Before heading off to school, Roskelley recommends that parents and their children check with their insurer about the kind of coverage available, call the school about the kind of health service available there and learn all they can about the health coverage that is available through the school.
With that information, Roskelley says families should be able to decide what option is best for their children while they are in school.
Joe Mondy, a spokesman for Cigna in Chicago, says that families belonging to a national plan might not have any worries about health care for their children.
“In a national plan, like with Cigna, you have access to half a million in-network physicians. Chances are no matter where you go, you’ll find someone in the plan,” says Mondy.
For example, families in the Chicago area would find health care coverage available for their children, even if they were attending school in New York.
“There are lots of regional networks, like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, that cobble together a national network, but it is something you need to look at.
“You need to ask questions during college orientation and pick up whatever insurance information and brochures the college has,” says Mondy. “Even though you can get health insurance through the college, a family health plan is generally cheaper.”
Mondy says most families make sure to provide coverage for their college children but with changes in the insurance industry in recent years, it’s important to ask first. “One thing you need to do is open an online directory and make sure the hospital near the campus is in your insurance network.”
Maryann Schultz, a spokeswoman for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, says parents need to check their policy as their children head back to campus. For families with an HMO, Schultz says they need to see if their policy is a part of the Away From Home Care (AFHC) program.
That program covers emergency medical situations that can’t be delayed until the policyholder returns to their home area.
For children headed to college, Schultz says a PPO is a network that allows any Blue Cross and Blue Shield member to receive in-network services while traveling or living outside their normal service area.
Keith Mendonsa, a consumer health insurance expert for eHealth.com, says health insurance should be one of the first questions parents ask in the college preparation plans for their children.
“Does the insurer work out of a network? If it’s a PPO, there’s a good chance that it does,” says Mendonsa. “An HMO on the other hand only covers emergencies. You might need to look at the private market then.”
Mendonsa says the private market for a healthy college-age person in their early to mid-20s would be that expensive. “You could probably get a policy for $75 a month.
“See what is offered by the school, but those policies often put limits on the benefits and the cost could be astronomical,” says Mendonsa, adding that some could cost upwards of $2,500 a year.
“With the economy the way it is, employers are really increasing the out-of-pocket expense that employees pay. Now, they might not offer certain plans and the deductible is a lot higher,” says Mendonsa.
“Choosing the best health insurance option for incoming 2011-12 students is no simple matter,” says Mendonsa. “Staying on a parent’s health insurance policy isn’t always the best choice. Students and parents alike should be aware of the potential opportunities and imitations presented by individually purchased health insurance plans as well as school-sponsored and student health insurance products.”
Health Insurance Tips for College Students
1. Ask lots of questions during enrollment, not only of school officials but also of your family’s insurance company. Find out what each has to offer so you will know what kind of coverage will be needed.
2. Don’t wait until you’re sick to think about health insurance. Most colleges require students to have health insurance before they enroll. Going uninsured can complicate the enrollment process but if you wait until you’re sick to look for coverage, you may be too late.
3. Consider alternatives to the family’s plan. If you go to school in another state, coverage under a parent’s plan may not be a good idea. Many insurance companies provide coverage only to in-network doctors and hospitals and that won’t be an option for students living out of state.
4. Beware of the fine print on some school-sponsored health plans because they’re not all the same. A serious injury or illness that puts you in the hospital could eat up your coverage in a short time, leaving you or your parents to pay the rest of the bills. Some school policies require you to receive your coverage on campus.
5. Consider non-school plans. These plans are attractive for students attending school in a different state and provide an option to pay upfront for year-round coverage rather than month-to-month.
You can find more health insurance tips for college students on Investopedia.
