Best option for health insurance as med student

[AthleteDoc7]

Hopefully this isn't against the rules here, but I'm not sure who else to ask. If so, sorry!

I'll be booted off my parents health insurance next month when I turn 26. what's the best route to go for health insurance after that? should i take it out through my school (seems very expensive), or should I try signing up for Obamacare or something like that? anyone have anything they did that worked out for them? i appreciate any tips, thanks!

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[raiderette]

Look at ACA first, since it will be cheaper than a private plan. Otherwise, get a roommate and suck it up buttercup.

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

.

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

Hopefully this isn't against the rules here, but I'm not sure who else to ask. If so, sorry!

I'll be booted off my parents health insurance next month when I turn 26. what's the best route to go for health insurance after that? should i take it out through my school (seems very expensive), or should I try signing up for Obamacare or something like that? anyone have anything they did that worked out for them? i appreciate any tips, thanks!

See if your state has a health insurance marketplace.

I was in a unique situation when I turned 26: I had about 9 months (less than 1 year) before I would be entering a residency and receiving insurance through them. I also have no maintenance medications or pre-existing conditions. I have no dependents. I also do not file income tax since I have no income.

Therefore:
I could buy a catastrophe plan not approved by the ACA.
I would not have to pay the lack-of-insurance federal penalty since I do not file income taxes.

There are lots of TEMPORARY, short-term medical catastrophe insurance plans out there not approved by the ACA that are very affordable. My 9 months of coverage until July 1st cost about $394 total.

There are caveats though: These plans can only cover you for 1 year. You MUST read the fine print of the contract about what is covered/not covered. The insurance I bought basically covers catastrophic medical events: trauma mainly. You must also search your local area for the hospitals & providers that accept your plan.

It is better than having nothing.

 

[gcuddles]

Hopefully this isn't against the rules here, but I'm not sure who else to ask. If so, sorry!

I'll be booted off my parents health insurance next month when I turn 26. what's the best route to go for health insurance after that? should i take it out through my school (seems very expensive), or should I try signing up for Obamacare or something like that? anyone have anything they did that worked out for them? i appreciate any tips, thanks!

Perhaps you already have, but double check your plan: I'm also turning 26 this year, but I'm not getting kicked off until 12/31/2017.

 

[Bru]

Medicaid is your cheapest and likely best option.

 

[mik30102]

Act fast on medicaid if your state has expanded. Some leaked "replacement" ideas imply that what they may do is cut off new enrollment for able bodied adults, and just allow people already on it for a few years.

 

[J ROD]

I know for myself my school insurance was cheapest. That is if you want actual coverage. If not, there are other plans available privately that may be cheaper.

 

[raiderette]

Be aware that schools may demand a certain amount of coverage, and require you to prove you plan meets those requirements. Otherwise they will require their own plan.

 

[BurghStudent]

Medicaid.

 

[ncide]

Did any of you even qualify for Medicaid?

I only (barely) qualified for subsidized ACA insurance because I was working prior to matriculation.

 

[AthleteDoc7]

thanks everyone. I'll check what my school requires in terms of coverage and then try to check out medicaid/ACA for what could meet that requirement. are these all things you can typically apply for online?

 

[sazerac]

thanks everyone. I'll check what my school requires in terms of coverage and then try to check out medicaid/ACA for what could meet that requirement. are these all things you can typically apply for online?

 

[Bru]

Did any of you even qualify for Medicaid?

I only (barely) qualified for subsidized ACA insurance because I was working prior to matriculation.

For year one, I purchased the school insurance. For the remaining years, I was/am on medicaid.

 

[Stagg737]

Hopefully this isn't against the rules here, but I'm not sure who else to ask. If so, sorry!

I'll be booted off my parents health insurance next month when I turn 26. what's the best route to go for health insurance after that? should i take it out through my school (seems very expensive), or should I try signing up for Obamacare or something like that? anyone have anything they did that worked out for them? i appreciate any tips, thanks!

How much is your school insurance and what are the details? Depending on the state the ACA is sometimes not the cheapest route, but you should be able to compare plans online easily.

 

[mbeus]

Medicaid has been great for me this year. And contrary to popular belief, I have had no issues seeing doctors. Never been told someone I tried to schedule an appt with did not take medicaid patients.

 

[MakeLifeHappen13]

My state denied me for medicaid and the cheapest plan available through ACA was 275/month. Any other, cheaper options out there?

 

[mehc012]

Medicaid is your cheapest and likely best option.

This. I just finished applying for Medicaid when I tried to use our student insurance and realized I was paying a decent fee for very, very, very poor coverage through my school. Medicaid hotline told me that grad students qualified (as long as you don't have a large amount of personal assets/income outside of your loans) and helped me set up my application. When it goes through, I'll finally have dental and vision coverage, plus it won't cost me an arm and a leg to get basic or preventive services, as I sadly found out the hard way it does with my school's plan.