A number of researches reveal the fact that about 30% college students in US don’t have any type of health insurance. It means that about 4 million college students need to pay for their health care needs. Studies also reveal that many students have to drop out of school in order to work and pay off their medical bills. Therefore, health insurance is an absolute necessity for you if you’re in college. Go through the following lines to know about college student health insurance plans, in details.
Conditions for purchasing college student health insurance
College students can purchase health insurance plans if they satisfy any of the following conditions.
- They are either graduates or married students
- Students who are no longer covered under their parents’ health insurance
- Domestic students traveling abroad
- Students who are in need of temporary coverage
- Students who are in a transition phase, i.e., a phase between college and workplace
Types of college student health insurance plans
Most universities and colleges offer their own student health insurance plans. Usually, these college student health insurance plans are reasonably priced and the enrollees need to access hospitals and doctors that are near their educational institution. It is ideal for those who are attending a college that is far away from their home.
However, college students can also get health coverage benefits under some other health insurance plans, which are described below.
1.Short term health insurance:
You can buy short term insurance policy to cover your health insurance needs while you’re in college. It may be your ideal choice if you’re a recent college graduate and you’ll remain uninsured for a short period. It can cover your expensive medical bills and necessary treatments until you get a long-term coverage through an employer.
2.COBRA health insurance:
If you’re more than 25 and still attending school or you’ve you decided to discontinue school after the age of 18, then you’re most likely to lose health insurance coverage that your parents carry for you. However, by utilizing the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), you can temporarily continue to receive the health insurance coverage benefits that your parents carry for you. However, make sure to ask the insurance agent whether or not you can get coverage on your parents’ health insurance plan.
3.Staying with parents’ health insurance plan:
In most cases, you’re entitled to receive coverage benefits under your parents’ health insurance plan if you’re between 19 and 25 years of age. It helps you to cover your health insurance needs while you’re in college. However, your parents should check it with their agent in order to make sure that you’re covered under their policy.
4.Individual health insurance plan:
You need to purchase individual health insurance if you’re not covered under your parents’ policy. You can also purchase it if you don’t get any group health care through your employer. However, the premium for individual health insurance is much higher than that of group health insurance.
Before purchasing any college student health insurance plans, it is advisable that you discuss with an insurance agent in order to know which option suits you the best.