Dependent coverage under group insurance must extend until the dependent turns what age?

Under Connecticut law, dependent coverage under group health insurance plans must extend until the dependent reaches the age of 26. This requirement reflects changes in federal law under the Affordable Care Act, which mandates that young adults be allowed to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they turn 26 years old. This provision applies regardless of the dependent's marital status, financial independence, or whether they live with their parents.

This policy ensures that young adults have access to necessary health coverage during a critical transitional phase in their lives, such as finishing college, starting careers, or establishing their own households. By allowing coverage up to age 26, the law helps to alleviate the burden of healthcare costs for young individuals who may not yet have their own health insurance or may struggle to afford it on their own.