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Health Insurance for College Students in the USA

Every year thousands of students head to college to pursue their dreams. Young college-going students are vulnerable to illnesses, accidents, and the consequences of bad decisions. When such medical emergencies occur, students may not be able to pay for the right kind of treatment they need. Here comes the role of Health Insurance for College Students. 

Visitor Guard® offers the best Health Insurance for college students in the USA.

Many of these students live on their own while a lot of them travel to the USA to continue their studies. Having the right medical insurance for college students covers the cost of ailments and emergencies that arise while they are in school. Student Health Insurance helps them avoid any sudden financial trouble and they can lead a more secure life.

Contact Visitor Guard® today for the best health insurance plans for college students in the USA. 

Health Insurance for College Students

Popular Health Insurance for College Students

Patriot America

$72 / mo For age 45 years with $50,000 plan and $250 deductible
  • Plan maximum limits ranging from $50,000 to $1 million
  • Deductible options from $0 to $2,500
  • Coverage for Hospitalization, ER, Urgent Care, Dr. Office Visits, Prescription Drugs, Covid-19
  • Coverage for non-chronic Acute Onset of Pre-existing conditions
  • Coverage from 5 days to 2 years
  • Brochure
  • Review Plan
Purchase Now

Atlas America

$80 / mo For age 45 years with $50,000 plan and $250 deductible
  • Plan maximum limits ranging from $50,000 to $2 million
  • Deductible options from $0 to $5,000
  • Coverage for Hospitalization, ER, Urgent Care, Dr. Office Visits, Prescription Drugs, Covid-19
  • Coverage for non-chronic Acute Onset of Pre-existing conditions
  • Coverage from 5 days to 364 days
  • Brochure
  • Review Plan
Purchase Now

Student Secure

$43 / mo For age 24 years with $250,000 plan and $90 deductible
  • Plan maximum limits ranging from $100,000 to $500,000
  • Deductible options from $25 to $50 based on the plan
  • Coverage for Hospitalization, ER, Urgent Care, Dr. Office Visits, Prescription Drugs, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Covid-19 (excluded on the Smart plan)
  • Coverage for non-chronic Acute Onset of Pre-existing conditions
  • Coverage from 5 days to 364 days
  • Brochure
  • Review Plan
Purchase Now

Patriot Exchange

$57 / mo For age 24 years with $100,000 plan and $250 deductible
  • Plan maximum limits ranging from $50,000 to $500,000
  • Deductible options from $0 to $500
  • Coverage for Hospitalization, ER, Urgent Care, Dr. Office Visits, Prescription Drugs, Covid-19
  • Coverage for Pre-existing conditions after 12 months of continuous coverage
  • Coverage from 5 days to 48 continuous months
  • Brochure
  • Review Plan
Purchase Now

Student Health Advantage

$104 / mo For age 24 years with $300,000 plan and $100 deductible
  • Plan maximum limit of $300,000 per incident
  • Deductible of $100 per incident
  • Deductible of $100 per incident Coverage for Hospitalization, ER, Urgent Care, Dr. Office Visits, Prescription Drugs, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Covid-19
  • Coverage for Pre-existing conditions after 6 month waiting period
  • Coverage from 1 months to maximum of 60 months
  • Brochure
Purchase Now
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Benefits of Students Medical Insurance

Do not let any medical emergency get in the way of your college life and claim your financial freedom by preparing for it beforehand. Contact Visitor Guard® and purchase your college student medical insurance today.

  • Medical Coverage: Staying overseas can bring many unexpected medical emergencies. Health insurance for college students provides coverage for any unforeseen accident.
  • Health Benefits: Health is a vital aspect of a student’s life. Medical insurance for college students allows them to stay healthier which is important for academic success.
  • Cost savings: College Student health insurance plans are cost-effective with added benefits thus reducing their expenses while providing medical security.
  • Study Interruption:  College Student Health Insurance ensures that there is no study interruption by providing coverage for health issues.
  • Baggage loss: These insurance plans also provide coverage for any loss of luggage.

Why choose us for College Student Health Insurance?

Purchase your college student health insurance with Visitor Guard® and be well prepared for any kind of medical emergency.

  • Best rates: Get medical insurance for college students at the best rates with Visitor Guard®.
  • Expert advice: Don’t settle for less. Get all your doubts cleared about health insurance plans for college students by experts at Visitor Guard®.
  • Quick claim: Visitor Guard® helps you get your claims of your college student health insurance quickly without any hassle so that you don’t have to face any financial crisis during medical needs.
  • Best plans: Compare the best medical insurance plans for college students and get the plan that best suits you.
  • We prioritize you: You are not alone. We at Visitor Guard® make full efforts so that you don’t have to struggle with student health insurance. Your satisfaction is our first priority.

Best Health Insurance for College Students

As a college student, it is important to have student health insurance so that you don’t face financial crisis during any medical emergency. With so many health insurance options available, it is essential to choose the right plan for you that suits your needs. If you are looking for health insurance plans for college students, we will provide you the best options for college student medical insurance available.

  • Best college student medical insurance for overall coverage- Cigna
  • Best for students from low-income families- Medicaid and Aetna United
  • Best health insurance for international college students- IMG and Tokio Marine
  • Best for US students- Anthem and BCBS
Best Health Insurance for College Students

College Student Health Insurance Cost

College Student Age

Plan Medical Limit    

Price (per month) 

Less than 18 years 

$50K 

$23

18 – 29 years

$50K 

$24 

30 – 39 years 

$50K

$29

Know Before You Go: Study Abroad Insurance 

Many Universities offer Study Abroad programs or internships. The health insurance for college students in your country may or may not provide you with coverage for an illness or injury when in a foreign country.  Medical expenses while studying abroad could be high, even for small and unexpected injuries or illnesses.  

Health insurance for college students  helps prevent a financial crisis in the event of an emergency.  Without coverage,  medical treatment can be tremendously costly.  

Coverage  for  a college student can begin  within a day of insurance purchase. If there is a large group traveling together group insurance can be set up and the cost could be cheaper than individual health insurance plans for college students. As required by many universities, these college student plans provide coverage for hospitalization, intensive care, surgery, prescription drugs, and doctor visits for an illness or injury, medical evacuation as well as repatriation. 

How to Apply for Health Insurance for College Students?

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Understand School Requirements

Check the requirements of the school you will be attending.

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Check for Available Plans

Complete the quote form above to see college student health insurance plans catered to your specific needs.

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Compare Plans

Compare health insurance plans for college students, considering pricing, coverage amount, benefits, and exclusions.

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Apply For a Plan

Purchase a plan from one of our trusted insurance providers.

Popular Plans for Students Needing Coverage Outside the US 

Various plans are available in the market that offers the required coverage. Here’s a look at the popular plans: 

This  is comprehensive and cost-effective health insurance suitable for college students studying abroad. It is administered by IMG (International Medical Group) and underwritten by Sirius International and has an A “Excellent” rating by A.M. Best. The plan has policy maximums ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000 and deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500. Although the plan covers many medical conditions, injuries, and accidents, certain expenses related to pre-existing conditions, preventive check-ups, immunizations, and maternity are not covered. Additional benefits of this medical insurance for college students cover terrorism, sports & leisure activities, acute onset of pre-existing conditions before age 70, trip interruption, AD&D, lost luggage, and evacuation plus rider. You can get a quote as well as purchase the Patriot International plan online.

StudentSecure is affordable medical insurance for college students that meets the requirements of many US schools. It is administered by Tokio Marine HCC-MIS Group and underwritten by Lloyds and has an A++ (Superior) rating by A.M. Best. There are 4 levels of coverage- Elite, Select, Budget, and Smart. Each of these plans of college student health insurance covers eligible medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation expenses. 

StudentSecure Smart has a policy maximum of $100,000 per injury/sickness and a deductible of $50 per injury or illness within the PPO network, outside the U.S. or student health center; otherwise $100 per injury or illness. Take a look at the benefits, get quotes/ purchase the StudentSecure Smart plan online here

This health insurance for college students is administered by Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group and underwritten by Lloyds. Tokio Marine HCC and holds a financial strength rating of A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company. Policy maximum varies from $10,000 to $2,000,000 and deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500 per certified period. 

Certain types of expenses are excluded from coverage under Atlas health Insurance for college students. Here’s a look at some of the exclusions: 

  • Pre-existing conditions 
  • Routine medical examinations 
  • Routine prenatal care, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care 
  • Medical expenses for injury or illness resulting from participation in specifically excluded extreme sports 

How do College Students Get Medical Insurance? 

Students who are young and healthy often think that they are not vulnerable to illnesses/injuries and hence do not need health insurance.  They must consider the right option for Health insurance for college students as there is no guarantee that they will not develop an illness or get an injury and need treatment. 

Some college students can remain on their parent’s health insurance plan while others are responsible for getting their student health insurance for the first time. It can be overwhelming to understand and navigate the current health insurance system in the U.S.

There are various options available to purchase insurance
  • Parent’s health insurance
  • Purchase through school
  • Market Place Plan
  • Catastrophic Health Insurance
  • Medicaid
student-health-insurance-plans

Best  Health Insurance Plans for College Students 

What is the best medical insurance for college students? Let’s take a look at the various health insurance options available to college students. 

Coverage under parent’s insurance plan: 

Students under the age of 26 (under 29 years in New York) can remain on their parent’s health insurance. Though this may sound cool, there are a few things to check before continuing on your parent’s health plan. If you go to a college in a different state from where your parents live, you may have to go home for any major or minor medical needs, as the plan may not cover any local doctors. If it does, it is important for parents and students to find out how the insurer will reimburse claims that occur in the college town. Parents can obtain coverage for their children by contacting their providers and providing documentation of their age and current uninsured status. 

Sign-up for a health plan at school: 

Many universities and colleges offer their own health insurance plans for college students. This can be an easy and affordable way to get basic health insurance coverage. The biggest advantage of this plan is that the premium costs are grouped with other expenses such as tuition, room, and board, which means that you can use student loans to pay for it! Unless the student provides an alternate coverage that meets ACA requirements, sign up for this plan for college student medical insurance will be automatically done with enrollment. You will be covered for the entire period for which you are enrolled and have paid premiums. This includes semester breaks, summer vacation, and even your travel or study abroad. 

Students enrolled in other comparable medical insurances for college students are eligible for a waiver. Before waiving the college student health insurance plan, one must carefully evaluate the coverage provided by the existing plan and make sure that it meets all the mandatory requirements.

Marketplace Health Plans: 

This health insurance for college students covers all essential health benefits at lower rates. With this plan, you may also qualify to receive financial help from the government to pay for your plan. To sign up for this plan, log into the state marketplace website or the Federal Government Site

Catastrophic Health Insurance Plan: 

This college student health insurance plan is available only to students under the age of 30 and only covers extremely expensive health emergencies. Catastrophic health plans can be cheaper than traditional medical insurance plans for college students, but they come with very high deductibles, as high as $6,000. If you are eligible for a catastrophic plan, it will be displayed when you compare plans in the Marketplace. 

Medicaid 

Health insurance for college students through Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Students from low-income families can take advantage of this plan. You can find out if you are qualified for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) when you apply for medical insurance for college students through the Marketplace. To sign up for this plan, log into the state marketplace website or the federal government site. 

Steps to Use College Student Health Insurance

Now that you know which plan to go with, make sure you know how to use your college student health insurance.  

1. First step is to make sure you have your health insurance documents. You will need your Student Health Insurance card which usually comes in the mail. This card will have your name, details basic coverage like copays for doctor visits, prescription drugs, etc.   

2. Check if the Student Health Center accepts your college student medical insurance. If you need further treatment from outside the campus health center, check the list of doctors in the provider network. Make sure to check the hospital and doctor ratings before taking an appointment. 

3. When you visit the campus health center or the provider, show your medical ID card and also call the number on your card for assistance on your student health insurance 

How do college students get medical insurance?

4. After you receive treatment, fill out the college student health insurance claims form and submit it along with the required medical reports. If required, you may have to provide proof of your medical history.

Main Organizations Providing College Student Insurance 

There are various companies that provide insurance for college students. Let’s take a look at the main players in this space: 

Administrators

These companies design the plans, benefits, premiums, and exclusions of medical insurances for college students.

 

For the US:

  • Anthem 
  • BCBS 
  • Aetna United 

Outside the US:

  • IMG  
  • Tokyo Marine HCC 

Underwriters

These are several college student health insurance companies that pay the claims. Before you choose a plan for your student health insurance, it is important to check the A.M. Best rating of these companies to know their financial stability. 

  • Sirius International 
  • Llyods 
  • Anthem 

PPO Network

PPO plan offers a network of healthcare providers who have agreed to provide care at a certain rate. Here’s a look at the PPO network associated with the above plans of medical insurance for college students.

  • Coventry PPO 
  • First Health Network 
  • United Health
Is there any exclusion on study abroad insurance?

College Student Insurance Exclusions 

Before using your student health insurance, it is very important to understand situations that are excluded from coverage. Exclusions generally include:

  • pre-existing conditions
  • pregnancy
  • dependent coverage
  • sports injuries
  • mental disorder
  • substance abuse and
  • dental and vision coverage

However, many company providing medical insurance for college students may have optional coverage which can be added to the policy for an additional cost. Check with the insurance provider to know more about these additional benefits. 

It is very important for college students to save every spare nickel to bring down their loan requirements. Researching various coverage options and choosing the best fit will help students get the coverage they need at very low costs. We hope you never have to face any medical emergencies during your golden days in college. But, accidents and injuries are often unexpected, and with health insurance for college students, you can at least have the treatment costs covered! 

Health Insurance for College Students - FAQ

Students can purchase their health insurance for college students through their school, marketplace, medicaid or other plans according to their eligibility. They can also remain on their parent’s health insurance plan till they turn 26. Depending on the plan, the costs of the coverage are charged and these medical insurances for college students provide support to them during medical emergencies.

The cost of medical insurance plans for college students can vary depending upon its type and coverage benefits. It can further depend on your location, age, gender, etc. But approximately, students in US spend around $158 and $231 per month for short-term and long-term medical insurance for college students respectively.

Getting insurance through your parent’s plan can be one of the best values for medical insurance for college students.  If nobody claims you a dependent on the taxes and you don’t live with your parents then might be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid. 

Yes, students from low-income families can consider this option. You can find out if you are qualified for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) when you apply for coverage through the Marketplace. Some factors that determine your ability to qualify for Medicaid will depend on whether you’re a dependent (by tax standards), live with your parents, and your income.   Signing up for this plan is easy, simply log into your state marketplace website or the federal government site  

If you are under the age of 26 (under 29 years in New York) you can remain under your parent’s health insurance. Normally, if you’re going to school in-state, your parent’s health insurance plan can cover your medical needs

If nobody claims you as a dependent on the taxes and you don’t live with your parents, you may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid.  

Students who have aged-out (above the age of 26 years) of their parents’ insurance, or if the parents insurance didn’t have an option to add dependents they can purchase an individual policy through Obamacare. Most states have a good number of policies to choose from, and there are at least three coverage levels available. 

All States have different income eligibility rules, but in most states, children up to age 19 with family income up to $50,000 per year (for a family of four) may qualify for Medicaid or the CHIP. 

Many universities also provide a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Typically, this is a mandatory plan offered by the University to ensure that students have adequate health care coverage. Where offered, the SHIP usually is through companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, etc. It is a comprehensive health plan that includes medical, mental health, dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits. Typically for students enrolled in SHIP, the Student Health Center (SHC) can be the primary care provider however spouses and dependents (if covered under the policy) might have to use the in-network providers. 

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