Members of the “Sandwiches Generation”, adult children who care for their older parents and at the same time raise their own children, often face complicated financial challenges, especially when it comes to medical care. And navigate the US Medical Care System. Uu. You can want to be trapped in a maze, especially when you have what it seems to be a simple question: can I add my parents to my medical care plan?

If he wonders if he can extend his coverage to one or both of his parents, he is probably not surprised to know that the answer is complicated.

“The greatest obstacle when it comes to adding parents to their medical care plan is the research required to determine if their situation allows coverage,” says Jan Stone, an independent patient defender certified by the Board in Austin, Texas. “There is no mandate that requires health plans to offer coverage to parents. Therefore, discover that it will require a large proactive excavation on its part.” This is what adult children need to know about adding their parents to their health insurance policy.

Medicare and Medicaid options

The first factor has to do with the age of your parents. Are 65 or more? If so, they are eligible for Medicare. “Being eligible (for Medicare) will deny your ability to be in your plan,” says Stone. “In this situation, you can support them financially paying their cousin.”

Medicare and Medigap

Medicare part A, which is hospital insurance, will be free for people who worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. But part B, which covers visits to a medical care provider, preventive services and more, has a premium.

Stone also recommends observing a policy of prescription drugs and a Medicare supplements insurance policy (Medigap). “They collect the costs that Medicare does not cover, and the savings (they are) huge,” she says. “Not many people know that Medicare does not have a maximum pocket. The expense continues. The supplement will help greatly.”

I will medical

Even if their parents are under 65, they can still receive Medicare, depending on their health status. A person can describe to Medicar will early if he has a renal disease in the terminal stage or if he has received benefits of social security disability for 24 months, for example.

Disease insurance

If their parents are under 65 years old and low -income, they can qualify for free or low -cost cost coverage. Eligibility requirements vary according to the State.

Unfortunately, 2.2 million low -income people in 12 states who have not adopted the expansion of Medicaid fall into what is called a coverage gap. People in the gap have an income that is below the poverty threshold, but do not qualify for Medicaid or Premium subsidies under market insurance.

Add a father to your plan

If their parents are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, then it is time to verify the rules to add them to their plan. If you have a private health plan sponsored by the employer, your human resources department will be a good resource, says Stone.

“The criteria may include things like your parents who live with you, be claimed in your tax declaration as a dependent, or the adult child is financially responsible for parents,” explains Stone.

If you buy a plan through the market, you can only include a father in your policy if you affirm that the father depends on his tax declaration. However, before changing your fiscal situation, be sure to verify the cost of buying your parents your own policy through the market. Their income can qualify them for subsidies.

When to add parents to your plan

In general, health insurance companies allow adding dependents to a plan during the open registration period of the policy. Open registration generally extends from November to the end of the calendar year, with coverage from the New Year.

In some cases, you can add dependent to a plan at other times during the year, with an effective coverage. “If the father recently lost coverage, such as the death of a spouse or the loss of employment, he can qualify for a special registration period outside the open registration period,” says Les Masterson, insurance analyst.

When to consult a lawyer

If you have difficulty finding affordable medical care coverage for your parents, Stone recommends consulting an elderly care lawyer. “Her work is to protect the legal and financial situation of the elderly,” she says. “They can address needs, such as patrimonial planning, Medicaid applications (which can take months), long -term care, protection and other legal matters.” She recommends looking for a lawyer looking for recommendations from family or trusted friends.

Although wading through the jargon of the insurance policy and the bureaucracy can be frustrating, Stone has this message like a slap on the back to do so: “Congratulations to those who take care of their parents or older people who care.”