How to pick health insurance for college students
Why college students need health insurance
Whether you rarely interact with the medical system or you have a chronic medical condition, having health insurance helps you pay for the care you need. It's one less worry and supports your ability to remain financially stable through school.
No matter what type of plan you choose, it's important for students to have health coverage so you can focus on your studies and enjoy your college experience without worry.
Health insurance options for college students
If the doctors and medications you'll need in college aren't covered by your parent's plan, you can opt for a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. You may be eligible for subsidies to help cover the cost based on income.
Enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace is only open once a year, typically from November 1 to January 15.
In most cases, you can remain on your parent's health insurance plan until you're 26 years old. If your parent loses coverage, you'll likely qualify for a special enrollment period to sign up for a health plan outside of the annual open enrollment.
Check to make sure doctors near your college are in-network, otherwise your care may cost more. If you're going to study abroad, contact the insurance provider to confirm coverage and any additional information you may need to know if an emergency occurs.
Your college likely offers these plans through an insurance company, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), to provide coverage that fits your needs.
These plans are unique to college students and the colleges they're attending. Enrollment for these is typically at the start of the fall and spring semesters.
Finding the right plan for you
Make sure any plan you choose has a good selection of doctors and hospitals close to your college.
While many campuses offer student health centers, the centers may not be in-network for the family plan. So check what doctors and facilities are in-network to avoid higher medical costs.
The cost of a plan's monthly premium is just one expense when looking at health insurance. There are other factors to consider when thinking about your total cost.
Deductibles, copayments, and coverage for prescription medications are other important factors to weigh because these will also add up to the full cost of your plan.
Think about the medications, specialists, or types of medical care you are most likely to need. For example, access to mental health professionals may be important to you or you might regularly need to see a specialist for a chronic condition.
Evaluate your health needs and risks and make sure you understand the coverage of each plan before making a decision.
