quick question about health insurance.. well a bit long...?

Question

I'm a senior in high school and am planning on taking off the first semester of college this fall... just because I need a break and I know it will do me a ton of good. I will go back! but... if you are not a full time student, you don't have health insurance anymore if you are under your parents'... what i'm wondering is... if you get dropped from being health insurance for not being a full time student, will the insurance pick you back up once you are a full time student again? I know it's only until you are 25 or something... but will they do this? I am going to call my insurance to be sure... just wondering... I don't even know if i'll get dropped in the first place if it's only a semester because I heard something about you can have insurance until you are 19 whether you are a full time student or not... but after that it drops if you are not.. because I will be eighteen when I eventually do start college... anybody have any suggestions?

thanks miss diamond... but you don't know my situation... and I'm going to take a semester off..

Answer 1

Once you're dropped because you are no longer a full-time student, you must requalify for coverage, unless you're below the age that dependents who are not full-time students are allowed to be (the age depends on the policy). To qualify as a "new" dependent (upon re-enrollment), you must be below a certain age (usually 18). Also, you can only be re-enrolled during your insuring parent's open enrollment). Because you'll be over the limiting age for dependents, you will not be permitted to re-enroll when the open enrollment begins.

You could elect to continue your coverage through COBRA, but the problem is that not all employers are required to offer COBRA; also, this coverage is quite expensive, since you'll be charged the entire premium (usually, employers pay a percentage of this cost for the employee as a fringe benefit). Have your insuring parent contact their employee benefits office at work to see if COBRA is an option, or if your state has continuation of coverage laws that are similar to COBRA.

The length of COBRA coverage in this instance is 36 months. See page 12 of this USDOL publication: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/cobraemployee.pdf

I want to emphasize this: if you elect COBRA and you change your mind and want to go back to your parent's plan, you WILL NOT be permitted to re-enroll if you are above the maximum age for a new dependent. This is different than the "limiting age" for dependents who are already covered, but not full-time students.

Answer 2

You’re probably right about being able to get coverage under your parent’s plan until you’re 25 as long as you are financially dependent on them. It does depend on where you live, though. You can check out your State Insurance Department to find out for sure (there’s a link below to State Insurance Departments). If you do need coverage while you’re taking a break, there are short-term medical plans which you can enroll in. And coverage for someone your age is relatively inexpensive; some plans targeting teenagers and twentysomethings cost as little as $75 dollars a month and include preventive care and regular doctor visits.

I’ve included a link to a Texas Insurance Department article that does a good job of explaining the various types of health insurance and how you can go about finding exactly what you need. If you’d like to compare locally available plans or speak to insurance agents, you can do so through MostChoice.com, which can be found here:

http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm

Congratulations on graduating!
Barnes@MostChoice

Answer 3

contact the insurance company... Some insurances are changing their policies are allowing those who are not college students coverage til an age other than 19... as for full time student.. yes I believe that is true..... taking off a semester the insurance will probably drop you.. listen... don't put a semester off... you college students get more days off than a state worker... a semester goes by fast

Answer 4

Many plans keep you on until you're 19 anyway, and then you can stay on until you're 23, if you're a full time student - and they will ask for written proof from the school.

Call member services at your plan and ask them if their non-student cut off age is 18 or 19. If it's 19, no worries. If it's 18, then take your chances for the six months.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Health insurance in this country has become a big joke. You spend 500 - 600 bucks per month and still you got to pay 25-40 as co-pay even if you visit a doctor just check your blood pressure. Be optimistic and for get about health insurance all that stuff. God is great.

Answer 6

If you are covered through your parent's policy through their job, you would be entitled to COBRA coverage for the time you are not a full time student. Once you start taking classes, you can come off COBRA and go back on the policy. I did this for my daughter when she took a year off from school. COBRA will cover you for 18 months in this situation. You will need to pay the premiums during the time you are on COBRA, , but again, once you return to school, you can go back on the regular policy. You would then be entitled to COBRA when you graduated from college for an additional 18 months. Make sure you notify the insurance company of your election of COBRA benefits for the time you are not in school.

Answer 7

depends on the company