Health insurance is key for parents and families alike, but one group that is often overlooked in the health insurance quote arena is college students. When they leave home to go away to college, many parents and students assume that they will be covered under the family health insurance plan. In many cases, however, this is not true. Family plans are often limited to a specific geographic area or network of doctors, and can leave college students out in the cold when they go away to school. This can be difficult for students as they will often need at least minor medical attention in their first year away from home as they adapt to a changing environment. Options for students leaving home for the first time include what are known as campus health plans, which can have a number of benefits.

A campus health plan is one administered by the school itself, often with the aid of an outside insurance company. Many universities and colleges will have on-site medical facilities that will have treatment options covered under campus health plans. These plans are often partially subsidized by fees that college students pay to enroll at the college, making the fees far lower than those of a standard health insurance plan. A health insurance quote for a campus health plan will be far lower than those of traditional plans, as they will only cover students so long as they remain at the school and are intended to provide only limited care while the student is at school.

While campus health plans offer a number of great benefits to students, they must bear a number of things in mind. The first is that campus health plans are not going to cover things like surgeries or referral services, but instead immediate treatments that college students cannot afford. As well, though the fees will be low, the wait times will often be long. With thousands of students on campus, especially at peak or stressful times of the year, it can be difficult to get service at a campus health center. Students should be prepared to consider other options if they are seriously ill or injured, but campus health services can offer first-line treatment for student that are sick or injured.

To avoid the problem of lack of coverage for college students, a campus health plan can be a viable and inexpensive option. So long as students understand the limitations inherent in the plan, and use it as it is intended, the plan can be a great way to protect them in their time away from home, and ensure that they return safe, healthy and sound.