Finding affordable health insurance coverage is one of the most important tasks for new college students. Being away from home for the first time, students are especially vulnerable to illnesses and injuries that can cost a fortune to treat without insurance. However, there are many options available to students looking for low health insurance rates. Here is a look at three of the best options for college students seeking affordable coverage.

Employer-Provided Health Plans

Thanks to the 2010 health care reform bill, it is now possible for students to remain on their parent's employer-provided insurance plan until the age of 26. This extension will allow most students to remain covered under their parent's plan until they complete their college education. The biggest advantage to remaining covered under a parent's plan is that students will have access to very generous coverage that might also include dental and vision coverage.

However, students might find that the location of their college hinders their ability to utilize their parent's plan. For example, a student attending college in a smaller town might find it harder to find a provider that accepts his or her parent's health insurance plan. It is important to become familiar with the networks offered by an employer-sponsored plan to determine whether it will be suitable for use in college.

College-Sponsored Insurance Plans

Another common option for students in need of affordable health insurance is to enroll in a college-sponsored insurance plan. The biggest advantage is that college-sponsored plans offer convenience. Many universities make it easy to enroll in these plans and pay the premiums, along with the tuition bill, at the beginning of the semester.

The main disadvantage of college-sponsored insurance plans is that they often only provide for the bare necessities when it comes to coverage. Students requiring extras, such as medications, dental care and optometry services, might find that they will need to pay extra for these essentials. It is especially important for students enrolled in college-sponsored plans to determine what they will and will not receive coverage for.

Individual Health Insurance Plans

Before settling on a college-sponsored plan, students should compare individual plans offered by private insurance companies to the ones offered by their college or university. Young healthy students can take advantage of lower health insurance rates from major insurance providers. Further, individual plans come closer to the high quality of coverage that is offered under employer-sponsored plans.

For many students, remaining under their parent's plan is the best way to secure affordable health insurance. However, students can find individual and college-sponsored plans that also fit their budgets and provide them with the level of coverage they need.