Student Health Insurance: Best Coverage for College Students

College life brings new experiences, responsibilities, and independence, but it also comes with healthcare needs that cannot be ignored. Whether studying close to home or abroad, students require reliable health coverage to protect against unexpected medical expenses. 

Student health insurance plans are designed specifically to offer affordable and comprehensive care, covering everything from routine check-ups to emergency treatments. Choosing the best coverage ensures peace of mind and allows students to focus on what matters most, their education.

Read this blog to learn what the best health insurance coverage is for college students. 

What is student health insurance?

It is a specific type of health insurance plan designed to provide financial security to students during medical emergencies. With a comprehensive plan, students can avail financial coverage for accidents, injuries, pre- and post-hospitalisation, daycare procedures, OPD, ambulance and emergency expenses and so on. 

The most significant factor about a student plan is that it is more budget-friendly than medical insurance for families. Students who live abroad for studying purposes can also purchase this type of insurance to be prepared for life’s uncertainties. In addition, getting health insurance is a mandatory requirement for a visa. 

What are the Types of Student Health Insurance?

If you are looking for a student health plan, the following are its types: 

1. Private Health Insurance: Compared to family medical insurance, these types of plans are cost-effective and have broad coverage. 

1. University-Sponsored Health Insurance: Many universities provide health insurance to international students. These are a bit expensive, and the costs are included in the tuition fees. 

What is the Best Coverage for Student Health Insurance?

If you are a college student and looking for a suitable health insurance plan, check out the following to know what the best coverage is:

1. High Insured Sum

A health insurance with a high insured sum refers to the maximum coverage a student will receive from the policy during medical emergencies. For example, if a 20-year-old student gets diagnosed with typhoid and requires hospital admission, the student will get financial coverage based on the insured sum mentioned in the policy.

1. Premium Amount

A policy with a lower premium often has less coverage. Therefore, choosing comprehensive coverage, despite a higher price, is more effective. Compare different insurers thoroughly. Additionally, using a BMI calculator can help assess health and guide your coverage needs. 

1. Automatic Renewability

Choosing a policy with automatic renewability is hassle-free. The students can focus on their academics without worrying about the renewal date of their health insurance plan. Insurance experts always suggest purchasing policies with longer renewability.  

1. Availability of Cashless Hospitalisation

A cashless hospitalisation helps a student to avail of treatments at a network hospital during emergencies without paying anything upfront. Based on the policy terms, as soon as the student informs the insurer, they will arrange the payment related to the treatments. 

1. No Waiting Period

Certain medical treatments, like LASIK eye surgeries and dental treatments, come with a waiting period. Insurance plans with no waiting period are much safer. Checking with the insurer beforehand helps.

1. Broad Coverage

When it comes to coverage, medical insurance for families and a comprehensive student health plan have some differences. The student health plan particularly highlights health emergencies, such as injuries, accidents, sudden illness and OPD expenses of the student. 

1. Simple Claim Process

Insurers with a higher claim settlement ratio and a seamless claim process are easy to work with. Students already have academic concerns during an emergency, and if they have to worry about claims, it will raise their stress. So, opting for an insurer that assures simple claim settlement is crucial. 

1. Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation

The expenses incurred for pre- and post-hospitalisation are quite high. There are pathology, diagnosis, medicines, and therapy. So, choosing student health insurance that has pre- and post-hospitalisation coverage is a smart move. 

1. Accessible Discounts

Some insurers offer discounts for a long-term insurance plan. If you are a student and planning to study abroad, you already know how long your course is. Based on that, if you purchase a long-term health plan, it will help your savings. Comparing quotes from different insurers will help find insurance plans with discounts. 

Why is it Necessary to Have Student Health Insurance?

The following are reasons why students must have a health insurance plan:

1. Financial Protection During Unexpected Health Emergencies

Health insurance plans help students remain prepared for unexpected health emergencies. That way, they can handle the situation independently with quality healthcare. Especially for students who live alone or abroad, it gives them mental peace. 

1. Mental Health Support

Academic concerns sometimes lead to hypertension and stress. During these times, having mental health and well-being support is beneficial. A comprehensive health insurance plan allows students to get access to counselling and therapy. 

1. Treatment Continuance 

Students living abroad sometimes need to return to their home countries for treatment purposes. Medical insurance provides financial coverage for prescribed continuous treatment up to 30 days.

1. Student Visa Mandate

Students who aspire to study abroad need to have health insurance that provides coverage for a certain amount. It is a mandatory requirement for a visa.  

1. Financial Aids for Family Visits

When a student gets sick or requires emergency medical care while studying abroad, insurance covers the travel expenses for their parents’ visit. 

Bottom Line

Student health insurance premiums depend on multiple factors, necessitating clarity on individual requirements. Notifying the insurer about pre-existing conditions at purchase can secure coverage after a waiting period. The Abha Card is useful, digitizing medical records for easier sharing with insurers, potentially streamlining underwriting. Finally, explore different options, comparing coverage and prices before purchasing.