Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before covering insurance, Les was a news editor and reporter for Patch and Community Newspaper Company and also covered health care, mortgages, credit cards and personal loans for multiple websites.
Les Masterson
Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before covering insurance, Les was a news editor and reporter for Patch and Community Newspaper Company and also covered health care, mortgages, credit cards and personal loans for multiple websites.
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
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Ashlee Valentine
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company for college students, according to our analysis of six major health insurers.
College students may need health insurance for a variety of reasons—from routine care to expensive medical treatments. But with all the different options out there, it can be hard to know which plan is right. So with that in mind, we analyzed data to find the best options for college students.
Read more
Show Summary
- Summary: The Best Health Insurance Companies for College Students
- Best Health Insurance for College Students
- Health Insurance Options for College Students
- What Does Health Insurance for College Students Cost?
- Methodology
- Other Health Insurance Companies We Rated
- Best Health Insurance for College Students Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Summary: The Best Health Insurance Companies for College Students
Best Health Insurance for College Students
Health Insurance Options for College Students
College students have multiple options for health insurance. We’ve outlined the pros and cons of each below so you can weigh your choices carefully before making a decision.
Parent’s Health Insurance Plan
Students can stay on a parent’s health insurance plan until age 26—even if they’re not a dependent. For many students, this is the easiest and best student health insurance.
There may be some instances in which this isn’t ideal. For example, HMO plans typically require that individuals receive care from a network of providers. If a parent has an HMO and a student is going to college out of state, there may not be in-network providers in that area. So, the student may have to explore other options.
If a parent has a PPO—or can switch to one—a student may be able to stay on their plan and still have adequate coverage. PPOs have more flexibility and generally allow you to go out-of-network if you’re willing to pay a higher deductible, coinsurance or copay.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Often the most affordable option. | May not have in-network providers near you if you go to college out of state. |
| Students can stay on a parent’s plan until age 26. | It’s your parent’s plan, so you may lack privacy regarding your healthcare claims. |
| May not cost extra if the parent already has a family plan. | Plan is connected to parent’s employer, so you could lose coverage if there’s a job loss. |
School-Sponsored Student Health Plans
Many colleges and universities offer student health insurance plans. These plans can be a great option for students, as they’re often more affordable than private health insurance.
Most school-sponsored plans comply with the Affordable Care Act, which means they cover 10 essential health benefits, including preventive services, doctor’s visits, emergency services, hospitalizations, prescription drug coverage, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health services and rehabilitation services.
You can also lump the price into your tuition and fees, so you don’t have to worry about paying monthly premiums while in school. On the other hand, you could end up paying interest on your premiums if you roll your student health plan into your student loans.
Visit your school’s website or contact the student affairs office for more information to see if your school offers a student health insurance plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| May be more affordable than getting coverage through the health insurance marketplace at HealthCare.gov. | May lose coverage when the semester or school year ends. |
| Good for on-campus care. | Could pay interest on premiums if they’re rolled into student loans. |
| Price is lumped in with tuition and fees, so you don’t have to worry about a monthly bill. |
Health Insurance Through a Spouse or Domestic Partner
If you’re married or in a domestic partnership, you may be eligible to enroll in your spouse or partner’s health insurance plan. This can be an affordable way to get health insurance since employers often pay a significant portion of employees’ health insurance premiums.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Typically comprehensive coverage. | You have to be married or in a domestic partnership to qualify. |
| Employers often pay more than half of healthcare costs. | Your coverage will be tied to your spouse or partner’s employment. |
| Having one plan means you don’t have to juggle two health plans with different rules. |
Health Insurance Plan Through a Job
If you’re planning on working during college, getting coverage through an employer could be a good way for a student to get affordable health insurance. Employers generally pay more than half of premiums, making it a more affordable option than getting health insurance through a private insurer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many employers offer part-time employees health insurance. | May only be eligible if you work a certain number of hours per week. |
| Can be a good option if you plan to work while in college. | You would lose coverage if you quit your job to focus on school or other matters. |
| Gets you accustomed to having your own health insurance and learning the ins and outs. | Can be more expensive than staying on a parent’s plan. |
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance
Another way to get health insurance as a college student is through the Affordable Care Act marketplace at HealthCare.gov. All ACA plans cover preventative services, pre-existing conditions and these 10 essential health benefits:
- Ambulatory patient/outpatient services.
- Emergency services.
- Hospitalization.
- Laboratory services.
- Maternity and newborn care.
- Mental health and substance use disorders, including behavioral health treatment
- Pediatric services, including vision and oral care.
- Prescription drugs.
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management.
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices.
You can purchase an ACA health insurance plan during open enrollment, which begins on Nov. 1 and ends on Jan. 15 in most states.
If you miss the open enrollment window, you may be eligible for special enrollment if you’ve recently experienced a qualifying event—such as losing your parents’ coverage, switching jobs or moving to a different ZIP code.
One disadvantage of ACA health insurance is that it can be expensive if you don’t qualify for subsidies. In most cases, you won’t qualify for a subsidy if you file taxes as a dependent because your parents’ income is combined with yours. Use the federal government’s health insurance marketplace calculator to see if you qualify for any subsidies.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be purchased through the ACA marketplace. | May be more expensive than other insurance types, especially if you don’t qualify for subsidies. |
| Coverage isn’t tied to employment or school status. | Subsidies generally aren’t available to dependents. |
| You may qualify for subsidies to reduce cost. |
ACA Catastrophic Plans
Catastrophic health insurance plans are designed to protect individuals from high medical costs in the event of an accident or illness. They’re available to anyone under age 30 (unless you qualify for a hardship waiver).
Catastrophic plans offer similar comprehensive coverage to plans found in the ACA marketplace, but catastrophic plans have exorbitant out-of-pocket costs through a high deductible. You have to pay the annual deductible before the plan begins paying for healthcare services.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Usually cheaper than other options. | High deductible. |
| Good for emergency coverage. | Not ideal if you have a chronic condition. |
| Can protect you from spiraling medical costs if you’re injured or sick since it has an out-of-pocket maximum. | |
| if you’re injured or sick since it has an out-of-pocket maximum. |
Medicaid
If you’re a low-income student, you may be eligible for Medicaid—a government health insurance program. Requirements vary by state, but you may qualify for Medicaid if your income is below 138% of the federal poverty level.
Eligibility is based on your household income. This includes your parents’ pay if you’re a dependent.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides free or low-cost health insurance if you’re eligible. | Eligibility is based on household income. |
| Comprehensive coverage. | May have trouble finding in-network providers. |
Short-Term Medical Insurance
If you need health insurance for a short period—such as during summer break or until ACA open enrollment begins—a short-term health insurance plan may be a good option if you’re healthy and don’t use many healthcare services.
Short-term health insurance plans are typically less expensive than private health insurance plans. However, they usually don’t cover pre-existing conditions or certain services like mental health, prescriptions and maternity care.
It’s important to check with the insurer before you buy a policy to ensure that you’re covered for any services you may need.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Often cheaper premiums than other options. | High deductibles mean higher out-of-pocket costs. |
| Helps bridge coverage gaps between jobs. | Limited coverage with exclusions, such as not covering pre-existing conditions or services like prescriptions and mental health. |
| Not allowed in some states. |
What Does Health Insurance for College Students Cost?
The average monthly health insurance cost for a plan through the ACA marketplace for a 21-year-old is:
- $327 for a bronze plan.
- $428 for a silver plan.
- $558 for a gold plan.
- $248 for a catastrophic health plan.
Student Health Insurance Plan Costs for the 2023-2024 School Year
Examples of health insurance costs for school-offered plans.
| School | Annual health insurance cost (fall and spring semesters) |
|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | $2,997 |
| Harvard University | $4,120 |
| New York University | $4,346 |
| Ohio State University | $3,592 |
| Rutgers University | $2,741 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $3,858 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $1,568 |
| University of Texas at Austin | $2,502 |
Source: Forbes Advisor analysis of mandatory or basic health plan for single coverage 2023-2024 school year.
The cost of health insurance for college students varies depending on several factors, such as the type of plan you choose, your age, where you live and whether you receive subsidies. School-sponsored insurance may be the next most affordable option.
How to Find the Best Health Insurance for College Students
Mark Fendrick
Advisory Board Member
Ross Weiler
Forbes Advisor board member
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Figure Out Your Medical Care Needs
For those over 26 or who don’t have a parent’s plan to join, I suggest that you do the best you can to assess your likely medical care needs (e.g. clinician visits, lab work, medications) before choosing a lower premium plan. The low monthly premium might appear attractive, but the total out-of-pocket costs for those with predictable medical services are often higher than a higher premium plan. Higher premium plans usually come with lower cost-sharing amounts due to deductibles and copayments that must be paid when clinical services are used.
Mark Fendrick
Advisory Board Member
Compare Plans on the ACA Marketplace
If you’re unable to stay on your parents’ plan, try contacting the health insurance marketplace in the state where you go to school. Some states operate their own, while others use the federal marketplace. These marketplaces, created by the Affordable Care Act, allow eligible individuals and families to shop for and enroll in health insurance coverage online. They also offer subsidies that may reduce the cost of coverage for people who qualify.
Ross Weiler
Forbes Advisor board member
Stay on Your Parent's Plan if You Can
I’ve found that staying on a parent’s plan is often the easiest and cheapest way to get coverage. Review the plan’s provider network to make sure there are providers near your college. If not, you may need to explore other options like a school-sponsored plan, an ACA plan or coverage through an employer if you’re working.
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Compare Costs
When comparing health insurance plans, it’s important to consider more than just the monthly premium. I also suggest weighing the plan’s deductible, copays, coinsurance and coverage options. This will help you find the best health insurance plan for your needs.
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Talk to a Health Insurance Agent or Broker
If you’re having trouble finding the right health insurance plan, I would consider talking to an independent health insurance agent or broker. Agents and brokers are trained professionals who can help you compare health insurance plans and find the best option for your needs.
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Methodology
We analyzed 84 data points about coverage and quality for six large health insurance companies to determine the best health insurance companies. Our ratings are based on:
- Average monthly premiums for bronze plans for a 21-year-old (30% of score): Source: HealthCare.gov.
- Complaints made to state insurance departments (25% of score): We used complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Plan ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (25% of score): The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits health plans and produces ratings based on specific metrics, including patient experience, prevention, treatment, overall rating of the health plan and rating of care. We collected ratings for each company’s rated plans and devised an average for the company.
- Average bronze plan deductible (20% of score): The deductible is how much you have to pay for healthcare in a year before the health plan begins picking up a portion of the costs. Companies with health plans that had low deductibles got more points. Source: HealthCare.gov.
Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates health insurance companies
Other Health Insurance Companies We Rated
Here are other health insurance companies we analyzed as part of our research.
Find The Best Health Insurance Companies Of 2024
Best Health Insurance for College Students Frequently Asked Questions
Do college students need health insurance?
Many states and colleges require students to have health insurance before they can begin classes. This is why many colleges offer school-sponsored plans for students who need coverage. But even if a school doesn’t require it, having health insurance is an important part of staying healthy and safe in college.
You never know when you may break your arm playing intramural sports, catch the flu from your dorm mate or have your allergies flare up. Having the best health insurance for students can cover the cost of medical expenses like doctor visits, prescription medications and emergency services.
Can college students use their parents’ health insurance?
Yes, college students can stay on a parent’s health insurance plan until age 26. People under 26 can live elsewhere and even be married but still stay on a parent’s health plan.
Do college students receive free health care?
Colleges and universities charge a premium for student health insurance plans (SHIP). You may qualify for free healthcare if you meet eligibility requirements for low-income health insurance like Medicaid.
Do college students risk facing tax penalties for being uninsured?
California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia have tax penalties if you don’t have health insurance. Vermont has a health insurance mandate, but no tax penalty is involved.
The Affordable Care Act initially included a tax penalty for not having health insurance in all states, but Congress removed the tax penalty.
