Going to College Without Health Insurance

NEWS

When students arrive on campus in a few short weeks, approximately a quarter of them will have no health insurance or insufficient coverage. That's according to the American College Health Association (ACHA). Declining benefits through parents' employer-sponsored plans and age limits for coverage being lowered may be part of the reason.

A lack of insurance leaves students open to the possibility of huge financial burdens, should something go wrong.

Some college officials think all students should be required to have insurance, with the costs being taken into consideration as part of their financial aid packages.

Read more about this issue:
http://www.aacrao.org/transcript/index.cfm?fuseaction=show_view&doc_id=3243

VIEWS

• What type of insurance coverage does your student's institution require, if any? Is a campus health plan available for purchase?
  
  
• Are your student's medical needs covered under your current health plan?
  
  
• Sometimes students encounter emotional issues and/or addiction counseling needs during their time at college. Campus counseling centers typically cover basic counseling needs without insurance considerations. Yet, if additional services are needed (i.e. a consultation with a psychologist, the need to prescribe medications, in- or out-patient services at the local hospital), students will need to be referred off-campus, where insurance/payment may be required. If your student requires mental health services at some point during his/her college career, will that be covered under your current health plan? It's worth a proactive look now.