Health insurance for nursing students?

Megsd, BSN, RN · May 8, 2007

I had to demonstrate proof of insurance while I was in school. Many universities offer coverage for students through the school. That might be an option for you temporarily that is probably cheaper than private coverage.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 8, 2007

a lot of major university's have a student health service available to their students. if you are going to a cc then they should have information on low cost health insurance. then you can get the cheapest plan allowed. i was looking at one time and it was something like 70/month

MikeyJ, RN · May 8, 2007

What happens if you don't have health insurance coverage when starting nursing school? Or what happens if you lose the coverage you do have while in the program? My husbands job might be closing, and I cant afford private coverage- what gonna happen?

You most likely don't need the insurance right when you start nursing school, but you will have to show proof before you step foot into a hospital. The proof of insurance isn't for the schools peace of mind, but rather the hospitals where you will be doing your clinicals.

Like the other posters said, your school probably offers a reduced student insurance plan (if you are attending a university). If you are at a CC, then they may have a list of cheap insurance plans or may work with an insurance company to provide cheap insurance to students.

maireez · May 9, 2007

What happens if you don't have health insurance coverage when starting nursing school? Or what happens if you lose the coverage you do have while in the program? My husbands job might be closing, and I cant afford private coverage- what gonna happen?

Are you sure its not the malpractice insurance?

kalmeira · May 10, 2007

We are required to present proof of health insurance on the first day of nursing class, clinicals start a month and a half later. I guess it depends on you school when you need it by. I got a student insurance plan that was $320 for 6 months. I think it was called student select. You could probably find it easily on google.

We also have a Liability Insurance thing that we pay to the school. It is totally different and is only about $10-20.

Asklepios · May 10, 2007

This is a topic of great interest to me. When I start NS in September, I will be quitting a job that provides an excellent group plan (Blue Cross/Blue Shield, no need for primary physicians, etc.). My contribution is higher than, say, a government employee might pay, but overall it's not bad.

My other concern is that I have been dealing with an ongoing situation over the last year that I think insurance companies would probably consider chronic, and they usually charge more for people with pre-existing chronic conditions.

My plan is to hopefully get COBRA to keep the benefits I have for as long as it will allow, then switch to a plan sponsored by the college. I'm just hoping there will not be any obstacles to doing this.

iHeartNICU · May 11, 2007

We could either provide proof of our own insurance or buy the school's which is something like $500/semester.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 11, 2007

This is a topic of great interest to me. When I start NS in September, I will be quitting a job that provides an excellent group plan (Blue Cross/Blue Shield, no need for primary physicians, etc.). My contribution is higher than, say, a government employee might pay, but overall it's not bad.
My other concern is that I have been dealing with an ongoing situation over the last year that I think insurance companies would probably consider chronic, and they usually charge more for people with pre-existing chronic conditions.
My plan is to hopefully get COBRA to keep the benefits I have for as long as it will allow, then switch to a plan sponsored by the college. I'm just hoping there will not be any obstacles to doing this.

Maybe this will help (hopefully it's not false hope) - the insurance we have through Duke is a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan with a flat rate and is considered a group plan (like an employer's is). I have asthma; the only thing they did was impose a 30 day waiting period b/f they'd cover anything related to that.

I just made sure I was well stocked up on my drugs and was extra-careful (of course, I could still go to Student Health for free, I just couldn't get meds right away). I had no problems and pay the same rate as everyone else.

Also - our school plan isn't perfect, but it's adequate. I cut my finger last semester and had to get stitches in the ED; the bill (for five stitches!) was over $2000 and we only paid $180. Yes, a chunk of change, but it was better than facing the $2K! So I was relatively happy with that (after I wrote the check, mind you... )

Find out who the plan provider is and call them; you don't have to give your name though you'll probably have to tell them what school. Tell them you don't have a plan yet but you're exploring your options. Ask them what parameters are required for a "chronic" condition and ask them about any waiting periods.

danh3190 · May 12, 2007

Our school required proof of insurance by the start of school. If we didn't have insurance we had the option of signing a release instead.

Asklepios · May 12, 2007

Maybe this will help (hopefully it's not false hope) - the insurance we have through Duke is a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan with a flat rate and is considered a group plan (like an employer's is). I have asthma; the only thing they did was impose a 30 day waiting period b/f they'd cover anything related to that.
I just made sure I was well stocked up on my drugs and was extra-careful (of course, I could still go to Student Health for free, I just couldn't get meds right away). I had no problems and pay the same rate as everyone else.
Also - our school plan isn't perfect, but it's adequate. I cut my finger last semester and had to get stitches in the ED; the bill (for five stitches!) was over $2000 and we only paid $180. Yes, a chunk of change, but it was better than facing the $2K! So I was relatively happy with that (after I wrote the check, mind you... )
Find out who the plan provider is and call them; you don't have to give your name though you'll probably have to tell them what school. Tell them you don't have a plan yet but you're exploring your options. Ask them what parameters are required for a "chronic" condition and ask them about any waiting periods.

Thanks for the info!!! I will be really happy if things are like that here. It will ease one of the biggest concerns I have about starting the program this fall.