Ask the Experts - What health insurance options do college students have?

There are basically two ways to insure your child's health while at college: through your family health plan or a health plan provided by the school.

Most family health plans allow a child to continue to be covered by the family plan if the child is your dependent (check the policy for specific age limits and requirements) and is a full-time college student. But be sure to check whether coverage is available for doctors and medical services provided on or near campus. Some plans, such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), may offer full coverage only if provided by doctors or at facilities within the HMO network. Full benefits may not be available for care provided by doctors or at facilities outside the particular HMO network. However, other types of plans may offer full coverage for almost any type of care provided by most doctors or at nearly all hospitals.

If your child isn't covered by your family health plan because he or she has reached the maximum age stated in the policy to be covered as a dependent, or is not a full-time student, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) may allow your child to continue to be covered by your plan on an individual basis. The benefits of your health insurance plan are available to your child for up to 36 months, but often at an additional cost.