I'm 18 and not covered by insurance at all, what's the best option available?

Question

Help me out please...

I'm 18 with no health insurance and I wanna know the best option I have right now. I used to be covered by my single mom's insurance but she doesn't want to pay for it anymore (including her own) and won't tell why...

I work part-time at two local hospitals and am a full-time college student so I can't get it through my job but I remember seeing somewhere that students get discounts through certain plans?

Also, I'm on tetracycline (generic form of minocycline) right now for my condition but it's not doing the job so I really wanna go back to my old medicine...problem is that it costs $372 compared to the $4 generic I buy. Also I need to get an eye exam and some glasses. There are some other issues I wanna get checked out but I've been real hesitant because I'm scared that my doctors going to prescribe something expensive....

It's obvious I really NEED to get insurance but I can't afford anything expensive atm..so what should I do?

Thanks for reading my long question and all answers are appreciated..

Answer 1

If you are fairly healthy then it is pretty easy to find a cheap student health insurance plan.

Be sure that you check with your school and also shop around amongst some of the reputable companies in your state. Try Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Humana, etc. and make sure that you stay away from discount cards and other scams masquerading as health insurance.

If you are fairly healthy then you can probably find an individual health insurance plan for $50 to $75 a month. Be sure to shop around and compare at least 3-5 different quotes. Here is some more information on finding cheap student medical insurance:

Answer 2

First, contact your university or college and ask if they have a co-op or group plan for students. If they don't, perhaps you can get care at the student medical center if one is available at your university. I believe most colleges require a student to be insured in some way.

Second, try the link below. Most major health insurers have student plans available. If I were you and paying on my own, I would go with an HMO because you can get all your care in one place, and usually for one co-pay. I have the company below myself, and have gotten excellent care through many major illnesses and conditions. They do it all--lab work, preventative care, pharmacy, physical therapy, vision, dental and podiatry work, and of course major medical stuff too.

Most general health plans don't pay for glasses, but they will pay for an eye exam to get a glasses prescription. That's probably a better deal anyway, because there are a lot of places you can get glasses cheaply. Look at some of the local places who dispense glasses (Eyemasters, Pearle Vision, Sears vision, Wal-Mart, etc.) for their 2-pair-for-the-price-of-1 deals--and get a friend or family member to go with you and get glasses at the same time. You'll both pay half price that way.

Good luck to you! I hope you find something soon.

http://p.kaiser-permanente.org/m/p/kp/QH...

Answer 3

You might want to try to get "Health Choice" since you are a student. You only need to call your local DSS office and inquire about it.

Answer 4

Sometimes, schools have health plans - or know of insurance providers that provide health plans - for students.  Check at your school.

Answer 5

Do some searching for student health insurance, you may find a decent rate that way.  Also, a lot of schools offer a health insurance plan so you can try to go through them.  As a full time student you should have access to a health center on campus.  While these dont always have the most steller doctors, they tend to be affordable.  many schools also have a pharmacy, and sometimes have good prices on meds.  

Also, since you work in heath care, you may be able to get a referral for a decent clinc that caters to the under insured.  Talk to the people there to see if others know any good places to go.  

Some hospitals offer assistance to those who do not make enough money.  look into finacial programs availible.  

Vision is really hard to get insurance for.  you may have to ask offices if they might be able to give you a discout or maybe work on a payment plan

Answer 6

I would like to recommend you possess as much information as you can before taking action,here is a good place for that purpose.http://insurance.online-frees.info/insur...

Answer 7

Well you will need both health insurance and a separate one for vision care. Have you checked with your university if they have health insurance. I obtained health insurance through my school in Wisconsin. It is pretty affordable, not the best coverage out there but it does help! I would look into that for your best option.

As for the vision, it may be cheaper to pay out of pocket if all you need is an exam and glasses