<p>Where can I get cheap health insurance, I can't afford my school's.</p>
<p>Is there a reason you can’t go on your parents’? </p>
<p>This really varies by state. Google “health insurance in (your state)” and you’ll probably find a site that compares them. You might qualify for state subsidized insurance depending your state, too.</p>
<p>Under the Affordable Care Act, if your parents have insurance, you can stay on it until you’re 26.</p>
<p>Starting in October, you can sign up for insurance through your state exchange. There are reduced rates depending on income. People under 30 can get very inexpensive policies for catastrophic situations.</p>
<p>See this premium estimator: [Subsidy</a> Calculator | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation](<a href=“http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/]Subsidy”>Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator | KFF)</p>
<p>That’s the thing, none of the do.</p>
<p>Until you are 18, you should qualify for the CHIP program. [Programs</a> in Your State | InsureKidsNow.gov](<a href=“http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/state/index.html]Programs”>http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/state/index.html)</p>
<p>You also can find out about some options in your state by checking on the insurance exchange (if there is one) or here: <a href=“http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/[/url]”>http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/</a></p>
<p>I live in Minnesota but will be going to college in Boston. My medica doesn’t travel with me.</p>
<p>This might not offer you a less expensive option, but it might</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector[/url]”>https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector</a></p>
<p>I have known students to get significantly discounted insurance, but they were MA residents.</p>
<p>Horacio79 - the insurance plan in your link states it is for MA residents.</p>
<p>Movieslove - please don’t think I’m a wiseguy as I truly feel for you. But if you attend BU, your insurance plan must be comparable to MA in order to waive. The link I provided in your other thread has BU’s requirements and below is link from MA itself:</p>
<p>[Student</a> Health Insurance](<a href=“http://www.mass.gov/chia/consumer/basic-needs/student-health-insurance.html]Student”>http://www.mass.gov/chia/consumer/basic-needs/student-health-insurance.html)</p>
<p>I hope someone can provide you information on where/how to find a cheaper insurance outside of BU’s. But please remember that plan must meet MA requirements in order to waive. Perhaps there should be a sticky that discusses health insurance requirements for colleges, especially when it comes to a state like MA. </p>
<p>Again, good luck. </p>
<p>QLM</p>
<p>I figure BU’s plan seems more convenient but student plans are notorious for being lackluster in case of a real medical emergency. Also with a different plan I wouldn’t have to cough up $2100 immediately. If I don’t have the money or get a payment plan in place I won’t get the key to my dorm. That’s why I’m trying to remove the charge, it’s already there and if all else fails I’ll just have to think where next to cut cost. Like I noted in the other thread, I got $250 waived so I’m hopeful!</p>
<p>The plan that BU offers complies with MA law which is what matters. Even if you found a different plan, it will have to be in place before you are able to waive BU’s insurance. BU itself does not approve the waiver, the health insurance provider they use does (in BU’s case, I believe it’s Aetna). Please, please re-read the link below - it tells you everything you need to know about what type of insurance plan is eligible for a waiver. I hate to see a student running around in circles only to find themselves right back where they started. </p>
<p>[Comparable</a> Coverage » Student Accounting Services » Boston University](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/studentaccountingservices/resources/medical-insurance/comparable-coverage/]Comparable”>Comparable Coverage | Student Accounting Services)</p>
<p>QLM</p>
<p>Have you tried to get a BU Tuition Payment plan in place? You are actually behind on it, but it’s worthwhile in your situation, and the insurance will fall under it.</p>
<p>[Tuition</a> Payment Plan » Financial Assistance | Boston University](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/loans/tuitionpay/]Tuition”>http://www.bu.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/loans/tuitionpay/)</p>
<p>It’s not just MA requirements you need to meet, but BU’s. Many colleges, and BU is one of them, do require all of their students to get insurance. And many of those in that category will require that the coverage meets university standards. THere have been instances when students who do have health coverage through their parents, find that the coverage does not pass muster when it comes to their college’s requirements.</p>
<p>For the record, I am not a resident of MA but do have a child who attends college there. One typo on the waiver form resulted in a rejection and an email stating D would be enrolled in her school’s insurance plan unless the information was either corrected or proof of our coverage was provided. I’m really trying to help you understand what is required for student health coverage, including being able to waive, and do wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>QLM</p>
<p>Again, from BU’s website: [Insurance</a> & Billing » Student Health Services | Boston University](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/shs/fees/]Insurance”>Student Health Insurance Plan – SHIP | Student Health Services) </p>
<p>Massachusetts law requires that all full-time students and students who participate in at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum must have medical insurance. Regardless of your current coverage, you will automatically be billed for the insurance offered through Boston University. This plan provides coverage for most typical problems that students encounter while at college. If you wish to reject this insurance and have the charge removed from your bill, you must submit a Medical Insurance Waiver. For more information on Medical Insurance or to submit a Waiver, please visit Student Accounting Services.</p>
<p>Okay QLM, I’ve heard you and will be letting that. I guess there is no way around having insurance. I just took a look at the Tuition Payment plan</p>
<p>Need assistance in determining your fees?
- Enter plan amount</p>
<p>For most bill-payers, this equals the remaining amount due to the school for this term after financial aid and other payments are considered.</p>
<p>Your Plan Details</p>
<p>Total plan amount$3,661.00
Number of payments10 month(s)
Monthly payment$366.10
First payment dueMay 15, 2013</p>
<p>Your Amount Due Today
Application fee
(non-refundable)$65.00
Initial payment(s) due$1,098.30</p>
<p>Total due today$1,163.30 :(</p>
<p>If you’re receiving need-based aid from BU try asking if they can increase your aid to cover the required insurance. My son went to college in MA and the insurance we had on him did not meet the college’s standards. After looking around a bit I found an additional aid application on their website to request they add the cost of the college’s plan to his need-based aid. I had to reapply for it each year, but each year they did cover the cost. I kept our inexpensive very high-deductible policy on him since the college’s plan capped out at $100,000 so he was well-insured while in school.</p>
<p>It did require some digging to find that additional aid application though. I don’t recall anyone in the FA office bringing to my attention that it was possible to request more aid for this… they might have, but I seem to remember being surprised when I found it.</p>
<p>I hate how sometimes resources seem to be intentionally hidden. I have Medica, that’s all I can afford and it is terrible that I got blindsided by a $2100 medical insurance bill. I’ll dig but if I don’t find it I’m straight calling them. I’m done trying to get out of it with private insurance thanks to QLM but this might be something worth pursuing. Good thing Monday is right around the corner.</p>
<p>'Rentof2 I thought we had the same MA school in common so I went to their website. Lo and behold, not only is the information you found on the Office of FA page but also on each year’s Fees for xxx Academic Year. How about that.
With this is mind, Movieslove, while BU is not the same school, take a good, hard look at BU’s FA page and see if you can find anything about help in covering the health insurance fee. I see you’re already planning on calling the school tomorrow which is smart. During D’s college search, I don’t remember a single school in any state talking about health insurance so I totally understand how you feel blindsided by this.
I truly wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>QLM</p>
<p>movieslove, perhaps I am naive, but I don’t assume it was intentionally hidden. It probably doesn’t help to automatically position yourself in opposition to your college.</p>
<p>In our case, I think the FA office worked very hard on the behalf of students. Would it have been easier if they waived the health insurance aid request in my face? Sure. Do I think the fact that they didn’t had more to do with a few hard working people being swamped with a ton of work trying to help students? Yes. If they didn’t want to help at all, they were under no obligation to do so. And yet they did.</p>
<p>Rentof2 I’m just really frustrated. I looked and flat out called but nothing can be done which is fine, I already let go of that.</p>