I am a 22 year old male college student. My father has insurance coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois through his employer and I am a covered dependent. My dad told me that I won’t be covered anymore in his health insurance by the time I turn 23. Can this coverage be extended? What would make me eligible to remain insured on my dad’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois after I turn 23? What are my options for having my own affordable health insurance?
Staying on your father’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL health insurance policy through Cobra can be far more expensive than just buying your own which, if you are healthy, can cost from as little as $50 to $100 per month. These are just rough estimates but at least this gives you an idea of your alternatives. These amounts still depend on many factors including your personal health history as well as particulars about the policy coverage. To decide on the best health insurance plan for you, consider what you want out of it. That is, if you expect to have frequent visits to a doctor, then a plan with a lower monthly deductible that covers regular checkups with just a copayment is advisable for you. But if you just want your policy as some sort of a backup, choose a plan that has a higher deductible. The monthly premiums for that type plan are cheaper, but still give you good coverage in cases of medical emergencies. You could check out major insurance companies like your dad’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, Aetna, CIGNA, and others for you to have a much reliable and meaningful quote. Most colleges offer health insurance plans. If it is available, this is one of the best options that you could also consider, especially if you have a pre-existing condition, since the chance of being denied for its approval is usually very small. Check your school insurance policy first before deciding on buying your own. Other options you have are applying for your state’s Medicaid, if you qualify for it, and or getting an HSA or Health Savings Account. These offer good health coverage until you land a good job and can use the provided insurance by the company. Answer by general public — June 1, 2009 @ 4:55 pm No CommentsNo comments yet. Leave a comment |
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If the Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL insurance plan limits the eligible age for dependents to 23, then that’s it. However, if you still want to continue on your father’s insurance plan, then you can apply for COBRA. This will keep you covered for up to 18 months with a monthly premium of up to about $350 plus a 2% admin fee, which solely is your expense. That is there would be no contribution by your father’s employer.
