I’m a young adult and I need health insurance. What are my coverage options?

A number of options may be available to you:

• If your annual income is $21,597 or less in 2026 (138% federal poverty level for a single adult), you may qualify for Medicaid coverage. Not all states have elected to expand Medicaid eligibility to this income level. Check with a navigator or another type of assister using Find Local Help, or check with your state Marketplace to learn more about Medicaid eligibility in your state. 
• If your parents have employer-sponsored health insurance that offers dependent coverage, you can join (or stay on) their policy as a dependent and remain covered until your 26th birthday (or if your parents have a Marketplace plan, until the end of the year you turn 26).
• If you are employed, find out if your employer offers health insurance and if you qualify.
• Or you can buy a plan on your own through your state health insurance Marketplace. All plans sold through the Marketplace must meet requirements for covered benefits and cost sharing. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for help to reduce the cost of plan premiums and/or cost sharing. If your expected income for 2026 is at least $15,650, you may qualify for a premium tax credit. Additionally, if your expected income for 2026 is between $15,560 and $39,125, you may also be eligible for cost-sharing subsidies if you enroll in a Silver plan.
• Special “catastrophic” plans with low premiums and very high cost sharing may be offered to young adults under the age of 30; however, premium and cost-sharing subsidies are not available for catastrophic plans.
• If you are a student, you may be able to enroll in student health coverage offered through your college or university.