<p>I’m actually a regular user on this forum, but since this post has some personal information and I’m pretty recognizable by my username, I decided to create a new one. And I thought that parents would be able to help out more, so I posted here.</p>
<p>I’ll be attending college in the fall, and right now, I’m insured under my parents, and my college also provides insurance, so right now, there doesn’t seem to be any problems. The only thing is that especially with the bad economy, I might end up without a job that provides healthcare (or even a job in general). If I have pre-existing conditions, then I can’t get healthcare, and since I’ll be going to a different state for college, I think this has a pretty high chance of occurring, and that will basically ruin my chances of getting insurance. So I just wanted to know if it is worth it to get private insurance now, so I won’t have to worry about this later. Also, if anyone is knowledgeable, do I already have any problems with pre-existing conditions? My medical history includes two ear tube operations, received a herbst appliance and braces, and also got all 4 of my wisdom teeth out. I’ve also had some colds, and I used to get sick a lot when I was in elementary school.</p>
<p>Part of being an adult and going away to college is knowing your health history and facilities available to you, including when to use what based on your school and insurance. Past bouts of illness/disease/childhood needs that are NOT ongoing should have no effect on your future insurance. People with chronic care needs for illness or disabilities are targeted. This would include diabetes and the need for medical devices on a permanent basis. </p>
<p>When filling out forms be sure to only answer the questions asked when the information is for the insurance company. Having had surgery, even ear tubes, falls under the experience with anesthesia for physicians but otherwise is usually nothing that would trigger insurance companies notice for the majority of college students.</p>
<p>Most young adults are healthy with “the usual childhood diseases”. Unless your family physician tells you to be sure the health service is aware of problems you have/had you can think of yourself as healthy, despite what seemed to you to be major or frequent occurances as a child.</p>
<p>Do figure out how your school health service works- what is covered for free, how to get in to be seen (appoinments, emergencies), when to get seen for something. You do not want an xty $ charge for a normal cold, nor do you want to miss meningitis (get your vaccine!). The health services website for your school should have the needed information. Do fill in the requested health history form.</p>
<p>My take on what you have related is to not worry about your health status, you sound normal. Disclaimer: Do not take my post as a substitute for formal medical advice, I’m just offering reassurance based on your OP. I also posted with the thought that my response may help others heading off to college.</p>
<p>From my investigations for a young person, the last 3 years, private insurance rates have been increasing in our state, at >12% per year. For 01/2009 to 07/2009 the rate has increased at 18% (rates are adjusted quarterly for new enrollee, renewable annually). </p>
<p>You may be surprised that if you are currently under an employer’s family program, that it may be more beneficial for you to get your own personal insurance at less cost to your parents. You also sorta guarantee continual insurability if you purchase your own program. </p>
<p>You are correct in assuming that there are a lot of hazards that can limit your ability to purchase insurance or to acquire a job because of preexisting health conditions. </p>
<p>The theory of insurance is the same as the theory of savings and investment. THINK ABOUT IT, BEFORE YOU ANSWER.</p>
<p>There’s a good chance that all insurance rules will change in the next few years. I have no idea how you should factor that thought into the equation. :)</p>
<p>You are covered by your parents’ insurance, you will be getting your school’s insurance, and you are contemplating a THIRD insurance coverage because you might not get a job with health benefits when you graduate in four years? Are you kidding?</p>
<p>Yeah you don’t need a third plan. Having both your parents and school’s plans is great - I had both when I was in undergrad, and never paid for anything. If your school has its own health center, they will have usually worked out with the student insurer to cover visits and minor procedures/treatments with no copay. If you do need something that requires a fee, your parent’s plan should cover it.</p>
<p>I agree with wis75 - everything you listed is pretty normal.</p>
<p>You don’t have a problem with insurance now. </p>
<p>You might have one after you graduate – but by then the rules may have changed.</p>
<p>Right now, you are covered by your parents’ insurance, right? This insurance probably comes through one parent’s job or the other. You may not need to also be on your school’s insurance. If the insurance you get through your parents is good, you may be able to waive the school’s insurance and save money by doing so. (My daughter, a rising junior in college, just submitted her waiver request yesterday; she does this every year because our family’s insurance is sufficient.) I think you and your parents should investigate this possibility. One thing you would want to ask during your investigation is what happens if you waive your school insurance and then your parent who provides your insurance coverage loses his or her job. Could you switch onto the school insurance then?</p>
<p>After you graduate, you will need to get health insurance of your own. If you go to graduate school, you will be given the chance (maybe even forced) to take an insurance plan offered by the graduate school (I have a son in this situation now). If you get a full-time job, there will almost certainly be insurance offered with it. A problem may arise, though, if you do neither of these things, or if you encounter a delay in finding a job. Then and only then will you need to actually buy health insurance on your own – and I suspect that the rules may have changed by then so that even if you have serious preexisting conditions (which you don’t, but you might by then – who knows?), you should be able to get that insurance.</p>
<p>Parent of recent grad (who now has an individual plan) here. Agreed with others…right now you HAVE coverage. A third plan is not necessary. AND agreed…check to see if your parent’s plan will cover you where you are in school and satisfies your school’s waiver criteria. You don’t need two insurance plans.</p>
<p>When you graduate, the most important thing is DO NOT LET YOUR COVERAGE LAPSE especially if you have a preexisting condition that would be viewed by insurance companies. The first place to look is for an individual policy through the same carrier as the one your parents have you covered with. </p>
<p>Now…having said that…I’m going to stop…because I also agree with others…it’s good you are thinking about this…but it’s more important to think about it 6 months before you graduate.</p>
<p>Oh…here’s another tip…for when the time comes (something we SHOULD have done but didn’t)…have your parents contact the human resources folks at the place where you have insurance while a student and ask THEM about what you need to do to convert to an individual plan.</p>
<p>I can not stress enough that you need to investigate all options and their costs. </p>
<p>Employer and school sponsored health insurance are group-negotiated insurance programs that must accept All risks; Thus the rate may be higher and service options may more limited than what you can obtain privately. </p>
<p>If you are in good health, you need think about costs.
If you are in less than optimal health, you need to think about service options.
In the Present time, Cost may be the your only concern.
In the Future time, being able to have insurance may be more important than cost.</p>
<p>I wrote a post that does not seem to be here, so here goes.</p>
<p>S will be attending grad school out of state. Like all universities I know of, the school requires two types of health coverage: the basic, mandatory plan and the supplementary plan. The second can be waived if the student demonstrates that s/he is covered by a different health plan that meets all criteria. Our S is covered by our family health plan until he turns 24, and the plan does meet all the criteria, so he received a waiver. He is saving $1500 per year until he turns 24, another three years.</p>
<p>S1 was on COBRA for about a year until he got a job with health benefits. The cost of COBRA for one person was as much as we paid for our family plan. And it did not cover all medical procedures. During that time, he and I had exactly the same medical procedure. His cost: $1800. Mine: $15. </p>
<p>With health care reform up in the air, I’d stick with the family plan and review when things are clearer.</p>