Health Insurance for Students

On this page

• Option 1: Stay on a parent’s plan
• Option 2: The school’s student health plan
• Option 3: A marketplace plan
• Option 4: Medicaid
• How to choose
• Frequently asked questions

Option 1: Stay on a parent’s plan

For most students, a parent’s plan is the simplest route. Under the ACA, children can stay on a parent’s job-based or marketplace plan until they turn 26, even if they’re married, living on their own or not financially dependent. Parents can usually add you during the open enrollment period or after a qualifying life event.

The catch is the network. If you study in another state, find out whether the plan has in-network doctors near campus, because HMO and EPO plans often cover only emergencies outside their area. Here’s how to check whether a doctor is in network.

Emergency care is protected wherever you are. ACA plans must cover emergencies without prior approval and at in-network cost-sharing, and federal law bans most surprise out-of-network bills for emergency care. Ask the insurer how follow-up visits work, and read how emergency room visits are covered. Parents of younger kids may also want health insurance for children.

Option 2: The school’s student health plan

Many colleges and universities offer a student health insurance plan. Most are full, ACA-compliant coverage, and the premium is often billed with tuition and fees, where financial aid may help cover it. Schools that require coverage usually enroll you automatically unless you file a waiver showing other insurance by a deadline.

Student plans are convenient and built around campus health services, but prices vary a lot by school and coverage often follows the academic year. Before you enroll or waive, check the deductible, the network away from campus, and whether the plan covers summer. International students are often required to buy the school plan; see whether health insurance is required for international students.

Option 3: A marketplace plan

You can buy a plan on HealthCare.gov or your state’s marketplace during open enrollment, or after a qualifying event such as losing other coverage or moving to a new area. Marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions and essential benefits. You can also buy an ACA plan directly from an insurer, but subsidies only come through the marketplace.

Whether you get a premium tax credit comes down to taxes. If a parent claims you as a dependent, you’re part of their household and eligibility depends on their income. If you file on your own and your income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, a subsidy can lower the cost of monthly premiums a lot.

Students under 30 can also buy a catastrophic plan, which has low premiums and a very high deductible equal to the out-of-pocket maximum: $10,600 in 2026 and $12,000 in 2027. Premium tax credits can’t be used on catastrophic plans.

Option 4: Medicaid

Medicaid covers people with low incomes at little or no cost. In the 41 states (including DC) that expanded it, adults generally qualify with income up to 138% of the poverty level, about $22,025 a year for one person under the 2026 guidelines. How your income is counted depends on whether someone claims you as a dependent, so apply through your state or HealthCare.gov and let them sort it out.

Don’t confuse Medicaid with Medicare, the federal program for people 65 and older and some people with disabilities. See who is eligible for Medicare.

How to choose

	Parent’s plan	Student plan	Marketplace plan
What you pay	Any added cost on the parent’s premium	Set by the school, often billed with tuition	Depends on age, location and any subsidy
Doctors near campus	Depends on the network	Usually, plus the campus clinic	Pick a plan with local doctors
Covers breaks and summer	Yes	Depends on the plan term	Yes, all year
Ends	At 26	When you leave school or the term ends	When you cancel or stop paying

Look past the premium to out-of-pocket costs. A cheap plan with a $9,000 deductible can cost more over a bad year than a pricier plan with lower cost-sharing. For a fuller checklist, see what to compare between health insurance plans and our look at the best health insurance companies. Wondering whether coverage is mandatory? Read is health insurance required for college students.

Buying your own plan? Compare quotes by ZIP code.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay on my parent’s plan if I’m not a student?

Yes. The age-26 rule applies whether or not you’re in school, married, working or living with your parents.

When does coverage on a parent’s plan end?

It depends on the plan. Job-based plans often end coverage at the end of the month you turn 26, while marketplace plans usually cover you through the end of that calendar year. Losing that coverage gives you 60 days to enroll in a new plan. More in how long you can stay on your parents’ health insurance.

Do student health plans cover summer break?

Some run 12 months and some only cover the academic year, so check the plan dates before you waive or buy.

Can international students buy a marketplace plan?

Lawfully present students, including those on F-1 visas, can buy marketplace plans. Starting in 2027, though, most people on student or other temporary visas won’t qualify for premium tax credits, so the school plan is often the practical choice.

This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules and prices change and vary by state and school, so check your school, HealthCare.gov or a licensed agent for your situation. Last reviewed September 2026.