Under the Affordable Care Act, how is the eligibility of a dependent child determined?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the eligibility of a dependent child for coverage is determined primarily by age. Under the ACA, young adults can remain on their parents' health insurance plans until they reach the age of 26. This provision allows them to have medical coverage even if they are no longer living with their parents, are not financially dependent on their parents, or are eligible for other employer-sponsored insurance.

This age limit is significant as it ensures that young adults, often in transitional phases of life—such as attending college, starting a first job, or looking for work—can have access to necessary health care without the burden of independent insurance costs at an age when they may still be financially dependent.

Other factors like the parents' employment length, the income level of the child, and the marital status do not play a role in determining the eligibility of a dependent child under this particular provision of the ACA. The focus remains strictly on age as a criterion, emphasizing the importance of accessibility to healthcare for young individuals in their early adult years.