<p>Now that the stressful college application process is over & we're just waiting to hear the final list of college options for my d, I'm starting to look into the nitty-gritty details that are less fun to think about.</p>
<p>I'm wondering about health insurance. I just looked at websites for 2 colleges on her list, and one requires that you pay for health insurance on campus while the other doesn't offer health insurance.</p>
<p>Do parents usually pay for college-sponsored health insurance? If so, do you do this in addition to keeping the kids on your own health care plan?</p>
<p>Our HMO policy (through BC/BC MA) will not cover our son while he's at school in AZ. At his college, students are required to pay for the school-offered health insurance, in addition to paying the standard health fee for on-campus services, unless parents show proof of other health insurance coverage.</p>
<p>His freshman year, he only used the on-campus health services for a simple knee injury (non-athlete trying to play rugby). This past week, he fell on ice (yes, snow and ice in Arizona), injured his elbow, and health services wanted him to have x-rays at an off-campus facility. It was easy for him to use the insurance; 100% coverage on the x-rays; he made all the arrangements himself.</p>
<p>We do still keep him on our own insurance since it's a family policy that is not dependent on the number of family members. When both kids are in college and covered by school-sponsored policies we will look at dropping them from the redundant family policy.</p>
<p>most schools require that kids have coverage. If your policy will cover them where they go to school, there is probably a waiver you can fill out. I have BCBS of PA and the DO cover my son in NYC. </p>
<p>Of course, being a kid, he went to the student health center for a twisted ankle and since Blue Cross isn't accepted there, I got a bill for $78.</p>
<p>He has used NYC dentists and Oral surgeons no problem with primary and secondary coverage (I pay extra for dental/vision).</p>
<p>I verified with the company that my S is covered by our health insurance while in college 2,000 miles away. Therefore, we are able to waive the otherwise-required insurance provided by the college (which adds up to about $2200 per year). If we didn't already have great insurance, I guess the excellent college policy would be a good deal.</p>
<p>Our D1 is covered under our health insurance. It's a PPO, so she could go anywhere she wants. But she usually goes to her school's medical center. The cost is only $15 or $20/visit, and she is able to get her medication filled too. The only thing is when your kid turns 18 you will need to certify to your insurance company that he/she is in school or they will discontinue the coverage.</p>
<p>It's good to check out what your insurance covers regarding your kid as well as what the school's plan covers. Nearly all Us do offer some form of insurance but coverage varies WIDELY.</p>
<p>At S's U, ALL students must pay a Student Health Center fee (about $220/semester). It covers all expenses of being seen at the Health Center, which is handily on campus. There is also a more expensive fee for insurance which you have to purchase unless you pursue the waiver and PROVE via letter or other documentation that your student is covered under a plan that meets specified criteria (at least $1 million catastrophic coverage, deductible limits, co-pay limits, etc.) Our kids are covered under H's policy excellent BC/BS PPO policy until they turn 22, so we have gotten the waiver for them so far. The student insurance is about $600/semester for fall & more for spring (which includes summer). We will have to investigate how to best cover them once they turn 22--S will turn 22 in Nov of his senior year. We may just pay for him to get continuing coverage or buy the student insurance. Haven't decided.</p>
<p>At our state flagship U, purchasing insurance is optional and you can purchase if you take at least a minimum # of credits.</p>
<p>A friend opted out because his D was covered under his Kaiser plan in HI. She had a medical emergency on campus and they took her to the nearest medical center that could treat her & they were saddled with HUGE bills because their Kaiser plan balked since the center wasn't a Kaiser center. With his S, he paid for the student plan to avoid a situation like D's. You have to carefully weigh the options to see what IS covered and what the limitations are vs. the costs.</p>
<p>Many states are requiring the age to be raised, as long as student not married. Which btw, my understanding is usually not a bad deal for the isnurance companye becuase once you take pregnancies out of the equation, younger people are much bettter risks.</p>
<p>Off topic a bit, but there is another thread by a student, entitled "I don't want health insurance" and wondering if he has the right to refuse. Others are calculating the "odds" of paying for coverage vs paying for costs out of pocket. Another suggested the student might be eligible for Medicaid. What happens, and when, that makes us (parents) see this differently?</p>
<p>yea, I wish our state would & asked them to consider that last year but they rather waste their time with trivial stuff that I can't fathom. argh! we have sucn an ineffective legislature & executive. sigh!</p>
<p>at our kids' private college, you can't opt not to be covered and be a student at their school. if you want to attend, you have to follow the rules, period.</p>
<p>well, it sounds like it is definitely not something that is handled in a standard way across schools. For the school that does not offer HI, I looked to see whether my health plan has member clinics/providers in their area - of course not. It couldn't be that simple.</p>