What are affordable health insurance for nursing students?

[italy]

I just got accepted to a community college that starts in the spring. I'm required to get health insurance if I do not have one. My school does not offer health insurance. I searched online and found the cheapest to be 220/month which is really expensive for me. What are affordable health insurance in the NJ area? Also, do these health insurance cover doctor visits/vaccinations? because i have to hand in my health form

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I believe Blue Cross Blue Shield has some inexpensive monthly plans particularly those designed to pay major medical bills and not routine, primary care types of things.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Are you under the age of 26? if so you may be able to go back on your parents' policy.

In NJ all full time college students are required by law to have medical & hospital insurance. (Check your school's website, for students with 12 credits or more it is to be included in the tuition & fees cost and can only be waived if the student proves they have adequate insurance coverage). Check your tuition bill for school. Unless you are going to attend a vocational school, colleges are required to offer some sort of coverage to all full time (12 credits or more) students. It is minimal/limited coverage and does not start until you are a full time student.

If your school is not considered a college, you can look into the state programs for individual health insurance: http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_insurance/ihcseh/ihcrates.htm

You can often get certain vaccinations for low/no cost at your local health dept. (Usually Tb testing & Hepatitis B, possibly more). There are federally qualified health centers (clinic) that offer medical care on a sliding fee scale, this may be an option to get a physical & vaccinations at a lower cost prior to enrolling as a full time student. You can search for a center here:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/cphc/index.shtml