In recent years, there has been very significant legislation passed in an attempt to guarantee everyone access to health care insurance. Still, however, it is difficult for many to afford it. If you have insurance, you may be wondering if it is possible to use it to pay for someone else's treatment and care. In short, it is possible to pay for someone else’s treatment as long as they are included in your insurance plan, but there are a variety of rules that exist surrounding adding someone to your health insurance.
Who Can You Add to Your Health Insurance Plan?
If you want to use your health insurance to pay for someone else, you have the option of adding them to your health insurance. When signing up for insurance, go over their policy about adding your household members. If you are unsure who counts as a household member, it typically includes yourself, a spouse (if you have one), and the dependents you claim.
There are additional specifics when it comes to figuring out your household. For instance, understanding who can be a dependent (child, sibling, parent), how to file for a child dependent if you share custody, and more. Certain requirements exist for spouses as well, especially if they are separated.
An additional means of changing your insurance plan to cover someone else is if certain life events occur. To use an example, if you have a baby, you typically get up to 60 days to add them to your health insurance plan from the day that they are born.
When signing up for insurance, you should keep in mind that you are required to provide health insurance for anyone you claim as a dependent. If you list your spouse or child as a dependent, you need to add them to your plan, even if they are not currently in need of medical care or coverage.
Can You Put Non-family Members on Your Health Insurance?
Yes, it is possible to add non-family members onto your health insurance policy. Depending on the insurer and plan, you may be able to cover any age child or adult who you consider part of your family. Some insurers also have provisions for covering partners, housemates, domestic partners and other close acquaintances. These relationships must generally be proven through documentation such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses or marriage certificates. It is important to remember that adding a non-family member could affect your premium cost or the coverage available so it is important to review all of the details with the insurer before signing up.
When You Can and Can’t Add Someone to Your Health Plan?
Generally speaking, adding someone to your health plan is possible when the person is a spouse, dependent child or another family member. It may also be possible to add non-family members depending on the insurer and plan. In some cases, it may also be allowable to add a domestic partner or housemate as long as they provide proof of their relationship with you. Depending on the type of policy and insurance provider, there may be restrictions on the age of the individual being added, so it’s best to verify this information before making any decisions. Additionally, adding someone to your plan could impact premiums, coverage and cost-sharing requirements so it’s important to consider all of these factors before making any final decisions. Young adults are allowed to stay on their parent’s health plans until they turn 26 years old. In some cases, it may also be possible for them to stay on their parent’s plan after they turn 26 if they are enrolled as a full-time student or have experienced certain other qualifying life events. It is important to check with your insurance provider as there may be differences in coverage and requirements depending on the policy. Additionally, adding a young adult to your plan could impact premiums and cost-sharing responsibilities so it's important to consider these factors before finalizing any decision.
Generally speaking, you cannot add friends or family who are not dependent on you to your health plan. Furthermore, domestic partners may not be eligible for some policies so it’s important to check with your insurance provider before trying to add them. Additionally, some health plans also restrict what kind of relatives and dependents can be covered so it’s important to read the guidelines carefully before deciding who you will add.
How Long Can Dependents Stay on Health Insurance
Generally speaking, dependents who are young adults can stay on health insurance plans until they reach the age of 26, according to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You can remain on your parent's health insurance plan even if you move elsewhere, get married, aren't claimed as a tax dependent by your parents and are eligible for employer-coverage at a job, etc. If your parent's coverage is through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, then you can remain on the plan through Dec. 31of the year you turn 26 instead of losing coverage the moment you turn 26. Additionally, some plans may allow for longer coverage if the dependent is disabled or if their employer does not offer any type of health coverage. Don't forget to read the policy details thoroughly.
Why Should You Add Someone as a Dependent for Health Insurance?
Adding someone as a dependent to your health insurance plan can be beneficial for both you and the dependent. It can help reduce costs, as the premiums are often lower if you add a dependent to your plan. Additionally, it can provide vital coverage and access to medical services that the dependent would not otherwise have. Similarly, adding a dependent may make them eligible for additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage or hospitalization. Finally, it provides peace of mind, knowing that you are responsible for providing necessary care should something happen to them.
What Is a Claimed Dependent?
A claimed dependent is an individual that relies on someone else for care and financial support. When it comes to health insurance, a claimed dependent most often refers to children who are under 26 years old. However, there are various other circumstances where an individual can be considered a dependent despite not being someone’s child.
A person can be considered a qualifying dependent under the following criteria:
- They do not provide more than half of their own financial support during the tax year.
- They do not have an income higher than the designated exemption amount.
- They are not listed as a dependent for more than one individual.
- They have a relationship with the health insurance policy holder.
It is possible for a policyholder to claim an adult dependent. Some common examples are parents, siblings or other relatives who are being provided caretaking services for financial or medical reasons. A qualified dependent is eligible to receive benefits under a policy holder’s insurance plan as long as they are listed as a dependent upon enrollment or added later.
Paying for Someone With Your Insurance
Now that it is understood you can add someone to your health insurance plan to give them coverage, and it is clear who qualifies as a dependent, the question still remains whether you can outright cover someone else’s medical expenses with your insurance if they are not listed on your plan. The short, simple answer is “No”. However, let's dive a little deeper into the legality behind paying for someone else's care with your insurance.
We know that if you have a spouse, they can be added to receive coverage. The question then comes up about those with domestic partners or if you have a "common-law marriage". First of all, check with your specific state to learn more about laws surrounding common-law marriages as they have their own cutoff date to be added to your insurance policy. For domestic partnerships, you also need to check with your specific state of residence to see how they enforce those laws.
If you want to pay for someone you are not in a legal relationship with, it is currently impossible to do so without breaking the law, as it is considered a matter of health insurance fraud. Health insurance fraud occurs when you have the insurance company pay for someone who is not listed under the policy. It is also considered fraudulent if you use your insurance to cover someone else's prescription costs.
If you want to help a friend or relative who does not live with you receive health care treatment, you can do so by gifting them your own money to help pay for expenses. You cannot utilize the insurance company for that.
Using Your Own Health Insurance Plan
Health insurance can be a tricky thing to understand. So if you want to get the most out of your health care plan, it is important that you understand your plan as well as possible by going over your plan’s details. Each insurance company has its own set of rules concerning how you receive care, so you should be sure to research.
Before you agree to sign up for an insurance plan, it is important to see the stipulations, like whether you can choose any doctor or hospital for care, whether the plan includes vision or dental benefits, and what you will have to pay into the plan. A crucial component of figuring out how to use your health insurance deals with determining what your actual cost will be for coverage, and how much your insurance company will cover. You should pay attention to the required deductible, your monthly premium and your required copay for various medical services.
Find the Best Health Insurance For You and Your Claimed Dependents
If you have a dependent or dependents to include on your insurance plan, it is critical that you find a plan that works best for your circumstances and your budget. Fortunately, FirstQuote Health allows you to compare health insurance plans to explore options and determine which plans best fit your needs. Get started today by comparing plans in your area and receiving a free quote.