Student Health Insurance Options

Preparing students to send outside to an upcountry university is one 'big ask' for parents which you can never ignore. Running around to organize education loan, filing application within the stipulated date and organizing his or her stay, if on campus accommodation isn't available etc. It is here that most parents make a mistake of wrongly assuming that their health is taken care off by family healthcare insurance.

Although some insurers cover dependent children for their health needs up to 23 years, there are not many policies and insurers who extend the cover beyond 18 years. What is more, for students even going to out of state high schools, the cover may continue only at an increased premium or not at all for the additional fees they are forced to pay physicians outside their network.

There are cheaper options

Fortunately for students, there are cheaper options, if they look around.

1. University or the college health cover plans
2. Private insurance corporations
3. Student organizations like the American College Student Association (ACSA)

Insurance plans offered by universities are fixed in nature, covering university sponsored healthcare and will not be available with preexisting conditions. These are simple policies and less expensive too.

Insurance from private parties is a better option as they are cheaper and cover wider ranging problems too (policy maximum $1,000,000.) Moreover private insurers are networked nationwide giving you freedom to choose a university of your choice. Point to note here is policies are available even for short terms like 6 months and 12 months, which of course are not renewable.

Student organizations focus on short-term health covers and abroad study, which appeals to students who wish to study abroad.

Check these points before you buy a policy

Not all student health covers are alike. So, make it a point to check some points of pertinence before you buy an insurance.

• Will it allow low cost medical attention available on campus?
• Does it allow emergency attention without prior permission? If not, what are my options?
• Does the policy restrict me to a particular doctor or is it my prerogative to choose a doctor?
• Will the policy exclude preexisting conditions?
• What about summer vacations? Does it still cover my health then?

However, you have a few more points on your side like how long do I need insurance, how does it compare with other options etc. It is better be safer than be sorry.