Interactive healthcare lesson · about 8 minutes
One household can use several kinds of health coverage.
Age, work, household members, and income can send each person down a different path. Learn the map before estimating the cost.
Coverage may change as work ends and people reach Medicare age.
- Work or retiree planUse it while it remains available
- Marketplace insuranceMay help bridge years before Medicare
- MedicareEligibility usually begins at age 65
Under age 19Screen for Medicaid or CHIP.
Ages 19–25May stay on a parent's health plan.
Start with people—not policies
Who needs coverage during the same year?
A household does not always move into Medicare together. Age 19 and age 26 are important healthcare turning points, so separate younger children from young adult dependents.
Employer, retiree, spouse, COBRA, private, Marketplace—or Medicaid when eligible.
Employer or Marketplace coverage—or a separate Medicaid/CHIP result under state rules.
Rules and limits change
Verify with the program that makes the decision.
The planner and lesson are educational estimates. These official sources determine coverage and assistance.