DES MOINES – Few students realize that once their health plans ends after graduation they have 30 days to notify their parents' health insurance company to continue coverage. If students miss the 30-day window, it could be months before they're able to join their parents' plan under open enrollment. To help educate students of the rules, Obama for America today released the attached fact sheet detailing the action graduating college students can take to keep health care coverage once they are out of school. Under the Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama in March 2010, students can stay on their parents' plans until they turn 26 - and 2.5 million young adults who would otherwise be uninsured have coverage today because of Obamacare.
Before health care reform, more young Americans lacked health coverage than any other age group - accounting for more than one in five of the uninsured. As young people transition to the job market, they often have entry level jobs, part time jobs, or jobs at small businesses - all forms of employment that are less likely to offer insurance. That is why it is imperative to let students know how to switch from their student health plan to their parents' plan after graduation. Once student health plans end, they will have only 30 days to notify their parents' health insurance company. If students miss the 30-day window, it could be months before they're able to join their parents' plan under open enrollment.
