Are you required to take the health insurance offered by your medical school? Even if under 26 and on parent's health insurance?

[Silly Goose]

I am currently on my parents health insurance as I am under 26 and it doesn't cost them any more to have me on the policy because my little sister is on there and 1 child is the same price as 2.*

I will hopefully be starting medical school fall of 2020. I will be in med school for about a year and a half before turning 26.

As I prepare for AMCAS/AACOMAS and research schools, I see health insurance listed in the listed with fees and such in addition to tuition. I know the fees aren't optional, is the health insurance? It seems to average around $3,000 per year (guesstimate), I would much rather stay on my parents.

1) Can I stay on my parents health insurance until I am 26 and not pay the health insurance fee to the med school?

2) If so, when it's time to switch over when I turn 26 in December of 2021, can I pick up the school's health insurance in the middle of the year?

3) If I can stay on my parents health insurance until I am 26 despite being in med school, is there any reason not to that I am missing? Is the student health insurance more amazing than free to me?

4) When my spouse turns 26 in 2023 can I pick him up on my student insurance?

5) Once I am on the student health insurance, rather sooner or later, how is it billed? Does it get looped in with my account with the school and therefore lump into my inevitable med school debt or can we make monthly payments like regular insurance?

-Thank you! Google and the AAMC were unable to readily find me these answers. I either got results about the AHA in general or med school in general.

*I would like to pause to acknowledge that I am very thankful for my parents health insurance through my father's good job and do try not to take it for granted as I have not always been this fortunate and I know many others are not as fortunate.

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[differentiating]

It might depend on the school, but mine allowed me to waive the school’s health insurance while i was on my parents’. I don’t know the details about enrolling afterward, as I will graduate before I age out. That being said, some of my older friends used MediCal when they turned 26 because it was cheaper.

 

[ciestar]

1. Probably, my school allowed you to apply for a waiver if you had a compliant policy
2. My school let me.
3. Doubtful. They just budget it in if you need it. I was almost 26 when i started med school, so, I was someone that had to budget for this.
4. Possibly? It depends on the policy. My spouse is on mine because my school plan is immensely better than his work plan.
5. Im sure it varies, but at my school the premium is an upfront payment all at once put on my tuition bill.

 

[lalalallala]

If you already have health insurance, you do not need to pay for the school's insurance.You will however have to fill out a waiver

 

[SDunkey]

Spousal carryover will depend on the policy, but most schools let you use your own insurance. So you can be under your parents until 26, and then get your own insurance afterwards if you don't like the one the school has.

 

[DMPP123]

1. Yes
2. Losing your parents insurance at 26 is considered a “qualifying event” that allows you to enroll in another insurance plan without having to wait for the enrollment period.
3. I would stay on your parents insurance as long as you can
4. Your spouse losing their insurance coverage at 26 is a qualifying event, so he/she can be added to your insurance as soon as that happens
5. My schools insurance is an upfront payment billed twice per year (Spring/Summer coverage and then Fall/Winter coverage). I’m not sure if every school is like that though.

 

[raiderette]

I was able to waive my medical insurance with my husband's plan this year. Most of my fellow students got waivers for parental insurance. You do need to recertify every year, though.

 

[Silly Goose]

That is super helpful, thank you everyone!

 

[I GET BUCKETS]

I am not on my parent's health insurance and therefore, I pay for my health insurance. Does this mean that I can waive the school's health insurance?

 

[proudofmykids]

Interesting, how are you a dependent of your parents while married? (to qualify under their insurance?)

 

[rdyotz]

I am not on my parent's health insurance and therefore, I pay for my health insurance. Does this mean that I can waive the school's health insurance?

Yes, you can waive health insurance, but need to provide proof. Make sure your insurance covers you if you move to a new area.