If you have a quality health insurance plan, you may be considering adding others to your policy. Protecting your parents, siblings, and other loved ones is a worthwhile goal, and with the rising cost of healthcare and insurance premiums, it makes sense that you want to help provide coverage to those in your family.
Most health insurance providers have policies about who can be considered a dependent on their plans. However, every policy is different, and the rules may be determined by your specific health plan or even your employer, if you have coverage through your place of employment.
How Do Dependents Work with Health Insurance?
A dependent is a person who is eligible to be added to a health insurance plan. If you list a dependent on your plan, they will receive the same benefits and coverage as you do.
Not all health insurance policies have the same eligibility requirements for dependents. The only way to know who exactly can be added to your plan is by looking at the details of your policy.
Who Can Be Covered by Your Health Insurance Plan?
In most cases, if someone is considered a dependent on your taxes, they can also be a dependent on your health insurance plan. The opposite is true, too: If you cannot claim someone as a dependent, they probably cannot be covered by your policy.
Health insurance plans typically allow you to add spouses and children as dependents:
- Your current spouse
- All children under the age of 26, including biological children, adopted children, stepchildren, and foster children
- Financially dependent grandchildren
- Children you provide more than half of the financial support for
- Children who can receive your benefits due to a court order
Parents, siblings, or other family members are generally not eligible for coverage, unless the certain caveats apply:
- No one else has claimed them as a dependent
- Their gross annual income is $3,000 or less
- You provide more than half of the financial support for them
- A court order allows you to include them on your health insurance plan
Special circumstances, like taking care of a relative with a disability, may fit under this category.
It’s important to note that the rules about dependent eligibility vary by state, plan, and provider. Always double-check the details of your health insurance policy and see who you are allowed to list on your plan.
How Can You Get Health Insurance for Your Siblings, Parents, or Others?
If you want to find health insurance coverage for your parents, siblings, or other family members, the first step is to contact your health insurance provider and see if you can add them to your plan.
Health insurance policies and providers have different rules and regulations surrounding dependents, so your options will depend on your unique plan. Generally, though, your parents or siblings must be claimed as dependents on your taxes in order to be eligible for your health insurance policy.
If your health insurance plan does not cover your parents or siblings, other options are to enroll them in Medicare (if they are over 65 years old) or help them get coverage through the Marketplace. For additional assistance, get in touch with a local, trusted insurance provider and ask for a consultation.
Contact Melton McFadden to Get Health Insurance in Michigan
At Melton McFadden, our experienced insurance professionals can help you develop a health insurance plan that protects your finances, family, and peace of mind. We are ready to guide you through the process of identifying coverage essentials, finding gaps in your current insurance plan, and creating a solution that works best for you and your dependents.
Whether you are looking to expand your current healthcare coverage, sign up for a new policy, or create a plan to protect your employees, we’re here for you every step of the way.
Contact us today or request a free quote to get started.
