Even if you have access to a student health plan, you can apply for coverage (or stay covered) through the Health Insurance Marketplace instead.
If you're a dependent UNDER 26 (same state)
- Living in the same state as your parents: You can be included on your parent's application. Your parent can add you during Open Enrollment (or during a Special Enrollment Period, if they qualify). Losing a student health plan may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. This way they can add you to their plan outside Open Enrollment. (Voluntarily dropping a student plan doesn’t qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.)
If you're a dependent UNDER 26 (living in a different state)
- Living in a different state from your parents: You have two options:
- Apply for coverage with your parent or stay on their plan. Before you enroll or decide to stay on a parent’s plan, be sure to read the plan's coverage documents and review the provider network carefully so you know how the plan covers care delivered in the state you go to school.
- Apply yourself in the state you go to school. You may want to do this to enroll in a plan that better meets your needs in the state you go to school. When you fill out your application, note:
- You'll still be included in your parent's tax household, even though you're applying separately. They'll fill out or update their application and state that you don't need health coverage. Your income will still be counted because Marketplace savings are based on expected income for all tax household members, not just the ones who need insurance.
- You'll do the same: When you fill out your own separate application, state that your parents and the other members of their tax household don't need health coverage. But you'll include their income on your application.
- The cost of both your plan and your parent's plan may be reduced with a premium tax credit and extra savings based on the whole household's income, not just yours.
- When you move to or from the place you live and go to school, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period allowing you to enroll outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period.
If you're NOT a dependent and OVER 26
- And you live separately from your parents (whether in the same state or a different one): You should fill out your own separate application. Your savings will be based on only your income, not your parent's.
- And you live with your parents: You should apply on your own separate application. But if you're under 21, you may need to provide information about your parents and their income to complete the application.
If you ARE a dependent and OVER 26
- You have the same options as above. But if you apply with your parents, you may be required to choose a separate plan because you're 26 or older.
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Health Insurance Plan Levels
Bronze 60/40 plan
Bronze 60/40 plan
Bronze 60/40 plan
- Most affordable monthly cost
- Highest costs when you use the insurance
- Preventive Care doctor visits are free and do not require coinsurance or copays in many cases.
Silver 70/30 plan
Bronze 60/40 plan
Bronze 60/40 plan
- If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions in addition to your advanced premium tax credit subsidy, you must pick a Silver plan to get the extra savings. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year if you go to the doctor.
- Moderate monthly premium
- Moderate decuctible costs
Gold 80/20 plan
Bronze 60/40 plan
Gold 80/20 plan
- High monthly premium
- Low costs when you need care
- Deductibles — the amount of medical costs you pay yourself before your plan pays are usually low.
Advanced Premium Tax Credit & Cost-Sharing Reductions
If you don’t have health coverage through an employer and you’re not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, you may qualify for a health care subsidy. Established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this federal assistance covers some of the premium and out-of-pocket costs of health coverage. There are two types of subsidies offered:
Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC): This subsidy helps lower your monthly insurance premiums. It’s based on the cost of health coverage in your state, your estimated income and your household size, which includes you, your spouse and any tax dependents.
Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs): This subsidy offers extra savings that reduce out-of-pocket costs by decreasing deductibles, coinsurance, copays and out-of-pocket max. If you qualify for CSRs based on your income, you must enroll in a plan that falls in the Silver ACA level to enjoy these extra health insurance savings.
The best part is you may be eligible for both types of subsidies, which can dramatically lower your annual health insurance costs.
