One In Five College Students Uninsured

Two million college students were uninsured in 2006, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Students spanning the ages of 18 through 23 racked up an estimated $120 million to $255 million in unpaid care.

Those who tended to lack health insurance as college students mirrored those who lack insurance across the nation. “We found that certain groups of students, including part-time students, older students, students from racial and ethnic minority groups, and students from families with lower incomes, were more likely than other groups of college students to be uninsured,” the study said.

The GAO found that more than half of the nation’s colleges offered student insurance plans. However, college students who had insurance were most likely to be covered under a parent’s plan. Customarily, most insurers allow a child to be listed as a dependent until age 18 or through age 22 if the child is enrolled in college full-time. Various states have extended the period of time that dependents may be listed on a health plan.

Some students opt for COBRA coverage or may be eligible for public health programs, like Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The NASE supports the creation of a simpler process for states to use SCHIP dollars to subsidize employer-sponsored coverage.

Full survey results: here.