College student health care options

As they prepare for their first year of college, your student may be figuring out which school to attend, what they want to major in, and how to navigate financial aid options. One thing they might not be doing — but should be — is thinking about health care when they are in college.

What if your student needs health care services while at college?

If your student will be attending college in their hometown, they may already have a family doctor that they know and trust, and will continue using. But if not, chances are they can have most of their health care needs met on campus, because most bigger colleges offer health services.

These on-campus health offices normally offer general care, immunizations, wellness exams, X-rays, women’s health services, mental health care, disability management and more. And they accept health insurance, but can also treat your student if they don’t have insurance. Every school is different, so encourage your student to familiarize themselves with their college’s health services before they start classes. That way if they ever need health care, they’ll know what is offered and how to obtain services.

Does your student need to have health insurance?

It’s important for your student to have health insurance coverage. And many schools offer an affordable student health insurance plan that meets the federal government's health care requirement while offering good benefits. Rates are often kept low because the provider is insuring a younger and generally healthier population, and the insurance coverage is in effect only for a limited time (i.e., while your student is in college). See what your student’s top schools offer.

They can also apply for health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (the place where Affordable Care Act health care plans are sold and that you buy on your own). If they are under 26 years old, they can apply separately or through you as a dependent; if they are over 26, they need to apply on their own.

Another option for health insurance coverage is your health care plan. If your student is already listed as a dependent on your plan, they can remain so until they are 26 years old. Or if your student has a job, they might consider obtaining a health care plan through their employer.

Work with your student to figure out their options and what the best plan is for them. And remember, the cheapest plan isn’t necessarily the best — consider what each plan does and does not cover.

A special note on international students

If your student is an international student who will be studying in the U.S., there is another important consideration: many colleges require international students to have health insurance to be able to enroll in classes. International students may be able to obtain health insurance through their college, or they can find a plan on the international student insurance website.