Student Health Insurance Information

How can college students meet their needs with a Student insurance plan?
No matter what your specific needs, a Student health insurance plan can provide you with a valuable health insurance solution. Here are some examples illustrating how a Student health plan (e.g. the Student Select plan offered by Assurant Health) might help you:

• College-Sponsored Plans that are too "Bare-Bones"
  At college, the you might be outside of the HMO network region of his parents' health insurance plan, but Jack's parents want to make sure he has adequate health coverage. They did some research and found that the health insurance plan offered through the college is too "bare bones," with lots of limitations on coverage. Your situation is ideal for Student Select. It was designed specifically for students who need greater coverage at an affordable rate while attending college. The Student Select plan offers a choice of deductibles, and because it is not an HMO or PPO plan, you can pick the doctor or hospital he wishes to visit. The plan allows for up to $1 million in protection for eligible expenses, including in-hospital and outpatient services, emergency care and surgery.
• Can't Afford a Traditional Individual Health Insurance Plan
  You will be attending college next semester. Your school requires that you have some type of health insurance prior to the start of school. However, you don't have health insurance through your parents. And, you just can't afford the cost of a traditional individual health insurance plan. You can't risk going without coverage, but you need a plan that will fit her tight budget. In many cases, Student Select costs less than a traditional individual health insurance plan. It was designed specifically for students who need quality coverage at an affordable rate while attending college.
• Graduate Student No Longer Eligible for Parents' Plan
  You are in graduate school and is about to turn 24-years old. You just found out that once you do, you will no longer be covered under your parents' health plan. Your parents are worried about you not having health insurance. Student Select is ideal for your health insurance situation. The plan is available to full-time graduate students and coverage can be obtained as early as the next day. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. Best of all, Student Select is guaranteed renewable. This means that, provided that you continue to attended school full time for 31 days after the policy effective date, you can keep the plan as long as you need it, as long as premiums are paid. This is important after graduation while looking for a job.

Which doctors or hospitals can I visit on a Student Health Insurance plan?
Since a Student health plan (e.g. a Student Select plan offered by Assurant Health) is not an HMO or PPO plan, you can visit the doctor or hospital of your choice. No referrals are needed, no out-of-network penalties are incurred ... the choice is yours!

Do healthcare services need to be preauthorized?
Yes. The insurance company (Assurant Health) uses an authorization service which ensures you receive the most appropriate and cost effective care available. Trained staff work with you and your physicians to review the course of treatment and advise you of your eligibility for benefits. The identification card you receive with your policy provides a toll-free number for easy access to this service.

Who can purchase Student health insurance plan?
You must be an eligible college student between the ages of 17 to 29 to purchase a Student health insurance plan. An eligible undergraduate student is defined as a person carrying at least nine credit hours. An eligible graduate student must meet the graduate student guidelines of the college or university for full-time student status. Students must attend a state-accredited college or university in the United States.

Are foreign exchange student eligible for coverage?
Yes, as long as you are attending school in the United States and meet the eligible student requirements defined above.

Can I add my family members (spouse and dependents) to my policy?
The Student insurance plans are designed for individual college students only and do not cover spouses and/or dependents. Student plans do, however, comply with any state requirements for the coverage of newborns. If you have a spouse who is also a full-time college student, a separate application can be submitted for that person.

As a parent, should I purchase a Student insurance plan for my child, or cover them through my standard medical plan?
An informed answer depends on several factors. You may want to consider a separate Student plan for your child if one or more of the following apply to you:

• The HMO or PPO network for your insurance plan does not have physician or hospital coverage in the area around your child's college.
• Your child is nearing the age at which he or she can no longer be covered under your plan. Often times this is around 24 years of age, but you should check with your insurance company to find out the specific age limits for your current policy.
• The cost savings of removing your child from your insurance plan is greater than the cost of the separate Student insurance plan. To determine if this is the case, get a quote on this website for a Student plan for your child, and then compare that to the cost savings of removing your child from your standard medical plan (you may need to contact your insurance company to determine this amount).

A separate Student plan may not be appropriate if:

• You are currently satisfied with the coverage, cost, and benefits of your current medical plan
• Your child has a pre-existing medical condition. In most cases, expenses relating to pre-existing conditions will not be covered by the Student plan until the policy has been in effect for 12 months.

Am I covered year-round, or just while school is in session?
With a Student insurance plan you're covered year-round, not just during the school term. And, if for some reason, you have to leave school, your coverage stays with you for the remainder of the policy year... and then it's guaranteed renewable.

Will I be covered when I go out of state?
A Student insurance plan travels with you anywhere in the United States, its possessions, and Canada. And, although it does not cover you in a foreign country, a Student plan does cover you for an emergency medical evacuation to the home country or a facility operating within its laws.

What happens if I transfer schools?
If you need to transfer schools, your Student coverage moves with you. Student coverage is not tied to any one school. There's no need to change coverage or re-apply. In fact, you're covered when traveling anywhere in the United States, its possessions, or Canada.

Will coverage be in jeopardy if I drop a class?
No, as long you met the definition of an eligible student on the date the application was signed, you attended school full-time for 31 days after the policy effective date, and the premium is paid in full.

If I graduate or drop out of school, will I lose my coverage?
No, provided that you attended school full-time for 31 days after the policy effective date, your Student policy stays with you for as long as you need it and, of course, as long as premiums are paid.

How far in advance of the beginning of school can I apply?
You can apply as soon as you are enrolled as an eligible student. But, keep in mind the full premium must be paid with the application. The policy will be sent out as soon as it is issued. We would prefer that the application not be completed more than 60 days prior to the requested effective date.

How many times can the insurance plan be renewed?
Student health insurance is renewable as long as you need it. Whereas most college plans only cover you until you graduate or very shortly thereafter, the Student plans offered on our site can be renewed as long as they're needed... as long as your premiums are paid.