Turning 26 and Losing Health Insurance Coverage?

You have 60 days to enroll in a new plan when you turn 26. If you're eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, make sure you compare your options, choose a plan and make your first premium payment before the 60 day timeline ends.

If you missed your Special Enrollment deadline, you'll need to wait to enroll during the Open Enrollment Period. During Open Enrollment, anyone can apply and you won't have to show proof of your life event. Open Enrollment starts Nov. 1 and normally lasts just over 2 months, ending Jan. 16.

When you turn 26, you typically can’t be included as a dependent on any of your parents’ coverage. This means you will need to choose your own vision and dental plan when enrolling in health insurance coverage. 

You can choose to add dental coverage when you shop on our shopping platform and choose vision coverage independently. Learn more about your vision and dental coverage options with BCSBIL.

You may be able to keep your doctors when you enroll in a new plan, but you'll want to guarantee by checking. Search our Provider Finder^® tool and compare the doctors included in each plans’ network. 

If your doctor’s not in the network of your new plan, you can use Provider Finder to explore doctors who are in-network and close to home. Search for in-network doctors.

Budget: Knowing your monthly budget for health insurance can help you determine which plan you can best afford. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois offers 3 different levels of coverage:

• Gold level plans have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs, a good option if you need more medical care than most.
• Silver level plans balance costs with moderate premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Plus, you may be eligible for subsidies or other savings opportunities, like cost sharing assistance.
• Bronze level plans offer lower monthly premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs, ideal if you're generally healthy and don't need much health care support.

Each plan type has Gold, Silver and Bronze level options. Explore the metallic levels.

Coverage Needs: Assess your health care needs — if you visit doctors or specialists often, make sure you choose a plan that fits. Check that your current providers are in-network and that your prescription medicines are covered.

After you enroll in a new plan and make your first premium payment, your coverage will begin on the first of the next available month.