Is There a College Student in Your Life?

If so, chances are they are busy packing and headed off to school, unless they have already left for the fall semester. It is a rather chaotic time in a household and it is very easy to “forget” about health insurance. Will there health insurance go with them to school? Don’t leave home without your id. card.

FULL TIME STUDENTS

If your child has been covered under a group plan through your employer or your spouses’ employer, you should check to see to what age your child can remain on your plan. This age can vary from carrier to carrier, so it is best to check with the human resources department of the employer who sponsors the plan to find out the specific age limits for your plan. Most carriers do allow the child to remain on the plan as long as they are enrolled in an accredited school as a full time student. You will need to prove “student status”. Again, check with the benefits department or the insurance company directly to find out what their requirements are and how it must be submitted. Most carriers require a letter from the registrar’s office, and while some will accept faxed copies, others want the original with the school seal. If you submit what you consider to be proof but it is not what the insurance company requires, do not be surprised when “Junior’s” claims are suspended pending proof. Our office has advised many, many people of exactly what their particular carrier requires, and yet we receive back all sorts of other stuff that will not be acceptable. If the carrier wants a letter from the registrar’s office, that is what is needed. Do not think that the letter of acceptance, tuition bill, or a website print-out listing your child as a student in the English Department will do the trick. Keep in mind also, that this needs to be submitted each semester. The insurance companies do not assume that if Charley started this year he will graduate 4 years later. Mark your calendar for the beginning of each semester and get the necessary proof from the school and send to your health insurance carrier. Better yet, if you have an agent who is actively involved in your health insurance plan, send it to him/her. They will make sure it gets to the right department.

PART TIME STUDENTS

If your child is a part-time student, which is usually defined as less than 12 credits per semester, he/she will not be able to continue benefits under most group health insurance plans. In this case, you should first check with your insurance company to ascertain if your child is eligible to remain on the plan under COBRA. The COBRA law allows continuation of coverage for 36 months as long as your employer employs over 20 employees. If this is not the case, your student has two other choices. If the student is employed, he/she may be able to go on his or her employer health insurance plan. Your next choice is to purchase an individual health insurance policy.

SCHOOL SPONSORED PLANS

Some colleges and universities offer health insurance for students at a very minimal premium. This is usually minimal coverage. Keep in mind the old adage that says, “you usually get what you pay for.” If you are offered student health insurance, be sure to read and understand all of the information that comes with the offer. If your child is adequately insured through your group health insurance plan, in most cases this university health insurance will not be necessary at all. Many of the student plans that our office has reviewed over the years are simply not adequate. I have seen a few that offer decent coverage, and on the rare occasion, even a good one. Be sure to review the policy before enrolling or declining such coverage. If you do not understand it, you may wish to seek guidance from a licensed insurance agent who can help you interpret the benefits.

Irene Card & Betsy Chandler share the responsibilities of running Medical Insurance Claims, Inc. a health insurance services company. If you have questions relative to this column or other related topics, we invite you to call (973) 492-2828, browse our past columns on our web site at www.micinsurance.com.

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