Can I include my parents in my health benefits at the hospital?

[chariot]

I am working part-time as a NA with benefits for a big hospital. I still live with my parents while working and going to school. My parents work, but cannot afford health insurance. They work for a company, but that company does not offer insurance because the employees work as self-pay. However, after the tax and all the deductions, my parents cannot afford insurance. Is there any way I can include them in my benefits? I know I have to pay extra. I'm willing to do that.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

To return to the OP's original question, no you cannot claim your parents as dependents. The concept of a "dependent" will be important for you to understand and keep in mind as you continue to make decisions related to health care and other employer-provided benefits, taxes and other financial situations. Here's a link with some simply worded definitions.

Qualifying Relatives - Tax Laws for Claiming Qualifying Relatives as a Dependent

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Haha, never heard it called RomneyCare before...we just call it MassHealth=P

MassHealth and RomneyCare are not the same thing. MassHealth is Medicaid. RomneyCare is the 2006 Massachusetts health care insurance reform law.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Quote from NewbieNeedsHelp

I'm in mass but if ur state is anything like mine there should be a state ran low income option

Massachusetts has RomneyCare. So until that provision of ObamaCare goes into effect, there's not going to be similar options for the rest of us in the continental U.S. (I believe Hawaii has some good options for healthcare as well.)

I think that provision is going into effect in either 2013 or 2014, can't remember off the top of my head for sure though.

Actually, the low-cost option that the OP's parents should qualify for is called "Medicaid," and although we here in the Commonwealth are justifiably proud of our care of children, the disabled, and the elderly, every state has it to some extent. In a few years, everyone in the US will do as well.

[Marshall1]

Ask the benefits dept. of the hospital you work at. Don't think you will be able to but ask anyway.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

The only way to know for certain is to ask your HR dept. Be sure that you speak to someone who specifically deals with insurance benefits.

I was able to get my hubby and step-kids on my insurance before we were married...he qualified as a LDA (legally domiciled adult) and since he qualified for coverage, his kids did as well. Perhaps if there's a similar clause in your insurance you could get at least one of your parents covered.

Other option...talk to a social worker or case manager at your facility for advice on trying to get them Medicare or Medicaid coverage, depending on their age. It may go nowhere, your parents may be stuck between a rock and a hard place, but at least you'll know that all options have been exhausted.