The majority of college students are unaware of their health insurance plan, mostly due to two factors: the negligence of teaching the subject in most curricula, and because most students under 26 fall under their parents’ health insurance plans as per the Affordable Care Act.
“Most incoming college students have little knowledge of health insurance. They know if they have an insurance card and where to find it but very little knowledge of the type of plan, co-pays, deductibles, benefits in and out-of-network, etc. They rely on their parents to take care of any health insurance related questions or to navigate the insurance system,” said Kathy Maloney, PHD, Director of Health Services at Monmouth University
“I have no idea how any of that [health insurance] works and the only reason I have health insurance now is through my parents. Schools need to seriously consider teaching us these things and actually preparing us for the real world,” said Jacob Evenson, a senior biology student.
“Either you’re trying to figure it [health insurance] out on your own in college or you’re in a plan with your family that will soon require you to be on your own plan,” said Estellsy Acuahuitl, a sophomore biology student.
“It [Health insurance education] would be helpful to those who don’t know what to do or how to register,” said Allianna Makowski, a senior studying English and professional writing.
One of the issues with not being taught about the complex insurance system is most states require adults to be on their own insurance plan at 26 years old. When these young adults face frustration and confusion in registering for health insurance through a system and terminology they’ve never been exposed to, they may choose to remain uninsured. According to the United States Census Bureau, “about 1 in 4 uninsured people were 26 to 34 years old” in 2017. Individuals without parental support in health insurance may face the pressure of choosing the uninsured route earlier than age 26 for the same reason of intimidation and not understanding how to register or the importance of it.
Maloney explained, “Monmouth University does not require students to show proof of health insurance. Uninsured students run the risk of unexpected medical bills should they experience a health event. This can interfere with their ability to continue their education.”
Medical expenses in the United States can soar due to doctor fees, laboratory fees, specialist fees, imaging fees, ambulance, and emergency bills. When considering all these expenses along with a yearly college tuition that also often costs tens of thousands of dollars, students may not be able to afford being a student anymore. Many students struggling to pay for a textbook survive on the hope that if they’re uninsured, they won’t end up needing any kind of medical attention.
According to Alisha Cook, a Supervisor for Oscar Health insurance, “It could be the best insurance or the worst insurance, but it still comes down to cost.” Individuals should not be uninsured when financially capable due to the reason for confusion in enrolling.
Colleen Beach, a Specialist Professor in the School of Social Work. feels a solution to this could be expanding education curricula in America to include teaching students about health insurance as early as high school. “It is important that adolescents and young adults understand the healthcare system and the way health insurance can impact their options in life…Many of the uninsured have a high school education or less, so getting the information out to people while they are in school can be critical to emphasizing how important it can be to maintaining their quality of life,” said Beach.
Maloney also highlighted the importance of health insurance education to college students. “It would be most helpful for students,” she said, “especially graduating seniors, to understand health insurance plans. This is particularly important when seeking a job and finding out what is being offered in terms of health insurance coverage. Students who are uninsured or under-insured would greatly benefit from learning about available plans, premiums, coverage, and open enrollment periods.”
Although health insurance education will not solve the issue of insurance being expensive with monthly premiums, copays, and deductibles, it can foster a generation of young adults who will be able to enroll and understand the insurance system when financially capable or legally required to do so.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people who didn’t have health insurance because they didn’t know the risks of not having it [health insurance],” said Keith Gosselin, a licensed social worker, registered nurse, nursing student at William Paterson University, and a full-time employee at an insurance company. “I think being educated on it [health insurance] earlier in life in high school… maybe start with a six-week course every year… for all throughout high school; it would definitely benefit them and society as well.”
