Student Health Insurance

Advantages of Student Health Insurance

No one should go without health care coverage, regardless of age or current health condition. An accident, injury or illness can happen to anyone, including those who are studying and working hard at colleges across the U.S.  Given the rising costs of health insurance, it’s more important than ever for parents of college students to research, compare and ultimately select a plan that provides appropriate coverage at an affordable price.

Here are several reasons why parents should consider a student health insurance plan:

• Health Benefits – Health and wellness are critical components to academic success. Insured students have access to preventive care services, which can help maintain overall health and wellness and can potentially detect problems at an early stage. Student health plans typically offer 100 percent coverage for preventive care obtained at an in-network provider. Remember, the primary purpose of student health insurance is to keep students healthy and in school so they can graduate and realize their life and career goals.
• Cost Benefits – Student plans available through colleges or universities often provide benefits that are more affordable than comparable plans on the open market, but with the added benefit of being coordinated with the student health services available on campus. These plans are usually less expensive because of the favorable age and health demographic of college students, and often have significantly lower deductibles thereby reducing out of pocket expenses. In some cases, parents will find that purchasing a student plan for their child is less expensive than adding their child to their employer’s plan – especially a high deductible plan or a plan that doesn’t include in-network providers close to campus. In addition, the premiums parents pay for dependent coverage on their plan are often higher than the monthly costs of a student plan.
• National Network of Providers – Many student health plans include a national network of health care providers and pharmacies, providing coverage regardless of the distance from campus or home. Plans are aligned with the benefits of their college’s student health services for accessible on-campus care. If needed, a student health service can refer students to the appropriate off campus in-network provider for more extensive or ongoing care.
• Plans for Students – Colleges customize their student health plans to best meet the needs of their student body and can elect to provide coverage for a wide range of services, such as doctor office visits, preventive care, prescription drugs, accidental injury, hospitalization and/or outpatient surgery and diagnostic benefits. Because these plans are made for students, they are typically geared to work hand-in-hand with the campus student health center.

The advantages of student health insurance plans make them an affordable, quality alternative to more expensive traditional plans for full-time, part-time, international and graduate students. For more information about the student health insurance plan at your college or university, select your school from the lists above.