the short answer is it depends. starting next year young adults who are younger than age 26 can stay on their parents' health insurance plans even if they have the option of enrolling in coverage offered by an employer. if you are in this situation you (and your family) should look carefully at the overall cost of adding you to your parents' plan compared to the cost you would have to pay for premiums under an employment-based option. in addition don't look only at premiums. consider factors as well such as: (1) whether your doctor or the hospital you may go to if you are sick are part of the two plan's networks; (2) how much coinsurance or copayments are for routine doctor's visits; and (3) what you will have to pay for prescription drugs under the various plans. and as always you should also listen to your parents! they may have views on this too.
is it better for young adults to stay on their parent's health plan or get their own?