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What You Need to Know
You need health insurance coverage if you’re a college student in Connecticut.
If you purchase a health plan through the Affordable Care Act, you or your family may be eligible for a federal subsidy.
If you have a low income, Medicaid or CHIP may be good options for you.
Health Insurance Options for Connecticut Students
If you’re heading off to school, health insurance may be the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important that Connecticut college students have healthcare coverage. Fortunately, you have many health insurance options in Connecticut.
Why Connecticut Students Need Health Insurance
First, depending on the college you attend, health insurance may be mandatory. Even if it’s not required, a health insurance policy can help you pay for medical expenses if you get sick or hurt.
What to Consider When Searching for Student Health Coverage in Connecticut
There are several questions to ask before you look for student health insurance in Connecticut including:
- Will You Attend School In-State or Out of State? If you attend college out of state and you’re on your parent’s health insurance, their plan may not cover the doctors and hospitals in your area.
- Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent? If someone claims you as a dependent on their tax return, you’re considered part of their household. This impacts how you answer questions on household income and size if you apply for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan or a free or low-cost plan through the government.
- Will You Stay on Your Parents’ Plan or Enroll in Your Own Plan? Under the ACA, you can stay on your parent’s plan until you turn 26. But if you’re attending school as an out-of-state student, you may find your parent’s plan doesn’t provide the coverage you need.
- Which Plans Are Cheaper? For many students, the cost of insurance is the most important factor in making a decision. There’s more to consider than the monthly premium. You should also factor in the plan’s deductible, coinsurance, and copayment, which all play a role in its overall cost.
- Which Plans Offer Better Coverage? Make sure the plan you choose covers the services and medicines you typically use as well as the doctors and hospitals in your area.
- What If You Skip Health Insurance? If you pass on health insurance, you’ll have to pay for physician visits, prescription medications, and treatments out-of-pocket. This can steer you toward significant medical debt. Also, you may not have a choice, since most schools in Connecticut require it.
How to Get Covered Under Your Parents’ Plan in Connecticut
If you’re under 26, you may stay on your parent’s health insurance plan. If you choose this option, make sure it provides the coverage you need. If you’re over 26, you’ll need to get your own health insurance.
Check coverage
If you stay on your parent’s plan, make sure it covers doctors and hospitals near your school.
How to Get Covered Under Your School Plan in Connecticut
Health insurance is required by most schools in Connecticut. Your college may offer a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). At Trinity College, for example, health insurance is mandatory for all traditional undergraduate students. Students can opt for a Wellfleet plan that costs $2,464 annually.1
University of Connecticut also requires full-time students to have health insurance.
It offers a Wellfleet medical plan. It’s available to incoming students for $1,153 for the fall semester. For continuing students, it’s $1,682 for the spring semester.2
Students can use this plan to cover costs at UConn Student Health & Wellness, the school’s on-site healthcare facility that offers student health services.3 If you have comparable health insurance via your parent’s plan, you don’t have to enroll in UConn SHIP as long as you complete a health insurance waiver demonstrating you have adequate healthcare coverage.4
If you purchase a SHIP plan, check to make sure your plan offers the ACA’s essential health benefits.
Consider all costs
There’s more to the cost of your insurance plan than the premium you pay each month.
How to Get Covered through the Affordable Care Act in Connecticut
You can choose from a number of health insurance options and carriers through Access Health CT,5 the state-run exchange in Connecticut.6 Depending on your income, you may qualify for a federal subsidy. Use this calculator to find out if you’re eligible.
- Apply with your parents: If you’re under 26 and your parents also need health insurance in Connecticut, you can apply with them.
- Apply by yourself. If you’re over 26, or you’re attending school out of state, you can apply on your own.
If your parents claim you as a dependent on their tax return, you’ll include their income as well as yours on your application. If they don’t, you’ll only include your income.
How You Get Covered through Medicaid or CHIP in Connecticut
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that offers health coverage to low-income Americans. If your parents don’t claim you as a dependent on their tax return and you pay for your own plan, it may be available to you. You can visit ConneCT for more information.7
- CHIP: Connecticut Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), known as HUSKY B, provides health coverage to uninsured children who are under age 19. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you may want to look into HUSKY B.8
Other Options for Coverage in Connecticut
- Catastrophic health plan: If you’re under 30, you’re eligible for a catastrophic health plan. If you’re over 30, you can apply for a hardship exemption. These plans have low premiums, and high deductibles and out-of-pocket fees.
- Short-term health insurance: Temporary health insurance or short-term health insurance offers temporary coverage for when you have a gap in permanent coverage. It’s less expensive than other options, but it’s not required to cover preexisting conditions or preventive services like ACA plans do. You can purchase short-term plans from private insurers.
Resources for Connecticut Students
These resources to help you find the right student health insurance plan in Connecticut:
Next Steps
If you’re a college student in Connecticut, it’s important to know the various health insurance options available. Having a policy can protect you financially in the event of an illness or injury. Be sure to explore all your options to find the right one for your unique situation.
