Question: My child is getting ready to start college. What are her coverage options?
Answer: If your child is currently covered on your health plan as a dependent, check with the plan to see if she can remain on the plan as a full-time student. Some insurers allow dependent children to remain on their parents’ health insurance plan for as long as they are full-time students. Other insurers have age limits - for example, with some plans, dependents over the age of 22 get booted off the plan, regardless of their student status.
If you and your child are covered by an HMO, and your child is going away to college in another state or region, you may also want to check and make sure your child can access HMO providers from college. For example, if you are covered by an HMO in Maryland, and your child is going to college in California, your child may not be able to find a doctor or hospital in California that will accept the HMO’s coverage.
Most colleges and universities offer their own student health plans. As a general rule, these plans are reasonably priced, and enrollees should have access to doctors and hospitals near the school. If your child is attending college far away from home, this is one option you should definitely consider.
