Health Insurance Plans that will cover DL Students?

Are there any health insurance companies that will issue coverage to students who are taking online classes? I live in NY and it seems like most of the insurance policies mention that students taking internet classes are not eligible and that you have to be "actively attending classes."

Would Insurance companies ever find out that a student is taking online classes rather than being on campus? And what would happen if they did?

When they receive info about a student's enrollment in a school, would the papers usually mention that the student is taking Distance Learning classes?

I know having insurance is important, but if it means that I'd have to give up on DL then I won't even bother with insurance. Is there anything I can do?

 

Is it possible to choose a DL program through a primarily B & M school and check the "opt-in" box on your tuition & fees statement?

 

Just find the name of someone fairly high-up in the food chain in the registrar's office and call him/her. Don't talk about the specifics of the problem. Just tell him/her that your insurance carrier needs a letter, on university letterhead, that contains certain language which verifies that you are a student (or a full-time student, if that's what the carrier is looking for) enrolled in the university. Ask him/her if you can email or fax him/her with the precise language that the carrier is looking for (s/he will almost certainly say "yes") and ask him/her if s/he will simply have someone type those words onto the university's letterhead with a signature line show his/her title, then ask if s/he will sign it and send it to you so you can forward it to your insurance carrier. You can even ask him/her to address it to the carrier. Then, once received, I'd use it to prove to the carrier that I'm a student (or a full-time student, if that's what the carrier needs) at that university and that will be that.

At least that's what I'd do.

 

Are you asking this question so that you can be covered on your parents medical plan?

I recall that I needed to provide evidence every year that my step-son was enrolled - I submitted transcripts that showed more than 9 units per term.

Otherwise I do not see why any insurance company would not enroll you regardless of your educational endeavors. Check out Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser, or a local insurance agent.

 

Most schools have a health plan administrator that handles all the paperwork. They get notified by the school who is enrolled for the insurance and who has furnished proof for a waiver.

 

Less is more...

I can probably provide some insight here -- from a few perspectives. I am an HR professional, a distance learner and the mother of a student who has done some of her classes online and some of them sitting in a desk in a classroom.

My first bit of advice (and this does not apply just to the benefits question...but also to the resume-writing question that comes up from time to time) is that less is more.

WORD OF ADVICE ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS: DO NOT 'OVER-EXPLAIN' OR YOU WILL END UP HAVING TO EXPLAIN.

I receive applications and requests relatively often with a degree or program listed and in parentheses the applicant or employee will include (online degree program). As an online learner, I cringe, as I know that for the less-informed this will often generate questions or raised eyebrows.

My next question is this: Did you get this information from the insurance company itself, or was it the HR person's 'interpretation' of the policy requirements? I ask this because I run into a LOT of pseudo-HR folks (you'll notice I didn't use the term HR Professionals) who THINK they know what the HR laws and regs are re: benefits, but who are uninformed and disseminating incorrect information.

While each state is different and I have no experience with insurance regulations in NY, I've dealt with some of the 'big names' (the Blues, Aetna, etc.) in group health insurance for many years. It has been my experience that insurance companies usually just need either a copy of the student's enrollment or a certificate from the college or university which indicates that students are "actively enrolled". I've not seen them ask if the student actually sits at a desk.

Where are you enrolled? Is it a university that offers B&M programs, too? The reason I ask this is that my daughter attends a B&M and was enrolled completely online for one semester. I just had to provide a certificate from the college -- a copy of her enrollment -- and we had no problem keeping her covered under my policy.

Hope that helps...Mary

 

Most student health plans will not cover students in totally off campus classes. Insurance is of course based on the evaluation of risk, and of course on campus students have a lower overall risk than off campus non-traditional students.

That said I found that a BC/BS indemnity plan with a very high deductible and an understanding physician very workable. Unless you have pre-existing conditions you would probably be able to find an 80/20 plan with $5K deductible affordable (in the $50-60/month range) . It is important that you let your doctor know so she can be frugal as well. Limiting prescription drug use to only those needed and limiting lab and diagnostic studies to only those needed will be very cost saving to you. I never met the $5000 deductible, in fact I never spent more than $244 on healthcare in any one year. I ordered my lab tests online and found a $35 special for a complete chem, cbc w/ diff and UA. (the things they do at an annual physical) A pap can be had for $15 not including the doctor's fee for the office visit.

So speak to your doctor and then call an independent insurance agent (one who represents multiple carriers) and explain the situation, they should be able to find something. Another important point is to use the nurse line that almost every insurance company provides. I even used it and I am an RN.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. There is no reason you can't be insured and a distance learner simultaneously.