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Prescription Plans for Students

Health care in America is costly, and insurance to cover the high cost of prescriptions has become a necessity. Because students often can't afford insurance, many decide to trust that they're young and healthy and go without. Unfortunately, not everyone who is young is healthy and not everyone who's healthy stays that way. Having prescription coverage is important for everyone, including students. Students needing prescription coverage will find options exist for them. Some options take some work and follow-up to obtain.

  1. School Group Plans

    • Most universities and colleges, including public community colleges, offer full-time students group health insurance plans that include prescription coverage. Schools usually negotiate with insurers to get the best rates possible. Some schools with medical programs, such as the University of Washington, organize their own student health insurance with care, including prescriptions provided with little to no co-payment through the the school's medical facilities.

    International Student Coverage

    • Special private prescription plans exist just for international students attending programs in the United States. Because many students retain health insurance coverage from their home countries that reimburses their costs, they may not have adequate provisions for American prescription costs. Many carriers offering supplemental plans can be found online, and international program offices at colleges and universities sometimes have referral information available.

    Government Options

    • Students in a bind may need to turn to the government. Medicaid is available to those with low incomes and gives special priority to uninsured minors. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services encourages anyone in need to apply for benefits, even if they think they might be rejected. Meeting with a Medicaid counselor is free and may result in coverage. Additionally, some states, including Texas, have state insurance pools that offer prescription coverage to those who are rejected repeatedly by private carriers. This coverage is usually extended to those with pre-existing conditions that make them undesirable to private insurers as well as those who don't qualify for Medicaid. The Texas Department of Insurance encourages students to turn to this option if other avenues have failed them.

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