With the high costs of education, housing and gas, students might ask themselves whether or not they can afford health insurance, and how and where to find affordable coverage.
According to the Census Bureau, approximately 8 million young adults — ages 18 to 24 — were uninsured in 2007. Cal State Long Beach offers its students health insurance through Aetna Student Health.
The plans and programs available to CSULB students by Aetna are the student health insurance plan, dental plan and dental discount program.
Through the medical plan, students get access to Aetna’s network of hospitals, pharmacies and doctors across the U.S.
Students also receive worldwide medical coverage while staying abroad. In order to stay under the plan, CSULB students must have at least six units or be graduate students who have paid fees to the university, according to Aetna Student Health.
Through the Aetna dental PPO plan, students can visit participating or non-participating dentists for dental care. The dental discount program gives students discounts on various dental services.
Even though CSULB offers insurance through Aetna, not all students choose to go that way.
“I have health insurance through my parents,” said Edwin Flores, a junior recreations major. “I knew that CSULB has health services, but I didn’t know they have insurance.”
Just like Flores, Shanna Emrich, a junior finance major, depends on her parents for insurance. “I have Blue Cross health insurance. If I graduate I lose my parents insurance, because I have to be a fulltime student to get it.”
However, there are some who aren’t as lucky as others to have insurance.
“I used to have health insurance through my mom but I don’t anymore,” said Nolan Dunich, a senior biochemistry major. “I have been looking into health insurances lately, but it is pretty expensive. Considering all the other costs you have it’s easier just to not have it.”
Dunich said he would like to have good but inexpensive health coverage.
“If I come across something that is really great that doesn’t cost too much, I would take it,” Dunich said.
Many insurance carriers will not let students stay on their parents’ plans once they graduate, nor will they be able to stay under the coverage offered by the university through Aetna.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers are expecting to hire 22 percent fewer college graduates than last year.
Healthy people may be able to find a more affordable plan in the individual health insurance market, providing comparable coverage to insurance from the university or their parents, according to eHealth, a website with information on health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses.
They also suggest that people speak to a licensed agent if they have a pre-existing health condition. The agent can tell them whether or not their condition will exclude them from qualifying for an individual policy.
A good place to search for policies is with an online broker. Every broker must sell policies by the same price, therefore people will not be able to find a better deal by switching brokers. A large number of plans can be found online.
Health insurance should not be tied to jobs especially when a person is freelancing or changing jobs frequently. An individual health insurance plan will stay with each person no matter what happens with their career.
An online broker can protect private information by allowing people to search for quotes anonymously and without selling private information to other brokers.
Private health insurance plans do not automatically cover maternity benefits, which may save money. However, those planning to get pregnant should look for a plan that covers maternity care.
Those who will be working within a couple of months after graduation may also consider a short-term health insurance plan. Short-term health insurance usually last about six months. It has less string qualifications and is a good solution in the time between graduation and the start of a new job.
For more information contact the Associated Student Inc. at (562) 985-4994 or visit www.aetnastudenthealth.com.