Heading off to college comes with a long checklist—books, classes, roommates, move-in day—but one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is health insurance. Making sure your student has proper coverage can help you avoid unexpected bills and give everyone peace of mind.

Here are the main options to consider:

1. Keep Them on Your Plan—But Check the Details

Under the Affordable Care Act, you can keep your child on your health plan until age 26. This is often the simplest option, but there are some key limitations:

  • If your plan is an HMO, your student may only have emergency coverage while away from home.

  • Telehealth may still be available, but only if your insurer operates in that state.

  • Routine care or specialist visits could be out-of-network, which means higher costs or no coverage at all.

Tip: Call your insurance company and ask how coverage works in the area where your child will be living.

2. Check if the College Offers a Student Health Plan

Many colleges and universities offer student health insurance plans, often at affordable group rates. These plans:

  • Usually meet ACA requirements

  • Include in-network access to campus clinics

  • May be rolled into tuition or billed separately

This can be a convenient, cost-effective solution—especially if your own plan won’t provide good coverage in that area.

3. Consider an Individual Health Plan

If your child doesn’t qualify for a school-sponsored plan or your family income allows them to qualify for subsidies, it might make sense to get them an individual Marketplace plan.

These plans:

  • Can be tailored to the location of their school

  • May qualify for premium subsidies

  • Provide more flexibility and independence

Just be sure to compare costs and networks carefully.

4. Evaluate Their Needs

Some students barely use their health coverage. Others may have chronic conditions or take prescriptions regularly. Think about:

  • Proximity to providers

  • Prescription needs

  • Mental health support

  • Whether your student prefers to handle care independently or rely on help from home

Final Thoughts

Health insurance for college students isn’t one-size-fits-all. Take time to weigh your options, ask questions, and consider where your child will be living and what type of care they may need. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about making sure they’re protected when it counts.