If you are the parent of a college student who is no longer covered
under your insurance plan, you may wonder if they need student health
insurance. After all, we usually think of people in their late teens
and early 20’s as being very healthy. But, what if your child is in an
accident, is diagnosed with a disease or he or she contracts a
debilitating illness? Any one of these situations could ruin your
family financially, so why take a chance with your family finances.
Most
college students who are enrolled in college for at least nine credit
hours are eligible to apply for student health insurance. There are
plans for those enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate school.
Usually, plans will require that the student attend an accredited
college or university. In some cases, the college itself may provide
student health insurance as either a part of the tuition or something
supplemental for which a student may apply if needed. This may be a
group insurance plan, where the school or an organization within the
school offers health or travel insurance to the students. Because it is
a group plan, it is usually more affordable than traditional insurance
plans and you will not need to take a physical or fill out a health
questionnaire.
Other types of plans available include
short-term medical insurance for students who are studying in the
United States for up to a year, international student health plans for
both non-US and US citizens, and travel insurance for students who are
only traveling outside the US for a brief period of time.
When
you start looking at plans for your college age child, be sure to read
all that is available with the plan. Some may offer only
hospitalization while some will also offer doctor visits. Some may or
may not include dental and vision visits. If you want those included in
the student health insurance plan, you may find your premiums (the
monthly amount you pay) is higher.