Paige Cerulli Last Updated On: April 3, 2025

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Health Insurance for College Students

As you prepare to head off to college, be sure to check to see if your school requires health insurance. Even if insurance isn’t required, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have health coverage.

Why Do You Need College Student Health Insurance?

Every school has its own rules regarding student health insurance. Some schools require it, while others just strongly suggest it. Be sure to review these requirements in advance so you can make sure you have coverage if you need it.

Even if you’re not required to have health insurance, it’s still a good idea to get coverage as a student. A single unexpected health issue, like a broken bone or a serious illness, can result in tens of thousands of dollars of bills, and you don’t need extra financial stress or debt when you’re trying to focus on school. Health insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in case of an emergency.

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Affordable Student Health Insurance Options

If you’re worried about the student health insurance cost, there are many options available at a variety of price points.
  • Stay on your parents’ insurance policy: Most insurance policies allow children to stay on their parents’ health insurance until they’re 26 years old, so depending on your age, this may be an option.
  • Shop college health insurance plans: Some colleges offer their own health insurance at an affordable rate, but coverage and cost will vary depending on your school.
  • State health insurance plans: Your state’s health insurance exchange is an option if you can’t get coverage through work or from your parents. You can shop and buy health insurance plans on the marketplace, and may qualify for subsidized premiums based on your income.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid is available to low-income individuals. It may be a good option for health insurance for college students with no income.
  • Travel health insurance: If you’ll be studying abroad, you may want to consider a travel health insurance plan. Travel health insurance helps cover medical emergencies that occur while you’re abroad.

How to Get Health Insurance for College Students

There are many different ways to get health insurance for college students, so consider which options work best with your individual situation and your income. When you start to shop for a health insurance plan, consider your typical healthcare needs. Do you typically only need care for emergencies, or do you have chronic conditions that require you see a doctor several times a year? It’s also helpful to list out any medications you take so you can verify their price under the plan you choose.

It’s also important to compare quotes from multiple health insurance providers, since prices can vary significantly between different companies. You can get free health insurance quotes online today to make that process easier.

When you compare those quotes, focus not only on the premiums, but also on each policy’s deductible, coverage limits, and any exclusions.

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Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.

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