Having or Adopting a Baby?

You have 60 days to enroll in a new plan after adopting or having a child. This means you can wait until the Open Enrollment Period to enroll if you'd prefer. During Open Enrollment, anyone can apply and you won't have to show proof of your life event. Open Enrollment starts November 1st and normally lasts just over 2 months, ending January 16th.

If you missed your 60-day Special Enrollment deadline, you'll need to wait to enroll during the Open Enrollment Period. 

In most cases your child can be added to either you or your partner’s plan. You or your partner can add children as plan dependents if: 

• You/your partner are their biological, adopted or foster parent 
• They are financially dependent on you or your partner
• It was determined through court that they can be included as a dependent on you or your partner’s plan

Normally, your child can stay covered by you or your partner’s plan until they turn 26. If your child is a military veteran or has qualifying medical conditions, they may be able to stay on your plan until they turn 30.  Some medical conditions or disabilities let you keep your child covered by your plan even longer.

Just because you’re able to cover your children beyond the age of 18, they’re not required to stay on your plan. For example, they may choose a group plan before turning 26 if they get a job that offer health care benefits.