<p>I am currently a 20 year-old sophomore at a PA state school. I am still on my parent's medical plan because their plan allows for me to stay on their insurance as long as I'm a full time student. However, I may seriously need to drop one of my current classes which would take me down to 11 credits, thus making me a part time student. I will still be a full time student again once the Fall semester starts, but I'm worried that temporarily having part-time status will cause me to lose my medical coverage. </p>
<p>Is there anything that I could do to make sure that I can remain on their policy, or am I pretty much SOL? Paying for my own medical insurance is out of the question entirely since I barely make enough money to pay for gas, car insurance, and my car payments as it is. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>can you pick up a community college course, maybe even one online?
there are some at CA CCs that have odd schedules, beginning in March/April/May, etc.</p>
<p>get the units, take something you need or take something pass fail or even add a PE or art class for personal edification?</p>
<p>Since policies tend to run from year to year have your parents check on the possibilities of continued coverage based on your fall plans- try to do it without having them check up on your policy (ie try to have them stay anonymous/hypothetical).</p>
<p>Although insurance companies are getting pretty diligent about this to cut down cots, they usually have the certification at the beginning of the term or year. Can you take a credit pass fail, add a PE or other 1 credit class?</p>
<p>Also, if you are going to PT because of a current illness, sometimes that would be a reason that the insurance will keep you on your parent's plan (this is true even if you are completely out of school).</p>
<p>COBRA for the student who dropped below full time status was not as bad as we thought it would be--about $200/month--and she can go back on the family plan as soon as she gets back to full time student status (at least until she's 24.) It isn't cheap but considering the alternative it isn't prohibitive.</p>
<p>Paying for your own insurance maybe cheaper than COBRA. If you live in PA - there is low cost insurance available. Similar plans are available in other states.
A couple of points - keep yourself covered so you can show "credible coverage".
Your parents medical insurance company may offer high deductible short term policies for you. Capital Blue Cross is one such company. Many kids who graduate and go off their parents policies buy these for the short term.</p>
<p>There are considerations - if you have a chronic health condition you may want to fork over the money for COBRA. If you are otherwise healthy then look for a cheaper policy.</p>
<p>S was considering dropping down to part-time status this term (last term Senior). Same question arose. He is on college health insurance policy, not ours. It permits coverage for part- or full-time students "depending on the University's own policies."</p>
<p>HOWEVER, he found out that there were also issues of keeping his spot in student housing. Required a special signature from his advisor as to reasons for dropping to part-time. He decided that this was a hoop he probably couldn't successfully jump through.
So he found another course that was a bit less onerous.</p>
<p>Moral of the story: there may be issues beyond health insurance. I second the notion of finding something pass fail or a one-credit course. Do you play an instrument? Perhaps a for-credit "lessons" course.</p>
<p>My daughter is thinking about taking a semester off next year, and would be taking no classes. So this is an issue we're going to have to tackle as well. My fingers are crossed that the advice in #3 works for us.</p>