Young adults have the highest and fastest growing uninsured rate in the United States. Recent data from Connecticut’s Office of Health Care Access indicate that young adults are more likely to be uninsured in Connecticut, as well (22 percent of adults 19 to 29 in CT were uninsured at the time of the survey). The high rate of uninsured young adults is the result of limited access to affordable health insurance plans
Beginning in January 2009, young adults will have a new option for health insurance coverage. A new law will permit parents to continue coverage under the parent’s individual or group health insurance plan for unmarried dependents up to age 26, regardless of whether the young adult is attending college. In addition, the Charter Oak Health Plan, a state-sponsored plan, is now available to uninsured adults, ages 19 to 64. The brief makes several recommendations for improving health insurance coverage among young adults.
