Best Health Insurance for College Students

Best overall health insurance for college students

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Pros and cons

• Accepted by over 90% of health care facilities in the U.S.
• Sells Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans in 47 states and the District of Columbia
• Offers a range of plans, benefits and member discounts

• ACA plans are not available in Mississippi, Nebraska or South Dakota
• Overall out-of-pocket costs can be high

What makes Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) so appealing is that over 90% of doctors, specialists and hospitals in the U.S. accept its coverage. Busy college students might find it easier to get covered medical care with BCBS than another company.

For college students who need their own health insurance, BCBS has ACA plans in all but three states: Mississippi, Nebraska and South Dakota. This means nearly every college student has access to a BCBS plan. And if you transfer to a new school, you'll likely be able to find BCBS coverage in your new area. Just keep in mind that your experience with BCBS may vary because each subsidiary company is independently owned and operated.

Depending on your location, you can choose coverage tiers starting with Catastrophic up to a Platinum plan. Some "metal" plans — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum — include optional dental and vision insurance. Catastrophic plans are a specific ACA coverage type. They offer a lower monthly rate, but coverage doesn't start until after you pay the deductible, which is $9,100 in 2023. You may pay more for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans, but you'll have a lower deductible, and the premium can be offset with tax credits.

Along with affordable rates, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers benefits and tools that students may find useful.

Best cheap health insurance for college students

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Pros and cons

• Cheap rates
• Robust website and digital tools

• Individual plans only sold in 22 states
• Appointment and service costs can be high
• No online chat feature

If your budget is tight as a student, finding cheap health insurance may be a bigger priority for you than it is for other age groups. Bronze plans from UnitedHealthcare (UHC) are cheaper than average in about 60% of states where the company operates. Nationally, UHC saves college students about $1,200 per year compared to the average cost of health insurance for a 21-year-old.

UHC is accepted by over 1.3 million doctors and 6,500 offices, hospitals and other medical facilities across the nation, which makes it easy to find covered health care near your campus. UHC sells Bronze, Silver and Gold plans, but isn't currently offering a Platinum option. But UHC still offers some perks that college students might enjoy.

Best short-term insurance

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Pros and cons

• Allows you to visit any health care provider
• Next-day coverage available

• No coverage for preexisting conditions
• No vision, dental or prescription drug coverage
• Only pays up to a pre-set amount

Everest short-term health insurance might be a good option if you only need care for a limited period of time. There's no provider network, which means you can see any doctor you'd like, although using facilities within the Private Healthcare System (PCPS) network may be cheaper.

You can choose your deductible level and coinsurance to fit your needs. You'll also have to choose your maximum limit, which is the most that Everest will pay for your health care during your policy. The limits range from $250,000 to $1.5 million. Everest advertises that plans can cost as little as $85 per month.

Short-term medical plans are also not required to cover preexisting conditions. This means that Everest and other short-term health companies can deny or adjust your coverage based on any health conditions you currently have. Because of this, Everest plans are best for college students in good health without ongoing medical needs.

Because Everest plans are short term, there aren't a lot of additional perks, but a few features stand out.

Best health insurance for international students

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Pros and cons

• Good for F1 and J1 visas
• Offers a range of plan options, from basic to robust coverage
• Some plans include coverage for sports club injuries

• Most plans include a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions
• Some plans exclude coverage within a student's home country
• No available customer review information

Compass and Global Benefits Group (GBG Insurance Limited) together offer health insurance for international students studying in the U.S. Plans start at $43 per month for students up to age 24. The coverage uses the UnitedHealthcare network of over 1 million doctors and 6,500 facilities.

Compass plans are a good option for students on a budget. The basic Savings plan starts at just $43 per month for a student between the ages of 16 and 24. More comprehensive coverage is available, though. The company's Care Ultimate package, for example, starts at $178 per month for a 16- to 24-year-old student and includes check-ups and immunizations.

Compass may be the best insurance for international students, but it doesn't offer many additional benefits. The perks it does offer are geared toward students, though.

Other health insurance options for students

You may not need to buy your own health insurance plan to attend college. There are several alternatives to individual health plans or short-term insurance policies.

Parents' insurance coverage

You can remain on your parents' health insurance plan until age 26. Before you commit to using your parents' plan, check to be sure it covers the area where you're attending school. If not, or if you have aged out of your parents' plan, you'll want to consider your options, such as an individual ACA plan, Medicaid or short-term medical insurance.

School-sponsored student health plans

Student health plans are sold by schools and can be an easy and affordable way to get basic insurance coverage. The rate is usually part of your tuition and fees, so you'll likely need to pay it at the same time you pay your other college costs. Or you may see it included in your student loan amount. To qualify, you must be a full-time student and use campus health providers.

Be aware that not all student health plans are required to cover the 10 essential health benefits mandated by the ACA. Some student health plans are underwritten by actual health insurance companies. These are called "fully insured" plans, and they include the ACA-required essential health benefits.

Some colleges offer "self-insured" student health plans. With these plans, the school acts as the health insurance company and pays the claims for its students. Self-insured student health plans do not have to be ACA-compliant and do not necessarily cover these essential health benefits. Each state regulates self-insured student health plans. The best way to know what is covered is to talk to your university.

Employer-sponsored plans

Employer health insurance plans generally provide robust coverage at affordable rates, so they are a good option for working students. You'll likely have to be a full-time employee to be eligible, and it can be difficult to work full time while attending school. But your employer might offer coverage to part-time employees as well.

Medicaid: an option for low-income students

Medicaid may provide low-income health insurance for students. If you file your own tax returns and your income doesn’t exceed a specific threshold ($18,754 per year in many states), you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid programs are regulated at the state level, which means eligibility requirements vary.

More information about enrolling in an ACA plan

If you've reviewed your other options and need to enroll in an ACA plan, there are some additional things you need to know:

ACA Catastrophic plans

Catastrophic health plans are another marketplace option. These programs have low prices, but the annual deductible — $9,100 in 2023 — is high. To enroll in a Catastrophic plan, you must be either under the age of 30 or qualify for a hardship exemption.

Although Catastrophic plans usually cost less, you can’t use a tax credit to further reduce your cost. Before you choose a Catastrophic plan, check to see if you qualify for a premium tax credit based on your income. If so, a Bronze or Silver plan might be a better value. For example:

Short-term medical insurance

Short-term medical insurance could work well for generally healthy young adults with tight budgets. Short-term plans don't have to comply with ACA regulations, however, and don't have the same level of coverage as marketplace plans. You also could be denied coverage or pay higher rates if you have preexisting conditions, such as diabetes.

Short-term health insurance is regulated by each state. Eleven states do not allow short-term plans, while others regulate short-term medical term lengths and renewals. Check to see if short-term medical insurance is available where you live and how long you can be covered.

Frequently asked questions