Health Insurance in College
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Most college students don’t consider health insurance a priority with all the other bills they have to deal with. If you neglect having suitable insurance, it can not only lead to serious health consequences, but also can ruin your financial life. A visit to the ER can average $361- $1262 according Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. In Florida an ER visit can be just under $1900!
Photo Credit: Kuby!
I don’t know many college students and recently graduated students that can afford that. About.com has a really good overview on how to maintain health insurance when you’re in college and when you graduate.
- One option for you if you’re 24 and under is to remain on your parent’s plan. This would increase their bill, but if you can pay your portion, you can get a reasonably good health insurance policy for a better price. If your parents are offering to pay, then thank them for providing some protection incase of an emergency.
- Some universities offer a discounted health care plan for full time students. UNC has such a program. A call to your health services department can tell you if this is an option. All the universities I know offer a clinic for students on routine check ups and minor health problems.
- See if your job offers any health benefits. If you’re part-time, it may not be possible, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
- Another option is getting a limited health care plan. While it might help with some basic visits, the lower premiums usually means getting less coverage. Still, it’s an option for those trying to make ends meet.
E-healthinsurance is a site that allows you to compare prices of different policies. Keep in mind while you are no doubt looking at the price; don’t let that be you’re only guide. If you’re paying a low price, but get nothing in return, then you’re losing money. Look at the deductibles and co pays. As with every other policy, please read the fine print.
Do you have health insurance now? How did you get it? Do you know another way to get health coverage while still in school?
This is an updated post from July 07.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Might not necessarily be possible for the college student, but there’s a lot of high-deductible plans that are VERY low cost. If you can get on one of those and your parents could contribute to the associated Health Savings Account (on your behalf, to cover the yearly deductible), you could kill two birds with one stone. Get coverage, AND start an investment plan.
Since most college-age people are fairly healthy, the major use of health insurance is for accidents. Having the High Deductible account and the HSA covers that, and allows the student to start EARLY on a medical investment at the same time.
The only drawback would be paying out of pocket for either 1) routine small medical expenses (check-ups, etc). 2) recurring prescription drugs.
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Thanks Randall! I didn’t even consider that. I had a short term plan for a bit. I’m now on my husband’s plan, which helps out enormously.
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I used the University’s reduced health insurance plan when I was in college. All visits to the on-campus clinics were paid for, and I had my wisdom teeth pulled at a greatly reduced rate too.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Great job on getting the discount.I never had any dental work done by my university, but I did go to the clinic. I found that they were 20% the cost of a normal doctor’s office.