What Are My Health Insurance Options as a College Student?

There are more than 18 million people pursuing higher education in the U.S. Most of the colleges and universities — as well as some of the technical schools — they’re attending require students to have health insurance. This mandate may apply to full-time and part-time students attending technical school, an undergraduate program, or a graduate program. 

Often, universities and colleges offer health insurance to students through campus health plans. The cost of this health insurance is typically added to tuition bills, unless a student secures and reports alternative comprehensive coverage. 

If you opt to buy a campus health plan, keep in mind that there may be additional charges for care at student health clinics. You should also keep in mind that there are many ways for college students to access health insurance. Keep reading to learn about some of the health insurance options to consider if you’re a college student.

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Health insurance as a dependent

If you are a young adult who is considered a dependent, then you can likely stay on your parent’s health insurance plan until you turn 26. This applies if your parent has job-based insurance or an insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. It may work best if you go to school and live in the same state as your parent. If you’re in a different state, you should check the plan’s provider network to see if you can access care where you live and go to school.

The cost to add a dependent under the age of 26 to a parent’s plan is usually less than the cost of a separate plan. In some states, being a college student (along with other conditions) allows you to remain on your parent’s insurance until you turn 30 or 31.

Institution-based health insurance

As mentioned, students can buy health insurance from their college or university in most cases. This type of coverage is often called “campus health insurance” or a “student health plan.” 

According to The New York Times, campus health insurance can cost $2,000 to $4,000 per academic year. Usually, this expense is included in a student’s tuition bill.

Student health plans cover up to 3 million people in the U.S., according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates. Some of these plans offer comprehensive coverage while others provide limited benefits with high deductibles. 

Affordable Care Act

Students who are U.S. citizens or lawfully present immigrants have the option to apply for health insurance through the ACA marketplace. All ACA plans are comprehensive, which means they must cover:

• Essential health benefits: The 10 essential health benefits include emergency services as well as substance use and mental health disorder services.

• Preexisting conditions: The preexisting medical conditions covered under ACA plans include cancer, diabetes, and pregnancy.

• Preventive services: The covered preventive care includes in-network services such as annual wellness exams and vaccinations.

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You can buy coverage during open enrollment every year, which usually ends in mid-January. If you miss the deadline, you can apply during a special enrollment period, but that requires a qualifying life event, such as:

• Changes in household: This includes getting married or losing coverage because of a divorce or separation.

• Changes in residence: This includes moving to or from the place where you attend school.

• Loss of coverage: This includes you or anyone in your household losing coverage at least 60 days ago or expecting to lose coverage in the next 60 days for various reasons, such as no longer being eligible for an insurance plan.

People under 30 also qualify for “catastrophic health plans” under the ACA. The premiums for these plans are very low, but the deductibles — what you pay out of pocket before the plan begins to pay for most services — can be very high. However, preventive services are covered with no out-of-pocket costs. In 2024, the deductible for catastrophic plans is $9,450. 

Some people 30 and older also qualify for ACA catastrophic coverage with a hardship or affordability exemption.

Medicaid as an option

If you are an uninsured student with a lower income, you may qualify for Medicaid. This federal program, which is run by states and territories, provides health coverage to people who qualify because of income and family size.

You can apply through your state Medicaid agency or via the ACA marketplace. Medicaid plans offer mandatory and optional benefits that cover most health needs. 

Insurance through a spouse or partner

If you are married or in a domestic partnership, you may qualify for coverage through your spouse or partner’s health plan. This is true whether they have an ACA marketplace plan or employer-based insurance. However, if you are in a domestic partnership, some employer-based health plans may not cover you.

Medicare

Some students may qualify for Medicare because of their age or a health condition. Most people 65 and older qualify for Medicare. Medicare also provides coverage for people who are younger than 65 who have certain disabilities or qualifying conditions.

Here are the four parts of Medicare:

• Part A: This is hospital insurance and most people do not pay premiums for coverage.

• Part B: This is medical insurance and most people pay the standard monthly premium, which is $174.70 in 2024.

• Part C: This is Medicare Advantage, which can be purchased as a private alternative to original Medicare and may include coverage for prescription medications.

• Part D: This is prescription medication coverage that you can add to original Medicare or to a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn’t offer these benefits.

Are there tax penalties if college students don’t have health insurance?

At one time, the ACA included a nationwide individual mandate requiring individuals, including students, to have health insurance. But Congress voted to remove that requirement in 2017. While there’s no longer a federal rule, some states still have healthcare coverage mandates for individuals and households.

These jurisdictions have healthcare mandates that carry penalties:

• California

• District of Columbia

• Massachusetts

• New Jersey

• Rhode Island

These states require that residents provide information about their health insurance status but do not impose a penalty:

• Vermont

• Maryland

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Written by:

Monique M. Johnson

Monique M. Johnson is a freelance writer based in Boston. Her work has been featured in Real Simple, Patch.com, and Today.com.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

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