Health insurance will be the last thing on your mind while you’re young and in school. However, as a university student, it’s critical to get insurance in case of an emergency so that you don’t end up with even more debt. Young adults have the greatest incidence of uninsured people of any age group; in fact, around 30% of young adults do not have health insurance, putting them at risk if they have medical expenditures. 1 The median cost of repairing a broken limb is $7,500, while a three-day hospitalization costs a whopping $30,000. You’ll have to foot the entire amount if you don’t have health insurance. When you’re at college, you have several options for medical insurance, including coverage via your families’ plan or through insurance provided by your university. You can seek insurance on your own if you don’t really have accessibility to such types of plans. We looked at 17 health insurance options and businesses and ranked them based on plan pricing, insurance options, and service coverage to help you pick the best insurance policy for your requirements. These are the top insurances for college students that we’ve found.

1. Cigna

Pre-existing illnesses always are covered by Cigna plans bought throughout its website or Healthcare.gov, and as a university student, you could be eligible for benefits that make the insurance considerably more inexpensive. You probably may not have much money as a student. If that’s the situation, you may be eligible for premium funds to help you purchase your plan. Cigna’s plans are organized into levels, with bronze to platinum insurance available. Bronze policies are the most economical, whereas platinum policies pay better insurance payments but lower deductibles. Cigna’s plans all offer $0 preventative care, so you won’t have to pay extra for an annual exam, flu vaccine, or health screenings. Cigna also provides reduced-price virtual care, which allows you to talk to a board-certified physician over the telephone or via video chat. Because Cigna’s full insurance provides more advantages for less money, it is our overall favorite. Some individuals may be eligible for Cigna discounts, but not all university students will. Scholarships are determined based on your family’s income. If your family makes too much money and you’re a dependent, you may not be qualified for a discount but may have to pay the whole monthly premium. When you get coverage from Cigna, you have the option of choosing between HMO plans that require you to stay in the community or PPO plans that provide you greater flexibility.

2. Aetna

If you’re a university student on a shoestring budget, Aetna’s catastrophic coverage can be a good fit. The federal Health Insurance Marketplace is where catastrophic coverage can be bought. 4 They feature lower monthly payments than typical insurance policies, which makes them attractive to low-income individuals. In the insurance sector, Aetna has a solid track record. Aetna receives an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. Aetna’s high deductible plans include some prevention programs, such as immunizations and tests, as well as three primary care doctor visits each year. Insurance coverage has large deductibles ($8,550 in 2021), but they cover serious situations that might cost a lot of money, such as sickness or injuries that necessitate hospitalization. In 2022, Aetna will resume marketing ACA plans, with deductibles expected to be greater than in 2021. Because catastrophic coverage, unlike other private insurance bought via the Health Insurance Marketplace, are not qualified for the premium tax credit rebate, you will be responsible for paying your monthly payments in full.

3. Everest

For university students, short-term health plans might be a cost-effective substitute for conventional medical insurance. You can receive temporary protection for much less than the expense of a commercial insurance plan with a short-term policy. Everest provides customized short-term insurance policies, making it the best alternative for short-term protection. You can select a threshold between $1,000 and $10,000, as well as a copay between $40 and $50, allowing you to tailor your rate to match your needs. You can also set your own large coverage level. You can pick a maximum of $250,000 to $1.5 million, depending on your needs. Everest’s short-term initiatives, on the other hand, have some disadvantages. Prescription medication coverage, eye care, and dental treatments are not included. Your insurer will not cover your therapies if you have a pre-existing illness. Everest’s plans are suitable for university students who are in excellent health and do not have continuous medical needs because of these limitations.

4. IMG

If you’re a foreign grad student in the U. S., it’s critical to have decent health insurance. Medical treatment can be extremely expensive if you fall ill or are involved in a crash. IMG has a variety of insurance policies for foreign students that you can personalize to match your specific needs, all of which are insured by the Sirius International Insurance Company. Prescription medicine coverage is also included in its plans, enabling you to obtain vital drugs while in the U. S. For an extra fee, IMG allows users to add other insurance choices and riders to your policy. Theft or loss of your bags, jewelry, or personal effects is covered by add-on insurance. It also protects you from liability protection. Further coverages may be available depending on the policy type, region, and other circumstances. You’ll be covered if you participate in dangerous activities like bobsledding, paragliding, rapids kayaking, or windsurfing if you add the extreme sports riders to your policy. You can specify the maximum limit varying from $50,000 to $8 million, according to the plan you choose. Nevertheless, the J1 and J2 visas both need a least $100,000 in insurance coverage.

5. Blue Cross BlueShield

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) provides health insurance to more than 110 million people across the nation. BCBSA was a clear choice for one of our best overall picks because of its student-specific plans, cheaper insurance alternatives, a wide range of features, and reward structure. The BCBSA is made up of 35 separate organizations, the majority of which have an A financial health grade from AM Best (Excellent). When you enter your ZIP code on the BCBSA site, you will be taken to your local distributor. You can choose between tiers of insurance ranging from disastrous to fully comprehensive platinum, based on your region. Dental and optical insurance can also be added to your plan.

6. Pivot

Students’ routines are frequently demanding and diverse. Finding time to see a physician isn’t an issue with Pivot because you can use their 24-hour telemedicine service or schedule a meeting with any doctor who is available. Pivot is our favorite short-term health insurance provider for students because of its flexible and cost-effective coverage.

The deductible begins at $1,000. There is a 20% or 30% contribution when you visit a doctor or obtain other qualified medical services. Before the plan reimbursement limit is reached, Pivot caps the amount you’ll pay out-of-pocket with coinsurance at between $3,000 and $10,000.

7. Tokio Marine HCC Medical Insurance Services

Learners from other nations learning in the United States need appropriate health insurance. It may be a necessity of the patient’s visa or the institution, but even if it isn’t, it’s prudent protection against the astronomical costs of an illness or accident. Tokio Marine is our best alternative for overseas students since they offer low-cost, high-benefit insurance for traveling students around the United States. Unnatural death and crisis reaction riders are available from Tokio Marine, and liability coverage insurance is included along with some plans. Student Secure offers four categories of insurance to students aged 18 to 65. Smart Cover is by far the most standard package, providing coverage up to $200,000, while Complete Elite insurance provides coverage up to $5 million. If the insured is a full-time student, policies of any duration are offered, and insurance starts on the start date you choose.

8. Medicaid

Medicaid is a social-welfare program that gives low-income people comprehensive government-sponsored health insurance. Medicaid is, in most situations, free health care for individuals who apply. There are no or selected to minimize in the form of premiums or copayments, in addition to zero premiums.

Medicaid operates a little differently in each state, but you must meet low-income standards to be eligible, which change depending on things, including age, pregnancy, and whether or not you’re disabled.

9. Affordable Care Act Subsidy

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers federal subsidies to make health coverage more affordable for consumers who purchase their own coverage through an exchange or platform. Premium tax breaks (premium subsidies) offset some or all of the premium costs, and cost-sharing reductions (CSR) lessen the out-of-pocket expenses that some participants spend when they need medical treatment, according to the legislation.

Self-purchased health insurance has become significantly more inexpensive as a result of these subsidies. However, only a small percentage of people get their own insurance. The majority of Americans acquire their health insurance from their work or the government (Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP).