Tips for Purchasing Student Health Insurance

Tips for Purchasing Student Health Insurance

Student health insurance is a protection that many kids going off to college don’t think about. Most of them have never had to deal with insurance or insurance related issues (as those were likely dealt with by their parents), so it is likely to slip their mind – especially with all of the other excitement surrounding them. However, if you are headed off to college, it is best to make sure you have your basics covered, which includes student health insurance. You should begin by knowing the age cutoff limit under your parent’s policy. They may be able to keep you on a family policy until you turn 24 or 25 or leave school, so it is important to know what the rules of their policy are. Below are a few other tips to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing student health insurance.

1. Take on optional International student health insurance when studying abroad, even if you are still covered under your parent’s health insurance policy. This will protect you in case of emergencies while you are away, when your regular insurance probably won’t cover you. Extended travel insurance may also be a suitable option for students studying abroad.
   
2. If you are on your way to college, you might want to look into what is required before you go. There may be recommended vaccinations that you should get, as well as physicals if you are participating in sports. Having health insurance can help out with these costs. Also, if you are participating in higher risk extracurricular activities, confirm whether or not the school will require you to carry insurance.
   
3. Students with serious or long term medical problems should not switch insurances without consulting their doctor first. Your doctor knows you and your history better than anyone else. If you are going to school close to home, you may want to choose a student health insurance policy that will allow you to see your current physician. In order to keep your out of pocket expenses to a minimum, you will need to purchase a policy that includes your physician in their network.
   
4. Consider purchasing supplemental health insurance to cover policy deductibles and other out of pocket expenses. Sometimes going this route can save you some money, despite the additional premiums, especially if you need to use your insurance quite often. Plus you never know what treatments you may need or how much they will cost, so you may not have the money available to cover both the deductibles and co-pays.

Although tempting, it is important that you do not forego student health insurance, even if your college offers free healthcare. Health insurance is an important protection that everyone should have – even young and healthy people. Even if comprehensive coverage is too expensive for you, you can still purchase a plan that will cover an emergency illnesses that you may acquire or injuries that you may sustain.