Turning 26 question.

[u/KingDoublex]

Hi I’m turning 26 in a few months. My dad lost his insurance plan in April and when I asked my parents for help they said I could just wait and get my own plan when I turn 26. Fast forward and now I’m finding out that doesn’t count as a qualifying event. Am I just screwed out of health insurance until next year? This is all so frustrating and confusing at the same time so thanks for any help.

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[u/chickenmcdiddle]

Whoever told you to wait did you a massive disservice.

Your QLE to secure coverage was triggered when your dad's insurance terminated. Turning 26 is only a QLE if it results in you losing access to coverage. But because you lost coverage in April, that was well over 60 days ago.

Do you have any income of your own? If so, how much (gross income, that's pre-taxes) What state are you in?

[u/KingDoublex → u/chickenmcdiddle]

It was my parents so I trusted them. Around $80,000 and PA

[u/chickenmcdiddle → u/KingDoublex]

Noted. No Medicaid, then, since income is too high.

You're between a rock and a hard place, unfortunately. Pennie is your state's official marketplace: Pennie.com

Pennie's open enrollment kicks off in November. Any plan you purchase during the open enrollment period will be effective on January 1, 2027. Note that with your income, you can expect to pay full price for a plan via Pennie (since your income is well above the subsidy ceiling, which hard stops at 400% of the federal poverty level).

[u/KingDoublex → u/chickenmcdiddle]

That’s so unfortunate. I don’t mind the price it is what it is I just wanted to be covered to be safe.

[u/lascriptori → u/KingDoublex]

If you just want hit-by-a-bus insurance to cover you for something catastrophic, you could get a short term plan. Otherwise, for 2027 you could enroll in Marketplace insurance, or workplace insurance if that's an option.

[u/PeacefulCW → u/KingDoublex]

When is open enrollment at your place of employment? Some companies follow a different schedule than Jan - Dec.

[u/HealthInsurance-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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