Health Benefits for Young Adults (18-29)

Who this is for:

Young adults whose parent has a plan that allows dependent coverage.

What you get:

• You can usually stay on the plan until age 26 even if you are married, not in school, or not living at home.
• This can give you time to keep steady coverage while you work, study, or figure out your next insurance option.
• The biggest risk is waiting too long to plan for what happens when that coverage ends.

What to do right now:

Compare Medi-Cal and Covered California about 60 days before the parent plan ends so you do not get stuck uninsured.

Who this is for:

Adults 19-64 with low enough income, including many part-time workers, students, and people who live with family.

What you get:

• Medi-Cal can cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, vision, and mental health care.
• Many young adults qualify even when they work part time or live with parents.
• This can be the lowest-cost option for many people in this age group.

What to do right now:

Apply instead of guessing, because many people qualify when they think they do not.

Who this is for:

Young adults who make too much for Medi-Cal and need individual coverage.

What you get:

• You may qualify for premium tax credits that lower the monthly price.
• Some people can save money with Silver plans that come with extra help on deductibles and copays.
• People under 30 may also see catastrophic coverage, which has a lower monthly cost but higher use costs.

What to do right now:

Compare total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium, before choosing a plan.

Who this is for:

College students choosing between campus plans, Medi-Cal, and Covered California.

What you get:

• Campus plans can be convenient because they often work well with on-campus care.
• Medi-Cal can be the cheapest option if you can use providers where you live and study.
• Covered California can be a good middle option if you do not qualify for Medi-Cal.

What to do right now:

Check where you will actually get care this semester before waiving any campus coverage.

Who this is for:

Young adults with DACA or no lawful status.

What you get:

• In 2026, many adults 19 and older without satisfactory immigration status can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal.
• DACA recipients also cannot use Covered California right now.
• If you already have Medi-Cal, protecting that coverage is often the most important step.

What to do right now:

Renew on time if you already have Medi-Cal so you do not lose coverage you may still keep.

Who this is for:

Young adults who need birth control, STI testing, abortion care, or related services.

What you get:

• California plans generally cover contraception and abortion care.
• Some people can get no-cost reproductive care through Family PACT even without full insurance.
• This can be one of the fastest ways to get care when cost is the biggest barrier.

What to do right now:

Go straight to a Family PACT provider if cost is the main barrier to getting care.

Who this is for:

People with unstable income and no employer benefits.

What you get:

• You may qualify for Medi-Cal if your income is low enough.
• If your income is higher, Covered California may offer subsidies based on what you expect to earn this year.
• When your income changes a lot, keeping your estimate updated can save you money later.

What to do right now:

Update your income when work changes so you do not overpay or owe money back later.