
If you're a college student in the US, you may be wondering about your health insurance options and whether you can stay on your parent's or guardian's health insurance plan. The short answer is yes, you can usually stay on your parent's health insurance plan until you turn 26, even if you live in a different state. However, it's important to check with your parent's insurance provider to see if your coverage extends to the state where you're studying, as this may impact your access to care. Additionally, if you're under 21, you may need to provide information about your parent's income when applying for health insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the health insurance plan | Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) |
| Who is it for? | Non-disabled Hoosiers aged 19-64 |
| What does it provide? | Health coverage to low-income Hoosiers, adequate provider network for HIP and Medicaid enrollees, incentives for managing costs and receiving preventive care |
| How to apply? | Online at HIP.IN.gov, by mail, fax or phone, or by visiting a local FSSA Division of Family Resources (DFR) office |
| What are the types of coverage? | HIP Basic and HIP Plus |
| What is the difference between the two types of coverage? | HIP Basic is for members with a household income less than or equal to 100% of the federal poverty level. The benefits are reduced and members have to make a copayment each time they receive a health care service. HIP Plus is the initial, preferred plan selection for all members and offers the best value. Members do not pay copayments when they go to the doctor or hospital or fill a prescription. |
| How much does it cost? | Members make affordable monthly contributions into their POWER account based on income. Lower-income members who choose not to make POWER account contributions will be enrolled in HIP Basic. |
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What You'll Learn

Student health plans
In the United States, student health plans are a valuable solution for college-bound students and their families. These plans can provide basic insurance coverage at an affordable price. Even if a student has access to a student health plan, they may still apply for coverage through the Marketplace. The Health Insurance Marketplace provides several options for individuals under 30 to choose a plan that suits their needs.
The cost of Marketplace coverage plans can be lowered using a premium tax credit. This credit is based on the household income of the applicant, and their parent or guardian if they are claimed as a dependent. If an applicant is under 21, they may need to provide information about their parent's income. Those under 26 can remain on their parent's plan until coverage ends on December 31, even if they turn 26 during the year.
Students with Special Enrollment Status can choose to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan. For example, the University of South Carolina offers a Student Health Insurance Plan that is considered a Gold Plan in the insurance marketplace. The plan covers most medical and mental health services, x-rays, labs, procedures, and prevention services. It also includes prescription drugs, and covers mental health, dental, and vision care.
The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is another health coverage program available to non-disabled Hoosiers aged 19-64. HIP Basic is the fallback option for members with a household income less than or equal to 100% of the federal poverty level. The benefits are reduced, and members must make a copayment each time they receive a health care service. HIP Plus is the initial, preferred plan selection for all members and offers the best value. Members make affordable monthly contributions into their POWER account based on income.
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Applying for coverage
The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is Indiana's health coverage program for non-disabled Hoosiers aged 19-64. It provides incentives for members to take personal responsibility for their health. HIP Basic is for members with household incomes less than or equal to 100% of the federal poverty level. The benefits are reduced, and members have to make a copayment each time they receive a health care service. On the other hand, HIP Plus is the initial, preferred plan selection for all members and offers the best value. Members make affordable monthly contributions to their POWER accounts based on their income and do not pay copayments when they go to the doctor or hospital or fill a prescription.
To enrol in HIP, you can apply online at HIP.IN.gov, by mail, fax or phone, or by visiting a local FSSA Division of Family Resources (DFR) office. Applications are processed within 45 business days once all required information is received.
If you are a college student, you may qualify for different types of health insurance depending on your age and circumstances. Many colleges and universities offer affordable health plans, but these plans may provide limited coverage. Students who are U.S. citizens or lawfully present immigrants have the option to apply for health insurance through the ACA marketplace. If you are under 26, you may qualify for coverage under a parent’s health plan. If you are claimed as a dependent on your parent’s taxes and choose to opt out of your student health insurance, your parent’s family plan would still be eligible for tax credits.
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Including parents' details
In the United States, college students can access health insurance in a variety of ways. Firstly, it is important to check with your college to see what type of student health plan they offer. Typically, colleges and universities offer student health plans at affordable prices, and these plans count as health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. However, these plans may provide limited coverage, and there may be additional charges for care at student health clinics.
If you are a dependent, you can stay on your parent's health insurance plan until you turn 26, as long as they have job-based insurance or a plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. If you are in a different state to your parents, you should check the plan's provider network to see if you can access care where you live and go to school. Even if you apply for coverage yourself, you will still need to include information about your parent and their income when asked if someone will claim you as a dependent when filing federal income taxes. Being claimed as a dependent means their income affects your eligibility for savings on your plan.
If you choose to opt out of your student health insurance, your parent's family plan would still be eligible for tax credits. Additionally, if you choose to stay on or accept your student health plan, your parents would still be eligible for tax credits through their provider, if otherwise eligible.
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Eligibility and costs
The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is Indiana's health coverage program for non-disabled Hoosiers aged 19–64. Eligibility is based on income and family size. If your income is less than or equal to 100% of the federal poverty level, you will be enrolled in HIP Basic. If your income is above the federal poverty level, you will be enrolled in HIP Plus.
HIP Basic is the fallback option for members with lower incomes. The benefits are reduced, and members are required to make a copayment each time they receive a health care service, such as going to the doctor, filling a prescription, or staying in the hospital. These payments may range from $4 to $8 per doctor visit or prescription filled and may be as high as $75 per hospital stay.
HIP Plus is the initial, preferred plan selection for all members and offers the best value. To participate in HIP Plus, members make affordable monthly contributions into their POWER account based on income. In the HIP Plus program, members do not pay copayments when they go to the doctor or hospital or fill a prescription. The only exception is a copayment for visiting the emergency room when there is not a true emergency. HIP Plus provides more benefits than the HIP Basic program, including vision, dental, and chiropractic services.
If you are a college student, you may qualify for different types of health insurance depending on your age and circumstances. If you are under 26, you may qualify for coverage under a parent’s health plan. If you are listed as a dependent on your parent's taxes, you can likely stay on their health plan. However, if you attend a school far from your parent's home, their health insurance may not cover medical services provided to you while you are away at school. If you are in a different state, you should check the plan's provider network to see if you can access care where you live and go to school.
Many colleges and universities offer affordable health plans for their students, known as "campus health insurance" or a "student health plan." These plans may provide limited coverage, and there may be additional charges for care at student health clinics. Student health plans cover up to 3 million people in the U.S., and some of these plans offer comprehensive coverage. According to The New York Times, campus health insurance can cost $2,000 to $4,000 per academic year, and this expense is usually included in a student's tuition bill.
Depending on your income and circumstances, you may also be able to find health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, or a spouse's health plan. If your school offers a student health plan, enrolling in it can be an easy and affordable way to get basic insurance coverage. However, even if you have access to a student health plan, you can still apply for coverage through the ACA marketplace. Based on your income, family size, and location, you might qualify for lower costs or tax credits to help pay for a private health plan.
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Additional charges
There are several additional charges and costs associated with health insurance for college students. Firstly, if a college student is considered a dependent, they can remain on their parent's health insurance plan until they turn 26. This option is typically more cost-effective than purchasing a separate plan. However, if the student attends school in a different state, it is important to verify that the parent's plan provides in-network coverage in that state.
Secondly, college students have the option to enrol in a student health plan offered by their school. These plans are often affordable and provide basic insurance coverage. However, it is important to note that there may be additional charges for care at student health clinics, and the coverage provided by these plans may be limited. As such, it is worth exploring other options, such as the Marketplace, to find a plan that better meets the student's needs and provides more comprehensive coverage.
Thirdly, when considering Marketplace coverage, it is important to understand the impact of being claimed as a dependent on tax filings. Even if a student applies for Marketplace coverage on their own, they must include information about their parent's income and whether they are claimed as a dependent. This information will affect eligibility for savings on Marketplace plans. If a student is claimed as a dependent, their parent should include them on their application, even if they do not require coverage.
Lastly, for low-income college students, there are additional options available, such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Many states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover individuals below certain income levels, and CHIP offers low-cost health coverage for children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Additionally, the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is a health insurance program for qualified adults in Indiana, providing coverage for medical, dental, vision, and chiropractic expenses, with incentives for members to take responsibility for their health.
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Frequently asked questions
No, your college student does not need to be on your health insurance application. They can be included if they are a dependent and are under 26 years old.
Yes, college students can apply for their own health insurance. They can apply for coverage through the Marketplace, or get a student health plan from their college or university.
A student health plan is a special policy of health insurance offered by colleges and universities to their enrolled students. These plans are typically affordable but may provide limited coverage.
Student health plans cover essential health benefits, including emergency services, substance use and mental health disorder services. However, if the plan is "self-insured", it might not be required to cover essential health benefits.
If your student is in a different state, their parent's health insurance may not cover them. They may only be covered for emergency services. It is best to check with the insurance provider to understand the coverage area.


































