What do you do for your kids for health insurance for Out of State Colleges-HMO?

[MelanieC]

It's open enrollment at work, so I decided to call our Insurance Co. to see what happens when DD17 goes off to college next August. She seemed to act like she isn't covered at all unless its a hospital emergency. I really thought they had something for when you are out of network.

She will be covered under the Student Health Center for some things like during hour Doctor visits, and some routine tests. Things like x-rays, lab work, stitches, etc, are not covered.

We have other options like an 80/20 plan, but I see that having the potential to raise our out of pocket costs for my hubby, me and my DS12 here at home. Having an HMO is so nice because you have the peace of mind to know that you don't have a huge hospital bill if you end up in the hospital. I don't worry about needing x-rays, lab work, needing to go to a special at the moment. I would worry if I didn't have an HMO and one of us was hopsitalized and racked up a huge bill for a big emergency.

So if I break this down, keeping the HMO and utilizing the Student Health center and the mandatory Prepaid Student Health Fee.

One thing to also consider is she is staying during the summer from May to August for the first year to establish residency (I could get her insurance just for the summer and it was only $359).

Car Accident - covered under auto policy
Medical Emergency requiring ER or Hospital Stay -covered under HMO with co-pay's
Routine sickness- needs to see a Dr. -covered at Student Health Services
Vaccinations - Covered on HMO & I also believe at Student Health Services
Routine Diagnostic tests - could get at home when on visits (Thanksgiving Winter & Spring Break).
Diagnostic x-rays, labwork, etc. - - Unless she is in the hospital or emergency room we would have to pay for these. I have to find out from HMO more info on if Student Health Services tells her to go to the University Hospital to the lab there or x-ray dept there (like I do here when I need those-I go to our local hospital for them or our local independant lab that is on our plan), if it would be covered.

There is an insurance through Aetna (where my HMO is at) that is for Students and the plan for her school is a little over $2000 for the year (around $176 per month).

So what have others done for insurance while your kid is in school out of state. She will be a 16 hour car ride from home. I have till 11/6 to change my insurance during our open enrollment. DH is on a military trip till the end of the month, so I'm a little worried that we won't have adequate time to discuss.

 

[golfgal]

Car Accident= A LITTLE is covered under car insurance.

Find an insurance broker in your area and look for an individual policy for her. You should be able to get it for a lot less then 178/month and have it cover the major medical stuff that isn't handled under the student center. This is a huge drawback with HMO's. Also, do your out of pocket costs really increase that much if you end up having to pay for a policy for your DD?

 

[trip]

So what have others done for insurance while your kid is in school out of state. She will be a 16 hour car ride from home. I have till 11/6 to change my insurance during our open enrollment. DH is on a military trip till the end of the month, so I'm a little worried that we won't have adequate time to discuss.

Is your DH in the military? If so, your DD would be covered under Tricare Standard - no extra charge for this.

 

[Christine]

I don't have an HMO, I have a PPO and we didn't have to do anything different. She is covered wherever she goes.

You may just have to pay the extra to upgrade your plan to a PPO, or you'll be paying it out is some other manner.

 

[freckles and boo]

The university doesn't offer an insurance plan for students? I was required to enroll because I was no longer on my parents' insurance.

 

[disney1990]

Our insurance company had HMO doctors in the area where our daughter attends school. When she aged out of our insurance, she went on the college insurance plan -- not the best, but better than nothing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My DH's employer is in MD and we have some funky insurance b/c of that. But living in Florida, we still have in network care.

There should be *some* in network phsyicians in the location your daughter is traveling to. The choices may be limited, but certainly something you should look into.

My DH has had field assignments for his previous employer. His insurance did not change, but he still had access to "in network" physicians at his locations.

(I used an in network ER in VA despite us "living" in Florida.)

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks everyone,
I have a lot to look at and figure out in a short period of time.


Trip - DH is in the Air National Guard both part time and as a Civilian Govt. Employee. We don't have Tricare because he is not active duty. We also don't use his Govt insurance because mine is less expensive.