Can I Put My Brother on My Health Insurance?

While spouses and children are typically straightforward additions to a health plan, the process of including other relatives, such as siblings, presents a more complex set of considerations. Understanding the specific criteria for dependent eligibility is essential, as rules vary significantly across different types of health insurance plans.

Defining Health Insurance Dependents

For health insurance purposes, a dependent often aligns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition of a “qualifying relative.” To be considered a qualifying relative, an individual must meet several specific tests:

The relationship test dictates that the person must be related to you in a specific way, which includes siblings, or live with you for the entire year as a member of your household.
The gross income test requires that the dependent’s gross income for the calendar year must be less than a certain threshold, which is $5,050 for 2024 and $5,200 for 2025.
The support test mandates that you must provide more than half of the individual’s total financial support for the year.
The joint return test means the dependent cannot file a joint tax return for the year, with limited exceptions.
The individual cannot be a qualifying child of another taxpayer, ensuring they are not claimed as a dependent by multiple parties.

Coverage for Siblings Across Plan Types

The ability to add a sibling to your health insurance plan heavily depends on the type of insurance coverage you have, even if they meet the IRS criteria for a qualifying relative. Employer-sponsored health plans are generally the most restrictive. These plans primarily extend coverage to the employee, their spouse, and qualifying children, typically those under age 26. While some employer plans may allow for other dependents under specific, rare circumstances, it is uncommon for them to cover adult siblings, even if they are a tax dependent.

In contrast, health plans offered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace often provide more flexibility. If a sibling meets the “qualifying relative” criteria and is claimed as a tax dependent on your federal income tax return, they can typically be included in your household for Marketplace plan eligibility. Financial assistance, such as premium tax credits, is then determined based on the total household income and size, including any tax dependents.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have distinct eligibility rules focused on income and household composition. These programs primarily cover low-income adults, children, and pregnant women. While a sibling might be covered under these programs if they are a minor and you are their legal guardian, or if they meet specific disability criteria, general adult siblings typically do not qualify as dependents unless very specific, stringent conditions are met.

Enrollment and Documentation Requirements

If your sibling is eligible for coverage, the next step involves the enrollment process and providing documentation. For employer-sponsored plans, you would typically contact your human resources department or the plan administrator to inquire about their specific rules for adding dependents outside of the standard spouse and child categories. For ACA Marketplace plans, the process involves including the sibling on your application as a tax dependent.

In either scenario, you will need to provide documentation to verify the sibling’s status as a qualifying relative. Copies of recent federal income tax returns showing the sibling claimed as a dependent are commonly required. Proof of shared residency, such as utility bills or lease agreements, may also be required. Evidence of financial support, such as bank statements or declarations, may be requested.