Buyers Guide to Student Health Insurance

Congratulations, you have just graduated from high school, and you've decided to move on and further your education by going to college. At this time your parent's health insurance plan may have dropped you, but don't worry, because there is a resolution... student health insurance.

Types of student health insurance plans include but are not limited to: international health insurance, short term health insurance and supplemental health insurance. When you begin shopping for a student health insurance plan, the first thing you must think about is the type of student health insurance you want to buy. Some colleges offer a basic student health insurance plan, and many insurance companies also offer discounted rates to students. With that said, you may want to consider checking out the plans your college has to offer, and even plans from insurance companies that offer discounted rates to students.

If you're planning to attend college in a different country then you may want to look into international health insurance. International health insurance is usually purchased by people who plan to leave the country for a certain period of time and return later. International health insurance covers medical expenses that you may incur while visiting another country. Some expenses international health insurance may cover are: hospitalization, intensive care, vaccinations, outpatient services, emergency services and ambulance transportation.

Short term health insurance is for new graduates who are job hunting, or for students that are waiting for their new employee benefits to commence. Short term health insurance can usually be extended if needed.

Supplemental health insurance is inexpensive and pays cash benefits. Other than being inexpensive, supplemental health insurance will pay for pre-existing medical conditions, and these conditions are seldom covered by other types of health insurance plans.

Now that you know a little more about the types of student health insurance plans, you'll need to discover what to look for, and what to take into consideration as you're shopping for student health insurance.

The first thing you should look for in the plan is choice of doctors. Will the plan be accepted by doctors in your area? Does your doctor accept insurance from the provider you're considering? Will you be able to choose your own doctor - a doctor you are comfortable with and know a little bit about? Because of the increase in the cost of gas, you don't want to have to travel too far just to see a doctor, and that's why it is very important that you choose a provider that has a list of doctors in your area.

Great, you have found a provider that will allow you your choice of doctors, and the provider also has a list of doctors in your area. However, that's only the first thing to consider when choosing your student health insurance plan. Another thing you need to consider... does the plan cover a specialist? You may not need one now, but you never know what the future holds.

Do you have asthma, heart problems or any other kind of pre-existing medical condition? If so you need to study the plan to make sure they offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Also, if the plan does cover these conditions you need to study further, because some health insurance plans cover only certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Other than specialists and pre-existing medical conditions, some other things you need to check the plan for are: emergency room visits, hospital stays, physicals, prescription drugs, outpatient services, doctor office visits and vaccinations.

Finally, if you're majoring in a career that will cause lifting or back strain, then you need to also look to see if the provider's plan covers chiropractic care.

Here are a few tips to help you while you're shopping for student health insurance:

• Search the Internet using the term student health insurance for Web sites where you can request quotes and information from several different companies. (See the "more resources" box at the end of this article for some Web sites where you can request insurance quotes and information.)
• Don't choose the first plan you come across. Take your time, read all the material sent to you, and choose the student health insurance plan that's right for you.
• Read every part of the fine print and restrictions closely.
• If you're buying international student health insurance, make sure you get the plan set up before you leave the country. Some providers offer immediate coverage.
• Prior to shopping for student health insurance, set down and figure all your monthly expenses so you can select a student health insurance plan within your budget.

You now know a little more about buying student health insurance, and you're ready to start the ball rolling. Pull up your browser and shop wisely!