Student Health Insurance

The health care needs of students are unique – often times, you may be caught between being covered as a dependant on your parents’ health insurance and having a job that offers you health benefits. Your needs for healthcare and saving money are a priority since a student’s finances are often limited. If you are uninsured and suffer an injury or illness, the costs can be quite excessive. Student health insurance doesn’t have to break your budget though – there are a number of affordable options that will offer you comprehensive health coverage.

Student Health Insurance - coverage options will vary depending on the insurance company, but you should review coverage options for:

Doctors’ fees associated with office visit
Hospital room and board
Expenses for surgical procedures
Costs associated with treatment for illness or injury

Familiarize yourself with the types of plans available – including physician networks where you need to visit a doctor that has agreed to pre-negotiated rates, or non-network plans where you can choose any physician, but pay a higher rate. The options should be thoroughly researched, as what is best for one college student may not suit another. If you anticipate traveling back and forth between your home town and where you attend college, a non-network (indemnity plan) may work best because you have coverage for any physician.

Since students travel between school and home, the need for flexible student health insurance is a must. With a student health insurance plan that travels with you, you can be assured that you will have coverage while at college or when visiting your parents. Student health plans also provide coverage throughout the year, so the coverage doesn’t end just because the school year is over.