Many students are not able to be covered on their parents’ plan once they start college. Here are some places where you can find info about student health insurance. You can compare options for getting the best medical insurance for students.

Quick tip: See if your school offers medical insurance for students, because often they offer plans for an affordable rate and are easy to set up.

Visit each of the sites and plug in your information. You’ll be asked questions like what your age is, what school you go to, your address…. it depends on the website. You’ll first be asked to search for your school and see if your school has a plan through the insurance company.

United Health Care

• United Health Care Student Insurance

Aetna

• Aetna Student Health Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Insurance Plans

Do Students Need Medical Insurance?

I guess it depends who you ask. Most students are still covered by their parents and have health insurance, and it’s nice, because they don’t feel too bad when they need to go to the doctor. They don’t have to pay for their flu shot every year. If they need medicine, they don’t normally have to pay too much for it. It’s nice to have those resources and options available, especially when you personally don’t have to pay for it. However, I’m not covered by my parents, and I know a few other people who are like that as well. I can’t afford to buy health insurance, even at student prices. So what do I do? I try to be careful. About the most adventurous/dangerous thing I do is snowboarding. I try to eat healthy and work out. Obviously some things can’t be avoided, such as car accidents, health problems, or other accidents. But I try the best with what I can. When I felt sick last Christmas break, I had to go to the doctor and I discovered I had mono. It would have been much cheaper to go to the doctor if I had insurance, but even the price I paid for that doctor’s visit and the testing I had done was still cheaper than if I’d been paying for health insurance for the past three years. So, it really depends. Do you lead an adventurous lifestyle? Do you get sick a lot? Talk about your options with your parents and see what they think best.
–Brittany Shaffer, Junior at MC

Have other questions about medical insurance for students? Know of some other plans? Let us know!

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