ereks mom Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 (edited) Our family does not have health insurance. We simply cannot afford it. EK is covered by our state's children's health plan (funded by Medicaid, I think). ER had student insurance at his previous college; the coverage was very basic--limited to infirmary visits and some prescription medications--and cost about $600 per year. The college he will be attending this year does not have such a policy, but insurance is required for students living in the dorms. I don't even know where to start looking! Anyone else in a similar situation? What do you recommend? Please post links to trustworthy insurance websites! Edited August 9, 2010 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Did you ask the school? He can't be the only kid in that position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 Did you ask the school? He can't be the only kid in that position. Yes, and they referred me to the school website, which links to an insurance company website. I followed the link, only to find that the company's "Student Select Plans are no longer available". Instead, they offer another plan that starts at $89 per month. Sounds steep to me, when a student health insurance plan at his previous college cost $400 per YEAR. It covered visits to the college infirmary at no cost, and included a prescription plan as well. <sigh> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edithcrawley Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 If he is generally healthy, you might try finding a plan with a very high deductible. The monthly premiums will be much lower and he'll have coverage if something really bad happens (car accident, appendicitis, etc). However, if he gets sick a lot and needs to visit the doc several times a year, it may be cheaper to get a plan with a lower deductible but a higher monthly premium. I found this site, I know other friends of mine have used it to compare premiums for different health insurance companies (then they would go to the actual health insurance company's site to buy) http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 I pay health insurance for a young woman in her 20s, and it is about $250/month. Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganClassicalPrep Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 You might check with the state for something called PAC (Primary Adult Care). He might be eligible for that. I'm not sure what state you are in, but you should be able to find it on the medicare website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah C. Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 In some states, Medicaid is available for adults who live at or under the poverty level. I know TX is one of these states. Perhaps your son could apply for regular Medicaid? If nothing else can be found the $89/mo plan may be the only way to go. Is it possible that your son's financial aid would be able to help cover the cost? I hope this works out for your son. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 You might be able to get a high deductible plan cheaper than $89 through Blue Cross. You have to pay doc visits out of pocket at the ins. negotiated rate up to the deductible and then 20% after that up the max., but if he is healthy that should not be a problem. Honestly $89 is cheap for full coverage with a private plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 You don't understand. Our budget is so tight that $89 a month is a LOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SapphireStitch Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 If he is generally healthy, you might try finding a plan with a very high deductible. The monthly premiums will be much lower and he'll have coverage if something really bad happens (car accident, appendicitis, etc). However, if he gets sick a lot and needs to visit the doc several times a year, it may be cheaper to get a plan with a lower deductible but a higher monthly premium. I found this site, I know other friends of mine have used it to compare premiums for different health insurance companies (then they would go to the actual health insurance company's site to buy) http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ :iagree: This is what we're doing for our daughter right now. We insured her with a high-deductible HSA through Celtic Insurance; I found it through the site mentioned above. The premium is around $75/month and the deductible is $5K. I think it's supposed to cover an annual exam w/o deductible, but we haven't tested that yet. What I found when researching this type of policy is that every company out there seems to do a fantastic job of setting up the policy, deducting the premium from checking monthly, and raising the rates every year. I could find no reviews saying that any of them do a good job of actually paying a claim. :( It's apparently very common, also, for the companies to raise rates or cancel the policy entirely after a customer has made a claim. This is NOT a political statement: I am relieved that, in our case, we can add DD back to DH's work policy next year. My husband's employer (medical school) is going to end up covering a lot of employees' adult children under the new health care law. I have NO DOUBT our premiums will go up! But I'd rather pay the $$ and know she will be covered...I feel sometimes like the $$ are thrown away every month now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 GradGuard Student Health Plan (College Student Health Insurance) Amigo Medical Plan (Short Term Student Insurance) Tonik (Blue Cross Blue Shield) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 You don't understand. Our budget is so tight that $89 a month is a LOT. Can your son pay for this himself? I worked all through college, even if at times it was only 8 hours a week (I was taking engineering and always had a full courseload). I only made minimum wage, but even back then, 8 hours a week would be more than enough to pay for that premium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Can your son pay for this himself? I worked all through college, even if at times it was only 8 hours a week (I was taking engineering and always had a full courseload). I only made minimum wage, but even back then, 8 hours a week would be more than enough to pay for that premium. I was wondering that also. I had work study and did odd jobs to make ends meet, and eventually I had to get a full time job and go to school full time. It can be done. He could mow a few lawns or something to make $89 a month if that is all that he needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 You don't understand. Our budget is so tight that $89 a month is a LOT. I understand. But have no solution either. Sorry 'bout that.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 (edited) ... Edited September 7, 2023 by J-rap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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