Laws for Pennsylvania Health Insurance Coverage for a College Student

Pennsylvania laws help college students obtain health insurance. The state provides college students subsidized health insurance plans or government health care services. Pennsylvania's policies alleviate any financial burden a college student may face in the event of a medical emergency or need.

Act 4

• Act 4 passed in 2009 and covers all college-aged students under their parents' health insurance until the student is 30. When a Pennsylvania resident is enrolled full time in college, he is allowed to stay under his parents' health insurance as long as the student does not claim any dependents on a tax return. Any resident enrolled in a Pennsylvania school is eligible. In September 2010, all young adults under the age of 26 can remain on their parents' plan unless they are employed at a job that offers health insurance.

AdultBasic

• AdultBasic is a Pennsylvania state program that gives health insurance to anyone between the ages of 19 and 64. This policy is intended to cover part-time college students in Pennsylvania who work to pay for their educations. A student must be the only person covered in this plan and can only make between $5,100 and $21,660 a year. The state program gives students under the plan a subsidized program with a Pennsylvania health insurance company. Everything from preventative care to outpatient hospital services is provided through this program.

PA Fair Care

• Students with pre-existing conditions can enroll in the PA Fair Care insurance program. The program is recommended for people who are on the wait list for AdultBasic. To qualify, a student must have a pre-existing condition and be uninsured for at least six months. This state program, which covers major medical expenses, is aimed at students with a disability or medical condition.

College Plans

• Certain colleges in Pennsylvania offer illness and injury insurance plans for their students. For example, Penn State University has the Penn State Student Accident and Illness Plan. Penn State and other universities in Pennsylvania require students to have some level of health insurance. To reduce liability, these schools offer a minimal health insurance plan to students who meet eligibility requirements.