May 29th, 2025 – This time of year many of Colorado’s college students will be graduating and coming off of their college or university’s health insurance programs. With a tight job market it pays to consider near term health insurance options, as getting onto an employer’s health insurance plan right away is far from a forgone conclusion.
If the college graduate is under age 26 their loss of coverage through the school may be a qualifying event so they can go onto a parent’s employer sponsored group plan. However, the parent will want to check with their company’s HR department to see if and when their child could join the parent’s plan and how much extra that will cost.
Another plan option that may be more affordable is for the recent grad to see if they can qualify for their own individual health insurance plan. If the graduate is no longer claimed as a tax dependent by their parent, they may be eligible for get Premium Tax Credits that reduce the amount that they pay for health insurance each month. If income is quite low, it’s possible they may qualify for free health insurance via Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program.
It is best to check with a reputable local health insurance broker to determine what carrier will have the best value on a suitable plan that meets coverage goals and budgetary requirements. There is no extra cost for using a broker and good brokers will have your best interests at heart.
So long as the graduate has an involuntary loss of health insurance coverage (e.g. loss of Minimum Essential Coverage through their school), Colorado Health Insurance Brokers can help them get their own new coverage, so long as it’s within 60 days of their last day of coverage by the school’s plan.
It is not useful that this was written and published in 2009. Please update site information for users
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. This page has been updated just now and the information is now current. Thank you again!