College students have a lot on their minds. They’re juggling classes, extracurricular activities and maybe even part-time jobs. In the midst of all this, it can be easy to forget about something as important as health insurance. However, college students need health insurance for a variety of reasons—including staying healthy and avoiding expensive medical bills.
But with all the different options out there, it can be hard to know which plan is right for you.
Quyasoft is the right stop for you to obtain all the relevant information you need on What Is Health Insurance for College Students, Health Insurance Options for College Students, Best apps for a college student health insurance, Do College Students Need Health Insurance and so much more. Take out time to surf through our catalog for more information on related topics. You don’t want to miss this!
What Is Health Insurance for College Students?
Health insurance for students is designed to provide coverage for medical expenses they may incur while in school. It can help cover the cost of doctor’s visits, prescription medications, mental health services and more.
Even if a college student is relatively healthy, there’s always a chance they could get sick or injured while away at school. These medical bills could add significant debt to their plates, which is why health insurance is so important.
College students are busy. They have a lot of things to do, and they’re not always sure how to balance them all.
For many students, one of the big challenges is managing their health insurance. We’ve made this list of the best apps for college students to help with that!
The apps on this list are designed to help you manage your health insurance and keep track of your appointments, medications, and other important information in an easy-to-use interface. They also connect with other services like your calendar or Fitbit so you can stay on top of everything in one place.
You can use these apps on your smartphone or tablet—whatever device makes sense for you!
Best apps for a college student health insurance
1. Teladoc
Teladoc provides quality healthcare services, including virtual primary care, everyday care, mental health, nutrition, dermatology and expert medical advice via phone, online or app. While most of the healthcare apps on this list deliver the best doctors to your door, it can be difficult to find specialists who specialise in your specific disease. Teladoc – 24/7 access to a doctor, which connects consumers with the right certified doctor or surgeon, such as a neurologist or radiologist, solves this problem. Setting up an appointment normally takes 24 hours or less, and it takes place through video calls on the web platform. The rates are based on multiple factors and are preset by the company.
2. MySugr – Diabetes Tracker Log
The motto of one of the best healthcare apps for diabetes is “making diabetes suck less!” Patients can use MySugr to keep track of their blood sugar, carbohydrates, bolus, and projected HbA1c all in one place. MySugr users claim that it has changed their lives. By logging their data on a daily basis, they’ve been able to have a better understanding of their situation. Doctors are also permitted to examine the data in order to better treat their patients. This simple programme also offers users motivating challenges and feedback to aid in the management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a challenging disease to manage, and for many people, this software has been a valuable ally. The mySugr diabetes app is your loyal and free diabetes logbook, which keeps your diabetes data under control. With one app you’ll have:
- Easy and personalised dashboard (diet, meds, carb intake, blood glucose levels and more)
- Insulin/Bolus calculator with precise insulin dose recommendations (Limited to some countries using mySugr PRO)
- See clear blood sugar level graphs
- Estimated HbA1c at a glance, no more surprises
- Daily, weekly, and monthly reports, that you can share directly with your doctor
- Secure data backup (built with regulatory compliance, quality, and safety)
3. Doctor on Demand
Doctor On Demand by Included Health works with or without health insurance and is available at reduced rates through many major health plans and large employers. You’ll always see your cost upfront and won’t receive a surprise bill after your visit.
It offers doctors that can treat non-emergency medical issues such as cold and flu symptoms, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, allergies, sports injuries, back pain, heartburn, as well as many paediatric issues. Doctor On Demand by Included Health also offers a private space to meet face to face with a psychologist or psychiatrist through video. Choose from a diverse group of therapists and work with them to address what’s important to you from the privacy of home.
4. Calcium
Calcium is a healthcare & medical app that pulls in your health data from hospitals & health systems – and many of the top fitness and medical devices (including Fitbit and Apple Health). This is the best healthcare app that provides an array of tools that leverages your data to get healthier, manage your healthcare costs and take control of your healthcare journey and destiny. Calcium, one of the most well-known names in the healthcare apps business, is a free healthcare app that you can download to your Android or iOS device. The healthcare app is built to provide all-important functionality, such as smart device support, prescription, medication administration, and notifications, as well as professional and patient usability. The app is a well-thought-out tool created by specialists that makes healthcare management and accessibility extremely straightforward for its customers. Calcium makes it simple to remotely monitor and analyse patient data via smart devices. You can also acquire detailed information on the patient’s medical condition, including statistics such as temperature and blood pressure.
5. Medical ID
Medical ID lets you create medical profiles that you can access from your lock screen. In the event of an emergency, profiles provide instant access to key information such as allergies, blood type, medical contacts, and other details that are critical for first responders, medics, or medical personnel who must intervene. Even when the app is closed, you can share your location with emergency contacts (for up to 24 hours or until you stop sharing). Before treating you, medics or emergency personnel can see the essentials at a glance.
6. Medisafe Pill Minder
Medisafe Pill Minder and Tracker is claimed to be one of the best healthcare apps by the users as it assists in keeping track of your medications. It’s available for Android and iOS, including doctor visit management and appointment reminder features. It even has health monitoring devices. You can upgrade to an ad-free experience with additional notification sounds and measurement tools for a small fee. Medisafe is capable of managing drugs for many complex health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It also acts as a perfect companion for those who need a mobile organiser for vitamins, blood pressure meds, glucose level tracking, period tracking, and other health concerns.
7. Flo Period Tracker & Calendar
Flo is a women’s healthcare app. Personalise Flo to make it distinctive and relevant to you, regardless of your age or reproductive aim. Flo is an AI-powered app that helps you precisely track your cycle, fertility, and pregnancy. Flo offers all-in-one tracking for period start and length, fertile window, peak ovulation days, PMS symptoms, flow intensity, birth control, and much more as a one-stop solution for all things female health and well-being. Stress management is important for students and sometimes having your periods at the same time can add onto the already existing stress. This healthcare app helps during pregnancy to keep track of your baby’s progress on a weekly basis. These are the features offered by the app-
- Cycle & Period Tracker
- Ovulation Calculator & Pregnancy Calendar
- Lifestyle & Fitness Tracker
- Reminders
- Health Report & Assistant
- Secret Chat
8. MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is one of the best healthcare apps and the best exercise tracker for tracking available for both Android and iOS. A desktop version is also available. It’s an all-in-one activity, mindfulness, food logging, sleep, fertility, and more tracker. You can set weight or activity goals, plan meals, and sync the app with most fitness trackers and watches.
If you pay to upgrade, you will gain access to premium features such as more detailed reporting, food macros, and logs that you can download or email to your healthcare provider. In addition, the app includes a robust online community for weight loss support and advice.
Health Insurance Options for College Students
College students have eight primary options when it comes to health insurance. We’ve outlined the pros and cons of each below, so you can weigh your choices carefully before making a decision.
Parent’s health insurance plan
Students can stay on a parent’s health insurance plan until age 26—even if they’re not a dependent on their tax return. For many students, this is the easiest and best student health insurance.
However, there may be some instances in which this isn’t ideal. For example, HMO plans typically require individuals to receive care from a network of providers. If a parent has an HMO and a student is going to college out of state, there may not be any in-network providers in that area. So the student may have to explore other options.
That said, if a parent has a PPO—or can switch to one—a student may be able to stay on their plan and still have adequate coverage. PPOs have more flexibility and generally allow you to go out-of-network if you’re willing to pay a higher deductible, coinsurance or copay.
Pros
- Usually the most affordable option
- Students can stay on their parent’s plan until age 26
- May not cost extra if the parent already has a family plan
Cons
- May not have any in-network providers if you go to college out of state
School-sponsored student health plans
Many colleges and universities have student health insurance plans. These plans can be a great option for students, as they’re often more affordable than private health insurance.
Most school-sponsored plans comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which means they cover the 10 essential health benefits: doctor’s visits, emergency services, hospitalizations, prescription drug coverage, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health services and more.
You can also lump the price into your tuition and fees, which means you don’t have to worry about paying monthly premiums while you’re in school. But on the other hand, you could end up paying interest on your premiums if you add your student health insurance plan into your student loans.
To see if your school offers a student health insurance plan or student health plan, visit your school’s website or contact the student affairs office for more information.
Pros
- May be more affordable than getting health insurance through the marketplace
- Good for on-campus care
- Price is lumped in with tuition and fees, so you don’t have to worry about monthly premiums
Cons
- May lose coverage when the semester or the school year ends
- Could pay interest on premiums if they’re rolled into student loans
Health insurance through a spouse or domestic partner
If you happen to be married or in a domestic partnership, you may be eligible to enroll in your spouse or partner’s health insurance plan. This is usually another affordable way to get health insurance since employers pay most of an employee’s health costs.
Pros
- Typically comes with comprehensive coverage options
- Spouse’s employer pays more than half of health care costs
- Having one plan means you don’t have to understand the specifics of multiple health plans and deal with two companies
Cons
- You have to be married or in a domestic partnership to qualify
- Your coverage will be tied to your spouse or partner’s employment
Health insurance plan through a job
Plan on working while in school? Companies like Chipotle, Costco, Lowes, REI, Starbucks and UPS all offer health insurance to part-time employees. This could be a good way for a student to get affordable health insurance while in college. Plus, many employers subsidize premiums, making it a more affordable option than getting health insurance through a private insurer.
Pros
- Many part-time employers offer health insurance to employees
- Can be a good option if you plan on working while in college
- Gets you accustomed to having your own health insurance before you get married or have a family later
Cons
- May only be eligible if you work a certain number of hours per week
- Would lose coverage if you needed to quit your job to focus on school
- Can be more expensive than staying on your parents’ plan
Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance
Another way to get health insurance as a college student is through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. All ACA plans cover preventative services, pre-existing conditions and the 10 essential health benefits:
- Ambulatory patient/outpatient services
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Laboratory services
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use disorders, including behavioral health treatment
- Pediatric services, including vision and oral care
- Prescription drugs
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
You can purchase an ACA health insurance plan during open enrollment, which begins on Nov. 1 and ends on Jan. 15 in most states for 2023.
If you miss the open enrollment window, you may be eligible for special enrollment if you’ve recently experienced a qualifying event—such as losing your parents’ coverage, switching jobs or moving to a different ZIP code.
One disadvantage of ACA health insurance is that it can be expensive if you don’t qualify for subsidies. For instance, Bronze level plans are the most basic type of coverage you can get through Healthcare.gov. The average monthly cost for a Bronze plan for a 21-year-old is $313. A Silver plan, which costs more in premiums but less when you need care, averages $410 monthly for a 21-year-old.
In most cases, you won’t qualify for a subsidy if you file taxes as a dependent because your parents’ income is combined with yours. For financially strapped college students, this can be a tough pill to swallow.
Here is a health insurance marketplace calculator to see if you qualify for any subsidies.
Pros
- Can be purchased through the federal marketplace or private insurers
- Coverage is not tied to employment or school status
- May qualify for subsidies
Cons
- May be more expensive than other options
- Subsidies generally aren’t available to dependents
ACA catastrophic plans
Catastrophic health insurance plans are designed to protect individuals from high medical costs in the event of an accident or illness. They’re available to anyone under age 30 (unless you qualify for a hardship waiver).
Although catastrophic plans are designed for large emergencies, they cover some routine care, such as three visits to a primary care physician per year. That said, they’re not ideal if you’re managing a chronic illness as your out-of-pocket costs may be too high.
Pros
- May have lower premiums than other options
- Good for emergency coverage
- Can protect you from high medical costs in the event of an accident or illness
Cons
- High deductibles
- Not ideal if you have a chronic condition
Medicaid
If you’re a low-income student, you may be eligible for Medicaid—a government health insurance program. Requirements vary by state, but you may qualify for Medicaid if your income is below 138% of the federal poverty level. For 2022, this limit is $18,754 for a one-person household.
However, your eligibility is based on your household income, and if you file taxes as a dependent, this includes your parents’ pay. To see if you’re eligible for Medicaid, use Healthcare.gov’s health insurance calculator.
Pros
- Can provide free or low-cost health insurance coverage to eligible students
- Comprehensive coverage options
Cons
- Eligibility is based on household income
- May have a hard time finding in-network providers
Short-term medical insurance
If you need health insurance for a short period—such as during summer break or until ACA open enrollment begins—a short-term health insurance plan may be a good option.
Short-term health insurance plans are typically less expensive than private health insurance plans and usually provide coverage for up to a year with the change to extend coverage for another two years. However, they usually don’t cover pre-existing conditions, so it’s important to check with the insurer before you buy a policy to make sure you’re covered for the things you need.
Pros
- Low, affordable premiums
- Temporary coverage option
- Usually more affordable than traditional health insurance
Cons
- High deductibles can lead to big out-of-pocket costs
- Coverage is limited to a specific timeframe
- May not cover pre-existing medical conditions and doesn’t usually cover mental health, prescription drugs or maternity care
Do College Students Need Health Insurance?
Many states and colleges require students to have health insurance before they can begin classes. This is why many colleges offer school-sponsored plans for students who need coverage.
But even if a school doesn’t require it, having health insurance is an important part of staying healthy and safe in college.
You never know when you may break your arm playing intramural sports, catch the flu from your dorm mate or have your allergies flare up. Having the best health insurance for students can cover the cost of medical expenses like doctor visits, prescription medications and emergency services.