Are you a student in the USA wondering about the best health insurance options? It’s a common question, and we’re here to guide you through the maze of choices.
Let’s explore the ins and outs of health insurance tailored for students, helping you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
First things first, let’s break down what student health insurance is all about. This specialized coverage is designed with students in mind, offering a range of benefits to ensure your well-being while pursuing your academic journey.
Health Insurance for Students List
Oscar Health Insurance
Oscar helps you take care of your health insurance using a handy mobile app. You can use it to set up free virtual care, keep track of your deductible, check your claims, see lab results and prescriptions, and more. That’s why we think it’s the best health insurance for college students with the coolest mobile app.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong mobile app that gives rewards for walking.
- Free virtual care in many plans.
- Has serious plans in some states.
Cons
- Gets a 2-star rating on healthcare.gov.
- Only in 21 states.
Company Overview
Oscar’s app works with Apple Health and Google Health, letting you earn up to $75 in Amazon gift cards every year just for walking.
They also have serious plans in some states, and generally have low prices for bronze and silver plans, although the costs can be different depending on where you live. For instance, Oscar has the cheapest bronze plans in Florida.
Members get cool things like $0 virtual care with most plans and a special care team just for them. Plus, the company offers all the medical management programs available in most states, so it’s a good choice if you have specific health issues and want extra coverage.
But, Oscar’s plans only get 2 stars on healthcare.gov. And they only have plans in 21 states. Even so, if they offer plans where you live, it might be a good option because of the easy-to-use Oscar platform and the good prices in some places. Oscar was also one of our top picks for the Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance
We like Blue Cross Blue Shield the best for serious coverage because they have low prices for serious plans and are a really well-rated health insurance provider overall.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Gives affordable serious plans in a lot of states.
- Gets 3 stars or more on healthcare.gov plans.
- Has an average rating of 3.7 stars from NCQA.
- Available in many places.
Cons
- Benefits and plan types vary by state.
- J.D. Power ranking varies by region.
Company Overview
Blue Cross Blue Shield has serious plans with low prices in some places, although they’re not in every state. In a few states, like Maryland and California, a serious plan from Blue Cross is the cheapest you can get.
Serious plans are good for college students who usually don’t need to see a doctor and just want coverage in case something serious happens.
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are also rated well, with a 3-star rating on healthcare.gov (or higher in some states) and an average rating of 3.7 stars from NCQA.
The company also got an A- (Excellent) rating for financial strength from AM Best, which means they can handle a lot of claims.
Since BCBS is a group of companies, what they offer and the types of plans they have can be different in each area. J.D. Power rankings can also be different depending on where you are.
For example, they’re the top-rated provider in many Midwestern states but are rated last in California.1 Depending on where you live, you might get different benefits too.
But most members can use a 24/7 nurse line, and lots of BCBS members can get discounts on wellness stuff through the Blue365 discount program. Blue Cross Blue Shield is our #1 choice for Best Health Insurance Companies overall.
Aetna Insurance
Aetna’s plans let people set up visits at MinuteClinic places, even on the weekends, and also get free virtual visits. You can just walk in for an appointment too. Because of these good things together, Aetna is the best choice for virtual and urgent care.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- $0 MinuteClinic visits with most plans.
- $0 virtual care with most plans.
- 3.4-star average NCQA rating.
Cons
- Mixed reviews for customer satisfaction.
Company Overview
With Aetna’s plans, you can use MinuteClinic places in CVS and Target stores across the country. You can just walk in or set up an appointment online for different services, and they have hours in the evening and on weekends.
If it makes sense for your health, you can even get your prescription filled there. Most visits are free with most plans. You can also set up free virtual care anytime. Having these benefits together can help you save money on urgent or emergency care.
Aetna is also usually rated well, with an average rating of 3.4 stars from the NCQA and an A (Excellent) grade for financial strength from AM Best. While prices can be different in each state, we found Aetna’s plans to be generally affordable, especially for bronze and silver plans.
For example, they have some of the cheapest bronze plans in Texas. But Aetna’s customer satisfaction rating in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study can be different depending on where you are.1 In some states, like Texas and Florida, the company is ranked higher than average, while in other places, it’s not as good.
Final Post Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best health insurance for students in the USA is a personal decision. Consider your health needs, budget constraints, and the experiences of fellow students. With the right information, you can embark on your academic journey with confidence, knowing that your health is in good hands.