Mom looking for health insurance coverage for 19-yo son going out of state to college

goldenlove

Posted by goldenlove

on Dec 16, 2008

Hi. I'm a mom of a 19-year-old son who will be leaving here (MD) to attend college in Pittsburgh (PA) the middle of January. Our health insurance is through my husband's employer and unfortunately will not cover costs outside of this state, except in the case of emergencies. The school provided us with an insurance plan my son would be elligible for, but the premiums are expensive and I don't think we would be able to afford that. Not only that, but my son has ADHD and depression, for which he is on medications. The maximum the insurance company through the school would cover for medications is $100, and he would probably exceed that within the first three months. Is anyone aware of a program for health insurance for college students that is affordable? Or is there anyone familiar with a medical clinic in the Pittsburgh area that woud take him on as a patient? He will not have a car, but both my husband's family and my family are there and could take him to the doctor's if needed. I guess if worse came to worse, we could make monthly trips to Pittsburgh to give him his meds, and he could just go to a clinic in Walgreen's etc. when he got sick. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

More about: Health Insurance, College Student, Pittsburgh, medical coverage, ADHD and depression, medical clinics

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saramburo

2. saramburo posted on May 19, 2009

in response to W H O K N E W...

I found your post which may have been posted months ago, but it's never too late to help someone. Have you ever heard of Ameriplan? It's the #1 NATIONAL Discount Medical Program for individuals and families. PERFECT for college students who can't afford insurance or are underinsured. What your son could benefit from is the individual plan for just $15 a month to be covered for dental, vision, chiropractic, and prescription. I would love to share more, but check out this website www.mybenefitsplus.com/saramburo and read for yourself. Then email me at saramburo18@gmail.com and I will personally call and assist you with further information and even get him signed up right away. Whatever I can do to help families save on such needed care.

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Anonymous

1. Anonymous posted on Dec 16, 2008

From what I understand ( that you are saying) your son is still covered under your husband's policy as long as he is a fulltime student....

regarding his prescriptions: you can do this one of a few ways...

you can get his prescriptions filled at the local walgreens (by you) and mail them to his dorm ( he may have to pay for a po box on campus)
you can have walgreens mail his prescriptions directly to him at school to his po box ( the cost is minimal $2-$3 per script)
you may be able to have his scripts filled through the insurance company and mailed directly to him - some insurance companies allow this and send 3 months at a time -check with your insurance company about this.
another alternative: Walmart does offer $4 prescriptions on many medications- if your son is uninsured

If I knew what insurance company you had or what school he is going to I could offer more information.

But most schools do offer insurance (as you know) and it is included in the tuition ( an additional grant or loan may cover the cost)

Also schools do have clinics on campus to assist with medical needs. You could try the student services office on campus (if you haven't already) and explain your situation to them and see what they have to say.

Check with your insurance company (again) and speak to a supervisor - explain your son's situation ( he is going to school out of state) and ask if he will be covered (in or out of network) and/or what alternatives they can offer.

I have found this site (next student) which may or may not help. I have never used it personally, but you may want to check into it.

here is a list of health clinics in the pittsburgh area - if nothing else pans out, hopefully, one of them can help.

Here is another site I found to have some useful information

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/611834-best-health-insurance-out-town-college-student.html

I wish you and you son the best of luck!

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