If a dependent child is on a family health insurance plan and he/she is a full time student and financially dependent through tax returns, the dependent can remain until he/she turns 24 years old.  There are a few considerations to look for at for full time students over the age of 18.  Let's investigate further how health insurance in California works for young adults from age 18 to 24.

College sponsored health insurance plans

We typically receive calls from parents who have a child in college and they want to investigate their coverage options.  Many times, a college will offer some type of health insurance plan for their full time students.  The question becomes whether the parent should cancel the student off of the family plan and take the college plan option.  There are a few things to look at. 

A few issues to look at with College sponsored health insurance

College plans can be watered down in benefits or treat out of network (let's say when the student returns home for break or summer) with limited or no coverage.  Some colleges have world-renowned medical centers which provides great coverage while on campus or close.  Double check how the plan treats coverage out of network and make sure there are not caps on benefits such as fixed amount the carrier will pay (per year, per incident, per injury, or per night).

Eligibility is also based on full-time status so if the student takes a year off or goes with reduced hours (say in conjunction with an internship or job) may no longer qualify.  If the student is healthy and he/she might be able to qualify for their own individual plan but individual health insurance in California is medically underwritten.  They can decline coverage or raise rates based on pre-existing conditions.  

Remaining on the family policy as a full time student

Compare the college sponsored health plan and/or individual plan options with the student remaining on the family health plan.  If the family has more than one child as a dependent, the rate may be the same even if the college student comes off the plan.  However, if the family plan goes from a family basis (two adults and 1 child dependent) to two adults, the rate may change and that needs to be considered.  Even if the student qualifies (full time basis and dependent on family as a tax basis), he or she will probably need to come off a California family health insurance plan at age 24 either way.  You want to make sure the family plans works well for the student.  This is usually a network issue.  HMO plans will likely not work for students are studying away from home.  PPO's may work better especially with Anthem Blue Cross or Blue Shield of California due to their participation in the Blue Card program which extends benefits to other areas and States. 

Having both individual family health insurance and college sponsored health plans

Some students keep their individual or family dependent health insurance while on the college plan.  Some college health plans require that students to enroll.  The individual family health insurance is really a safety measure or there to cover issues out of network or out of bounds for the college plan.  You really need to evaluate both options and their rules for having dual coverage to make the right decision as each college and health insurance carrier has different rules.

Other important concepts to help you understand your California health insurance quote are:

Individual health insurance underwriting
Individual health enrollment
The concept of health insurance
Understanding health insurance costs


To run your instant health insurance:

California Individual Family health insurance quote