Know your options

The Guide

Student Health Insurance

Guide to Student Health Insurance

To help you understand your student health insurace options, we have created this guide to walk you through the process. You will need to consider several different factors to be certain you are making the best choice for you student medical insurance needs. Before you start, you should locate your college's health insurance requirements. This information is typically available in your admissions offer packet or from the college's website. Read through the specific requirements for your school so that you will have a better idea of what information in this guide applies to your situation.

  • College Health Insurance Requirements: Colleges that require their students to have health insurance will typically set minimum standards that any private student health plan must meet.
  • Continuation of Coverage: If you are currently insured, consider keeping your current health insurance policy.
  • College Student Health Plan: Review and understanding the benefits and costs associated with the student health plan offered by your college.
  • Student Health Insurance Quotes: Get quotes and plan descriptions on other health insurance options.
  • Compare Health Plan Options: Make a comparison of the various health insurance options you have compiled.
  • Plan Eligibility: Understand the eligibility requirements, benefit periods and coverage areas of the medical plans you are considering.
  • Student Plan Coverage: Make sure that all of your options will provide adequate coverage for your specific health needs.
  • Student Health Plan: Once you've considered all of your options, apply for the student health plan that best meets your needs or accept your college's health plan.
  • Foreign Students: As a requirement of admission, foreign students studying at American Universities may have to provide proof that they are enrolled in a health insurance plan.

Other useful information that might be helpful in completing some of the above steps are found on the student health insurance covered benefits and student health insurance exclusions and limitations pages. On these pages you will find a list of items that you should expect to be included in your health plan as well as a list of services that are typical excluded. Your state may have specific health insurance regulations that vary from other states, so the covered benefits in your state may be less or more comprehensive than our sample lists.

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