Health Insurance for College Students

When a student goes off to college, medical bills should be the last thing on their mind. Some students may stay on a parent’s plan, but others may struggle to find the necessary coverage. Fortunately, there are specific student health insurance plans designed for college and international students, graduate students, and students over 26, to help protect them from expensive medical bills.¹ Aflac supplemental insurance plans can provide additional coverage to help students with out-of-pocket expenses if they experience a covered health event.

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Key Takeaways

Some universities may require students to have health insurance, so it’s crucial to understand student health insurance options, especially if you’re an international student and your health insurance eligibility depends on your visa.²
There are several health insurance options for students, including institution-specific plans, state-sponsored plans, and staying on a parent’s plan.
Aflac offers a range of supplemental insurance plans that can help college students cover out-of-pocket expenses not covered by primary health insurance if they're hurt or sick.

If you are in high school or elementary school, health insurance for children may be a better route. It’s important to note that Aflac doesn’t offer full-coverage health insurance for students, but we do offer supplemental insurance that works with existing plans to help with out-of-pocket expenses. Read on to learn how health insurance for college students works and some types of insurance plans for students.

Do college students need health insurance?

It’s important for college students to have health insurance, as being covered can financially protect you in case of unforeseen medical expenses. Health insurance can also allow you to pay less in out-of-pocket expenses for in-network health care.

Some schools will require college students to have health insurance to enroll into the program.² However, this depends on the university.

International student health insurance can also be helpful for those traveling to America, as the U.S. does not have universal health care. Accessibility may depend on the visa held by the international student and the state they are studying in.²

If you’re a college or graduate student, you may be able to get coverage through your parent’s health insurance plan or through the school. And if you’re over the age of 26, you may purchase a health insurance plan on your own.

Types of student health insurance plans

There are a few different ways you can go about getting health insurance for college and graduate students:

College health insurance plans: At some institutions, you can get student health insurance through your campus at an affordable rate. This depends on the school you are attending and what they have to offer. Annual costs can range from $2,000 to $4,000.³ Many schools also offer health insurance options to graduate students. We recommend chatting with an advisor to see what your student health insurance options are.
Parent’s employer health insurance plans: If one of your parents has a health insurance plan, you may be able to be added to their plan. The general rule of thumb is that children can stay on their parent’s health insurance until they are 26 years old.³
State health insurance plans: Each state offers a health insurance exchange for college or graduate students unable to get insurance through work or their parents. Essentially, the exchange is a marketplace where consumers can buy health insurance.⁴ When it comes to health insurance for college students with no income, Medicaid may be a good option.

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How health insurance for college students works

Student health insurance works the same way as traditional health insurance. In exchange for premium payments, college students and graduate students get certain benefits that help bring the cost of medical care down.⁵ You may have to meet a deductible or set dollar value toward medical services before benefits kick in.⁶

With student health insurance, you also may receive copays and coinsurance or discounts on certain doctor's appointments, prescriptions and treatments.⁵ Each plan has a different set of rules and limitations, so we recommend looking at your health insurance options closely.

What does student health insurance cover?

Student health insurance may offer similar coverage as traditional health insurance plans. Students who stay on a parent’s plan can expect the same benefits. Otherwise, student-specific plans typically cover:⁷

Mental health care
Doctor and hospital visits
Prescription medications
Medical treatments and devices

Every plan is different, so it’s important to review the details of each health insurance plan you consider.

Aflac supplemental insurance can provide additional coverage

Student health insurance can help you stay healthy to ensure you can focus on your studies. Primary health insurance doesn’t cover everything, however, and you may find yourself with out-of-pocket medical expenses when you’re already on a tight budget. Aflac offers a variety of supplemental insurance policies, such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, cancer insurance, and more that can help cover costs that aren’t covered by primary health insurance. To learn more about available plans, chat with an agent and get a quote today.

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