For various reasons when a child heads off to school they may not be covered under their parents family insurance and will need to pick up coverage under a student health insurance plan in order to have their medical expenses covered. In most instances when a student is attending school full-time they can remain on their parents’ plan until the age of 23, but if they fall to part-time status the coverage usually ends.
When this happens a serious illness can quickly take a toll on the student’s financial stability and in some cases, may even prevent them from receiving immediate health care. While very few emergency centers will turn someone without health insurance away, many doctors will either not accept them as patients unless they can pay the entire bill up front. With student health insurance they can have to option of receiving preventive health care as well as emergency services.
Many colleges and universities work with health insurance companies and develop group plans for students whose parents have no health insurance as well as those who no longer qualify for student health insurance under their parents plans. In most instances it covers basic doctor visits and emergency treatment with a small deductible and co-payment, something most students are able to afford.
Parents Can Provide Student With Coverage
Many times insurance companies will contact a student’s parents with information about student health insurance, giving the parents the option of signing their child up for the plan, as well as making the monthly payments. Otherwise, the plans are offered directly to the student who can make the choice of whether they need the coverage based on their medical history.
The majority of student health insurance plans require the student to remain in full-time status to qualify for discounted rates, however others also offer part-time student health insurance coverage, usually for a higher premium. They may also make other plans available once the student has graduate with their degree. If they continue to post-graduate courses, they can usually remain in the plan.
With students usually being young and healthy, without any pre-existing conditions premiums are typically low for student health insurance, and can be fit into a student’s budget. However, existing conditions may not be covered for a certain time under a new plan, and higher premiums are possible if the student has been uninsured for an extended period prior to signing up for student health insurance.
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