Student Health Insurance

[Otrueapothecary]

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Hello, I am turning 26 right at the start of medical school (kicked off parent's health insurance plan). Does anyone have advice about opting for the medical school's health insurance plan (bundled medical, dental, and vision at ~1k/quarter) versus trying to apply and get my own individual plan? I live in and will be studying in CA. What is the most cost effective? I am healthy with no prior conditions, but of course want to make sure I have good medical care if needed.

Thank you!

 

[mrbreakfast]

Does anyone have advice about opting for the medical school's health insurance plan (bundled medical, dental, and vision at ~1k/month) versus trying to apply and get my own individual plan?

I don't know much about California rates but that seems super expensive.

Overall I'd say if you are a) completely healthy and b) are OK getting treatment at the school (i.e. the affiliated clinics/hospitals) then it's a fine choice, as long as it's relatively inexpensive. But make sure those rates are for a single student. Unless you are independently wealthy adding $1000/month to your loans is gunna hurt you later.

 

[Chibucks15]

Medicaid

 

[Otrueapothecary]

I don't know much about California rates but that seems super expensive.

Overall I'd say if you are a) completely healthy and b) are OK getting treatment at the school (i.e. the affiliated clinics/hospitals) then it's a fine choice, as long as it's relatively inexpensive. But make sure those rates are for a single student. Unless you are independently wealthy adding $1000/month to your loans is gunna hurt you later.

Thanks for your reply....I meant $1k/quarter. Still seems like a lot!

 

[ekmf27050]

See if you can stay on your parent's plan past 26 if it's something your parents would agree too; I was able to stay on mine because I am considered a full time student in medical school

 

[mehc012]

You're a student. Your income is likely zero, or close to it. Get Medicaid.
It will be better than any health plan offered by your school anyway.

 

[aldol16]

You should be able to get on the ACA exchanges, right? Idk if they're still sending subsidies but that would be the cheapest non-med school, non-Medicaid option. If you're willing to have health insurance for catastrophic circumstances but experience delays/other barriers, then Medicaid is an option. Keep in mind that many physicians won't accept Medicaid and you may have to go further than you want/not get the doctor you want for the service that you want. It's just a tradeoff.

 

[RangerBob]

Medicaid (Medical in CA) is pretty lousy insurance and many doctors don’t take it or limit the number of slots they have. It can take a while to get in to see a doctor.

I’m also not sure students qualify for Medicaid.... You may need to have kids or some other extenuating circumstances to qualify for it if you’re a student-hopefully someone with direct experience can chime in. But I believe there is a reason schools are required to offer health insurance and cover the cost in the financial aid package.

$4k/year is not that bad. Especially with dental included. Typically school-provided insurance is quite good-Med students and residents have much better insurance than the general population. Financial aid covers it (it should be included in the cost), so why not get decent insurance in case something goes wrong? You’re only getting older at this point, and I had plenty of med students who started healthy and had bigger health issues come up during med school.

 

[HockeyGuy2772]

So I was kicked off my parents insurance back in January and signed up through ACA. With my very low paying part time job, I was able to receive a pretty decent subsidy so I only pay $65/month for pretty decent Heath and dental coverage. When I start with school in the fall I will update income to $0 and might get more off per month

 

[mehc012]

Medicaid (Medical in CA) is pretty lousy insurance and many doctors don’t take it or limit the number of slots they have. It can take a while to get in to see a doctor.

I’m also not sure students qualify for Medicaid.... You may need to have kids or some other extenuating circumstances to qualify for it if you’re a student-hopefully someone with direct experience can chime in. But I believe there is a reason schools are required to offer health insurance and cover the cost in the financial aid package.

$4k/year is not that bad. Especially with dental included. Typically school-provided insurance is quite good-Med students and residents have much better insurance than the general population. Financial aid covers it (it should be included in the cost), so why not get decent insurance in case something goes wrong? You’re only getting older at this point, and I had plenty of med students who started healthy and had bigger health issues come up during med school.

You're definitely allowed to be on Medicaid if you're a student. The whole 'kids or other circumstance' bit went out the window with the ACA. I do have direct experience, as myself and many of my classmates are on Medicaid (our school insurance sucks). In fact, you can be on both school insurance and Medicaid, at least in my state. It was worth it here just for the prescription coverage, though the fact that it includes dental and vision coverage (which our school does not) also helped. Sure, providers aren't easy to find...but that's true on a systems level, before I even attempt to give my insurance info. For a young, fairly healthy person who primarily needs it for prescription coverage (you can go to student health for the visits) and in case of emergencies (ERs take Medicaid), it's definitely worth the $0 investment.

 

[Chibucks15]

^ This is the correct answer

 

[nimbus]

So I was kicked off my parents insurance back in January and signed up through ACA. With my very low paying part time job, I was able to receive a pretty decent subsidy so I only pay $65/month for pretty decent Heath and dental coverage. When I start with school in the fall I will update income to $0 and might get more off per month

You're definitely allowed to be on Medicaid if you're a student. The whole 'kids or other circumstance' bit went out the window with the ACA. I do have direct experience, as myself and many of my classmates are on Medicaid (our school insurance sucks). In fact, you can be on both school insurance and Medicaid, at least in my state. It was worth it here just for the prescription coverage, though the fact that it includes dental and vision coverage (which our school does not) also helped. Sure, providers aren't easy to find...but that's true on a systems level, before I even attempt to give my insurance info. For a young, fairly healthy person who primarily needs it for prescription coverage (you can go to student health for the visits) and in case of emergencies (ERs take Medicaid), it's definitely worth the $0 investment.

Wow! Are you saying ACA actually works as advertised? Affordable healthcare for low income people?

 

[ciestar]

I kept my ACA plan as long as I possibly could. I then got married and lost the subsidy. My school plan isn't bad.

I've been denied medicaid before. I was told by the assistance office that my loans counted as an income (this was undergrad, I was 21).

 

[mehc012]

I kept my ACA plan as long as I possibly could. I then got married and lost the subsidy. My school plan isn't bad.

I've been denied medicaid before. I was told by the assistance office that my loans counted as an income (this was undergrad, I was 21).

Students didn't used to be allowed on Medicaid. Was this before ACA was in full swing? Though even then, it was not the loans that disqualified people, but the lack of 'extenuating circumstances'.

Also, for anyone interested...call your state Medicaid number directly. The school office is usually equipped to guide you towards their own insurance plan, but at many institutions may not have accurate information regarding other options. Heck, they usually don't even know about your school plan and what it offers, just how to sign you up for it.

 

[ciestar]

Students didn't used to be allowed on Medicaid. Was this before ACA was in full swing? Though even then, it was not the loans that disqualified people, but the lack of 'extenuating circumstances'.

Also, for anyone interested...call your state Medicaid number directly. The school office is usually equipped to guide you towards their own insurance plan, but at many institutions may not have accurate information regarding other options. Heck, they usually don't even know about your school plan and what it offers, just how to sign you up for it.

2011, so yes.

 

[Otrueapothecary]

Thank you to everyone who took time to reply! Very helpful information. Thanks.