s midwest region. He brings his experience as a former teacher, curriculum designer, and sales and marketing professional to state organizations and school districts in supporting the implementation of their personal financial education efforts. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and earned his teaching credential from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. He proudly taught at two rural high schools in Wisconsin before transitioning to curriculum design at NGPF, and is now excited to be on the front lines in delivering the best possible financial education in the midwest. He and his wife have three beautiful daughters, each of which inspire him to share the impact of being sound financial stewards both at home and as lifelong learners.