Help finding health insurance for an “adult” child who can’t be claimed as a dependent on income tax return

Going to try to keep this concise. Husband (69) is retired, has a pension, Social Security/Medicare. I (61) “retired” after my position was eliminated – small pension, no SS. We have a 21 year old daughter who lives at home. We provide all of her financial support. She has been in treatment for a debilitating anxiety disorder ever since she first attempted suicide at age 13. She isn’t working right now and attends community college part-time.

For 18 months I paid (a lot) for COBRA, and as she was under age 26 I could continue to keep her on my policy. (Thank god, otherwise her treatment/hospitalizations would have bankrupted us.)

But not anymore. COBRA is ending as of 2/28. I found decent health insurance for myself on the government marketplace and will be getting about $300/month in tax credits to help pay for it. But because she is over age 18 and doesn’t meet the IRS criteria for being a dependent on our tax return, she has to get her own individual policy. When we applied for eligibility in the marketplace we found out that she doesn’t qualify for any tax credits (because she technically has zero income) and so her premiums are really high.

I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified to let her coverage lapse. We live in Kansas. If anyone has any advice at all I would be so grateful!

submitted by /u/B-Cerre-us
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See also  Confused about eligibility