Savanna Hoffman
The cost of medical care in the United States is extremely high, and many doctors won't see patients without insurance. While there is no longer a federal rule requiring individuals to have health insurance, some states still have coverage mandates. Most colleges and universities require students to have health insurance, and many offer affordable campus policies tailored for students. These plans typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000 per academic year and are usually included in a student's tuition bill. Students can opt out of their school's health plan by providing proof of comparable coverage, such as through their family's health plan. Staying on a parent's plan is generally the best option, but it's important to consider the details of the plan, such as whether it has in-network providers in the area where the student will be attending college.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student health insurance cost | $2,000 to $4,000 for the academic year |
| Student health insurance mandate | Most colleges and universities require their students to carry health insurance coverage |
| Opting out of student health insurance | Students can opt out of their student health plans and purchase health insurance elsewhere |
| Student health insurance coverage | Student health plans cover up to 3 million people in the U.S. |
| Student health fee | The Student Health Fee is the operational funding for all campus health programs |
| Parent's health insurance | Students can stay on their parent's health insurance plan until they are 26 |
| Affordable Care Act (ACA) | ACA plans are comprehensive and must cover essential health benefits |
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What You'll Learn
Student health plans: Opting into a school's health plan
If your school offers a student health plan, enrolling in it can be an easy and affordable way to get basic insurance coverage. However, this is not mandatory and you can still apply for coverage through the Marketplace. Depending on your income, family size, and location, you might qualify for lower costs. Your next steps depend on your age and whether you are listed as a dependent on someone else's taxes, such as your parent's taxes.
If you are under 26, you can stay on your parent's plan or apply for coverage with them. Before you decide to stay on a parent's plan, carefully review the plan's coverage documents and provider network to understand what the plan covers in the state you attend school. If your school is far away from your parent's home, their insurance may not cover medical services provided to you while you are away at school. In this case, you may want to apply for coverage yourself in the state you attend school. Even if you apply on your own, you will still need to include information about your parent and their income when asked if someone will claim you as a dependent when filing federal income taxes. Being claimed as a dependent means their income affects your eligibility for savings on your Marketplace plan.
If you have a "fully insured" student health plan, the plan must cover all 10 essential benefits, including ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services, and chronic disease management. Fully insured plans must also offer contraceptives without cost-sharing. However, if the student health plan is "self-insured," it might not be required to cover essential health benefits.
If you lose your student coverage outside of Open Enrollment (November 1 - January 15 each year), you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, a period of time outside of Open Enrollment when you can enroll in or change Marketplace plans so that your parent can add you to their plan. You won't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you choose to drop your student coverage.
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Parental health insurance: Staying on a parent's plan until 26
Students can often access health insurance through their school, which can be an easy and affordable way to get basic insurance coverage. However, even if you have access to a student health plan, you can still apply for coverage through the Marketplace. Depending on your income, family size, and location, you might qualify for lower costs.
If you are a dependent, you can stay on your parent's health insurance plan until you turn 26. In some states, you can stay on their plan for longer. If you are losing your parent's coverage, you can get a plan from healthcare.gov, or, if you qualify, you might get insurance through your employer, an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plan, a catastrophic health insurance plan, or Medicaid.
If your parent's insurance covers dependents, you can usually be added to their plan and stay on it until you turn 26. If your parent pays the full cost of their Marketplace plan without a tax credit, you can be included on their application and plan, even if they don't claim you as a tax dependent. You can apply for coverage with your parent or stay on their plan if you're 26 or under. Before you decide, read the plan's coverage documents and review the provider network carefully so you know what the plan covers in the state you attend school.
If you are a student under 30, you may be able to buy an additional health insurance plan option called a minimum coverage plan (also known as a catastrophic plan). If your school offers a student health plan, enrolling in it can be a good option. However, if the student health plan is “self-insured,” it might not be required to cover essential health benefits.
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Private insurance: Purchasing an individual health plan
Students have a variety of options when it comes to health insurance. Depending on their income, students may be eligible for tax credits to help pay for a private health plan or receive low- or no-cost insurance. If a student has a "fully insured" student health plan, the plan must cover all 10 essential benefits, including emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and rehabilitative services. However, if the student health plan is "self-insured," it might not be required to cover essential health benefits.
Students can opt out of their student health plans and purchase private health insurance. When purchasing an individual health plan, it is important to consider the costs and benefits of the plan, as well as any exclusions and limitations. Some things to look out for include coverage for vision care, prescription drugs, and mental health services. It is also important to review the provider network to ensure that the plan covers services in the state where the student attends school.
There are several companies that offer individual health plans, including Cigna Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. Cigna offers plans in several states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. They provide virtual urgent care, preventive care visits, and access to their Patient Assurance Program. UnitedHealthcare offers short-term and ACA Marketplace plans, as well as supplemental plans to boost coverage. Aetna provides individual and family health insurance benefits, including medical benefits, drug coverage, and extra benefits beyond Original Medicare.
It is worth noting that open enrollment for health insurance plans typically occurs once a year, usually in the fall. This is the most common time to get a health insurance plan, but short-term insurance or Medicaid can be obtained at any time during the year. Additionally, students may be able to stay on their parent's plan until the coverage ends on December 31 of the year they turn 26.
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Affordability: Cost of health insurance for students
Affordability is a key concern for students when it comes to health insurance. The cost of health insurance can vary depending on several factors, and there are a number of options available to students to ensure they can access affordable coverage.
Firstly, many universities and colleges offer health insurance to students through campus health plans. This type of coverage is often called a "student health plan" or "campus health insurance". The cost of these plans typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per academic year and is usually included in a student's tuition fees. Students should be aware that there may be additional charges for care at student health clinics, and that the level of coverage can vary, with some plans offering comprehensive coverage and others providing limited benefits with high deductibles.
Students can also consider remaining on their parent's health insurance plan. In most states, children can stay on their parent's plan until they turn 26 years old. This can often be a more affordable option than purchasing a separate plan, although it is important to review the coverage documents carefully, especially if the student is attending school in a different state, as some services may not be covered.
For students who are unable to get insurance through their parents or their college, each state offers a health insurance exchange or marketplace where consumers can purchase health insurance. Depending on income, family size, and location, students may qualify for lower costs or tax credits to help pay for a private health plan. In some cases, students may even be eligible for low- or no-cost insurance through government programs such as Medicaid or CHIP.
Additionally, specific health insurance plans are designed for various types of students, including college, international, and graduate students, to help protect them from expensive medical bills. These plans may offer benefits such as copays, coinsurance, or discounts on certain appointments, prescriptions, and treatments.
It is important to note that the cost of health insurance can depend on several factors, including age, health, and income. Students should carefully review the details of each health insurance plan they are considering, as coverage can vary significantly from plan to plan.
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Requirements: Mandatory health insurance for students
Health insurance is often mandatory for college students. While many colleges and universities offer affordable health plans, these plans may provide limited coverage. If you’re a college student, you may qualify for different types of health insurance depending on your age and circumstances.
Student health plans
If your school offers a student health plan, enrolling in it can be an easy and affordable way to get basic insurance coverage. However, even if you have access to a student health plan, you can still apply for coverage through the Marketplace. Based on your income, family size, and location, you might qualify for lower costs.
Dependent on parents' insurance
If you are a dependent on your parents' taxes, you can stay on their insurance plan until you turn 26. However, if you attend school in a different state, your parents' insurance may not cover medical services provided to you while you are away at school. In this case, only emergency services may be covered.
Other options
Depending on your income and circumstances, you may be able to find health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, or a spouse’s health plan. Students may also be able to purchase health insurance through Covered California, and may receive tax credits or low- or no-cost insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Most colleges and universities require students to have health insurance, but you can opt out of student health plans and purchase health insurance elsewhere.
Student health insurance can cost between $2,000 to $4,000 per academic year.
Yes, you can stay on your parents' plan until you are 26. However, their insurance provider might not have in-network providers in your college location.
Student health insurance is tailored for students and can be an easy and affordable way to get basic insurance coverage.
Depending on your income and circumstances, you may be able to find health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, or a spouse's health plan.
