<prompt> Human: My company is offering insurance for the start of next year, but i dont turn 26 until september. Does it make more sense to just wait until then to apply for health insurance? If i enroll in health insurance next year by september, does that mean im not covered until the following year?  <response>: Talk to your parents. If they will be purchasing a family plan for 2017 anyway, then you may be covered at no extra premium cost. Turning 26 is a qualifying event, which means that it allows you to purchase a new insurance plan mid-year, so you can decide to join your employers plan in September of 2017. 