College-bound students will soon begin their transition to campus. Parents are prepping their collegiate students with all the supplies they need to succeed, from books to bedding. One aspect of college life that many underprepare for is establishing how and where to seek medical or behavioral health care while away at school. If you have dependents leaving the nest, equip them with the tools needed to access care.
Lay the groundwork for smart health care consumerism by
- demonstrating how to locate in-network providers online,
- providing copies of insurance cards, and
- explaining where to seek care for different conditions.
Many carriers offer tools that conveniently identify where in-network providers and sites of care are located. While health care may not be at the forefront of every college student’s mind it’s important to discuss where the appropriate outlets are for various illnesses or injuries. Differentiating between the purpose of emergency room and urgent care visits helps avoid unnecessary, costly bills and saves time finding the right treatment. For example, urgent care is the appropriate location to receive stitches for a cut but isn't the setting to treat a broken bone.
A student moving to attend or leave school is considered a change in residence, which is a qualifying life event (QLE) and would make the student eligible to secure individual coverage through healthcare.gov. This can be an attractive option for those with limited networks that do not offer in-network coverage near the student’s campus.
