Parents of College Students Urged To Review Health Insurance Coverages, Limits
Posted on: Friday, 22 September 2006, 18:00 CDT
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Diane Koken today reminded parents of college students to consider their children's health insurance needs before they become sick and need services.
"Most health insurance policies cover dependents who are full-time students until the age of 23, but individual policies may differ," said Koken. "Consumers should check with their health insurer to determine how their policy defines a full-time student, as well as the maximum age of coverage."
Commissioner Koken stressed the importance of determining how a college student living away from home can obtain coverage, whether they are enrolled in a health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) or other type of coverage.
"Consumers should speak with their insurance agent or plan representative in order to determine how benefits are provided to their children while they are at school," said Commissioner Koken.
Some students who are enrolled in HMO plans may find their college residence is located outside the HMO service area of physicians and hospitals. If this is the case, the student likely will be able to obtain coverage for emergency care, but may have to travel to a physician and hospital within the HMO service area for additional services.
Similarly, an insurer may pay benefits at out-of-network levels for students who are outside a PPO network. There may also be restrictions on pharmacies for necessary prescriptions.
Other simple steps parents can take include making sure their child has a copy of their relevant insurance cards and knows how to obtain any required approvals before seeking treatment.
For answers to questions about health insurance issues, consumers may contact the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's toll-free statewide number at (877) 881-6388, or visit http://www.insurance.state.pa.us/.
CONTACT: Rosanne Placey or Melissa Fox
(717) 787-3289
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
CONTACT: Rosanne Placey or Melissa Fox, Pennsylvania InsuranceDepartment, +1-717-787-3289
Web site: http://www.insurance.state.pa.us/
Source: PRNewswire
Related Articles
- Largest U.S. Health Insurer Rewarded Employees That Cancelled Coverage of Sick Patients
- Nine Pennsylvania Students Awarded Verizon Foundation Scholarships
- Non-Students Report More Dangerous Behaviors Than College Student Peers
- 26 Pennsylvania Students Awarded Verizon Foundation Scholarships
- Alegent Health Sharing Rebates With Employees Thanks to Consumer-Driven Plan
- Students 'Would Not Be Successful' in College
- Health Care Cost-Containment Strategies Working for Consumers, Seniors and Taxpayers
- PA Governor Rendell Says Standard & Poor's Study Shows Pennsylvania Students Benefiting From Targeted Investments in Education
- PA Governor Rendell Awards $160,000 in Grants to Help 9,300 Pennsylvania Students, Communities
- Students Get a $420,000 Incentive for College
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds