Student Health Insurance

As a college student, it can be difficult to take care of your health.  Pressures from new unfamiliar situations, close living conditions, trying to keep up with studies, trying to eat healthy meals, making new friends and dating can be very challenging for some students.  As a result, health insurance coverage is required for college students by virtually every college and university.

The Chickering Group, an Aetna Company, specialize in student health programs and insurance plans for college students. Learn More>> Our Student health insurance plans provide individual health insurance for undergraduate and graduate students. Learn More>>

College students need to make sure their health insurance provides quality health care 24/7. 

Whether students are on campus, off campus, studying abroad in high-health-risk foreign countries, or traveling during semester breaks, worldwide healthcare with access to physicians, surgeons, and specialists is essential.

Common college health and safety issues include:

•  Colds and flu
•  Fatigue and sleep deprivation
•  Eating disorders
•  Mental health (stress, anxiety and depression)
•  Injuries from trips and falls, playing intramural sports, “rough housing” in dorm rooms, and acts of violence
•  Substance use (alcohol or drugs)
•  Socially transmitted diseases.

College student health insurance options include (1), being a dependent on your parents’ insurance policy or (2), purchasing a college-sponsored student health insurance plan.  Check the adequacy of your parents’ insurance coverage and compare their policy’s coverage with the school-sponsored plan.  If you remain on your parents’ policy, make sure your health insurance coverage is active regardless of your age, location, foreign travel and student status (full-time vs. part-time).

Keep in mind that most colleges have their own on-campus health clinic staffed with doctors and nurses.  On-campus health clinics typically offer quality medical services for minor health issues.  Whichever type of health insurance you have, school clinics usually honor that insurance coverage.

Check with your current dental and vision care provider to verify if your plans include coverage in the city of your college.  While most college students take care of their dental and vision needs at home during semester and summer breaks, having dental and vision insurance when you are away at college is important in case of emergency.