Even though many colleges across the US are requiring all faculty, staff, and students to be fully vaccinated as students return to campus for in-person learning, the majority of parents are afraid to send their children to college in the wake of the pandemic, lockdowns, remote learning, vaccinations, and other pandemic-related circumstances.
Aside from the pandemic, sending your child off to college can be an excruciating process even in the best of circumstances. No matter how often you lecture your child about the importance of staying safe, accidents, thievery, and poor judgment will always be a major issue for parents.
College students and their parents should educate themselves about the following in addition to paying for tuition, books, additional clothing, and dorm room furniture the different types of insurance that they might want to take into account. Having the appropriate protection is crucial in these times..
Health Insurance for College Students
Many universities and colleges mandate that students get health insurance. However, even if health insurance is not required, it can still lessen the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses. College students typically have four options for health insurance.
Parent’s Plan: In this type of health insurance plan, a dependent can stay on it until the age of 26 Under the Affordable Care Act. This plan is more effective when the parent’s health plan has a provider network where the student attends school.
Check the deductibles for out-of-network coverage if your health plan doesn’t have a provider network where your child attends college so you aren’t taken off guard if they go to the doctor.
Student plans: Another health plan for college students is the student plan, Many colleges and universities offer this plan. In some cases, schools automatically put students in their health plans unless a student or their parents confirm that coverage already is in place. According to the American College Health Association, these plans typically have much lower out-of-pocket expenses (copays and deductibles) than comparable job plans that parents might have.
If you decide to go ahead with a student health plan, check it to see how much the premiums are and Compare the premiums and scope of coverage with any health plan you already have.
Medicaid: This plan is the joint federal and state health insurance program and Low-income students may qualify and benefit from Medicaid. The student must meet both the income and residency requirements for the state in which they receive Medicaid. Therefore, students attending an out-of-state institution probably wouldn’t have this option.
There is a list of state program contacts on Medicaid.gov, and each one has its own eligibility specifications.