Loyola—like most colleges and universities—requires all undergraduate students to provide proof of health insurance before enrolling each academic year. Most families opt for keeping their student on the plan covering the rest of the family, but that’s not always the best choice. Medical coverage is a critical issue, even for those who are young and healthy, so parents should be sure to consider all their options before making a decision.

Employer-provided health insurance plans aren’t always suitable for college students. The plan might not provide the coverage needed when a student is away from home, and could even end in the middle of an academic year once the student reaches a certain age, 19 or 23, for example.  A mid-year change from full-time to part-time status could also affect a student’s medical coverage.

Students need portable health insurance that provides the same coverage in multiple locations. Some family plans, particularly those operated by health maintenance organizations (HMOs), consider a student’s campus health center out of their service area. For example, an HMO plan based in Virginia may not cover non-emergency care in Maryland, requiring the student to return home for all non-emergency medical needs. If a student receives non-emergency care in an out-of-area facility, parents may face big bills for that non-emergency service.

Before making a decision on their sons’ or daughters’ coverage, parents should prepare a detailed comparison of the provisions offered by their family plan versus those available through the college or university. Such a comparison includes premiums, deductibles, co-pays and employer contributions where applicable.

Student health plans are customized for the populations of specific colleges and universities. With employer-sponsored health plan costs rising and some employers dropping dependent coverage altogether, school-sponsored plans will become a more important option for parents and students looking for quality, affordable health insurance coverage.

Loyola’s school-sponsored insurance carrier, Aetna Student Health, recommends that all students’ insurance plans include the following features: access to local and national providers; prescription drug coverage; a 24-hour nurse hotline; medical evacuation; travel abroad coverage; and discounts on dental and vision services. The company also recommends that student plans be free of age restrictions.

Other important steps:

• Review the school’s Web site and other literature for health services information
• Understand the school’s health insurance requirements
• Visit the school’s health services center and identify a campus health contact
• Evaluate available plans’ access to care and level of coverage for a student traveling between home, school and work; don’t forget to consider study abroad
• Consider the costs of carrying an additional dependent on the family plan versus those associated with the school-sponsored plan

Visit www.aetnastudenthealth.com to find out more about Aetna Student Health or call 866-378-8881.