The Daily Bulletin

The Young Adult Option 2024 open enrollment period for eligible adult children of New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) enrollees is November 30–December 29. NYSHIP allows a young adult child up to age 30 to purchase coverage through his or her parent’s group health insurance policy.

The Young Adult Option is for medical coverage only; dental and vision coverage are not included. Under the law, the young adult’s coverage is subject to all terms of the group policy; however, premiums are to be paid by the young adult or his or her parent, not the employer. The premium is the full cost of individual coverage for the NYSHIP option selected.

Eligibility Criteria
The Young Adult Option is available to young adults who meet all the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a child, adopted child, or stepchild of a NYSHIP enrollee (including those enrolled under COBRA)
• Be age 29 or younger
• Be unmarried
• Not be insured by or eligible for coverage through the young adult’s own employer-sponsored health plan
• Live, work, or reside in New York State or the plan’s service area
• Not be covered under Medicare

In addition, the young adult does not need to live with the parent, be financially dependent on the parent, or be a student. A young adult’s eligibility for health insurance coverage through a former employer under federal COBRA or state continuation coverage does not disqualify the young adult from electing this option under NYSHIP. Children of the young adult are not eligible for coverage under this option but may be eligible for health insurance coverage under other programs, such as the Child Health Plus Program. The young adult’s parent does not need to have family coverage, nor is the young adult required to have been previously covered as a dependent under NYSHIP, to be eligible to enroll.

For more information or to enroll a young adult child, please visit the Department of Civil Service website.