Turning 26 Soon and Losing Parents' Health Insurance – Need Advice on Next Steps

Hi everyone!

I’m turning 26 in March next year, and I’ve just realized that I’ll be losing my parents’ health insurance when that happens. Right now, I’m not working because I’m a full-time student, so I don’t have any income.

I’ve heard about Medi-Cal and Covered California, but I’m a bit confused about how they work, especially with my situation of having no income. Can anyone explain how I would qualify for coverage, what my options might be, and what steps I should take to make sure I don’t end up uninsured? Any advice would be really helpful. Thanks in advance :wink:

When I turned 26 and lost my parents’ health insurance, I faced a similar situation. With no income as a full-time student, I explored Medi-Cal and Covered California. Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost coverage based on income and is often available to those with no income. I applied for Medi-Cal and was approved, which helped me avoid being uninsured. Covered California is another option, where you can apply for subsidized health insurance plans if your income qualifies. I recommend applying for Medi-Cal first, as it’s more likely to offer coverage if you have no income. Make sure to check eligibility requirements and deadlines to ensure you have coverage when your current insurance ends.

Visit https://www.healthcare.gov to shop. There will be many options available for you to choose from.