Top Health Insurance Options for Florida Students
1. ACA Marketplace Plans
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace offers plans that most students can enroll in through Healthcare.gov. These plans feature:
- Essential health benefits
- Subsidies to lower monthly premiums
- Options ranging from low-cost Bronze to comprehensive Gold plans
- Coverage that meets most university insurance requirements
ACA plans are often the best balance of price and coverage for students who do not have access to employer plans or school-provided policies.
White Chip Insurance helps students compare ACA plans, calculate subsidies based on income, and enroll with the most affordable option.
2. School Sponsored Health Insurance Plans
Many colleges and universities offer student health plans as an enrollment requirement or optional coverage. These plans often include:
- Campus health center access
- Preventive care and mental health services
- Competitive premiums for students
School plans can be ideal because they are tailored to student needs and coordinated with campus resources. However, they may not travel with you if you move off campus or leave school.
3. Parent or Family Health Insurance Plans
Students under age 26 can remain on a parent’s health insurance plan in many cases. This option can be ideal if:
- The parent’s plan has broad provider networks
- Premiums are low compared to individual plans
- The student plans to return home during breaks
Staying on a family plan can often be the most cost-effective choice, especially if it already meets your coverage needs.
4. Medicaid
If a student’s income is very low and they meet Florida eligibility requirements, Medicaid may provide free or very low-cost coverage. However, Florida has not expanded Medicaid, which means some low-income students may not qualify based solely on income.
White Chip Insurance helps determine whether Medicaid or an ACA marketplace plan is the better option based on income, household size, and eligibility.
5. Short-Term or Limited Benefit Plans
Short-term plans are temporary, lower cost, and offer limited coverage. These may be useful for short gaps in coverage but do not meet ACA requirements and often exclude essential benefits.
Short-term plans are generally not recommended for full-time students who need comprehensive care.