Students Don't Have to Lose Health Insurance on Graduation Day

Graduating college students are being reminded that, under the new Affordable Care Act, they now have the option of remaining on their parents' health insurance plan until their 26^thbirthday.

"Young adults shouldn't have to lose their health insurance on graduation day," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Under the Affordable Care Act, many young adults have more health coverage choices, including the opportunity to stay on their parent's health insurance plan until they are 26 years old."

Sibelius and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are sending letters to college and university presidents as well as student body presidents encouraging them to help spread that information to college students.

It is estimated that approximately 1.2 million young adults may be eligible to stay on their parent's health plan under the new law. In the past, many young adults were removed from their parent's health plan when they graduated from college.

"Americans in their twenties are almost twice as likely to go without health insurance as older adults, making them vulnerable to debt from high medical bills," Duncan said. "We want to work with college and university presidents and campus leaders to ensure more young adults can get the coverage and care they need to stay healthy, even if they are unemployed or looking for a job."

Information for young adults and parents about coverage for individuals under age 26 is available on a Facebook page that can be found at: www.facebook.com/youngadultcoverage.