Weird question but I've been curious, with regards to health insurance, which provider insures the majority of college students? Is it through university-provided insurance or do most students remain on their parents' plans?
The majority of college students typically remain on their parents' health insurance plans, as the Affordable Care Act allows young adults to stay on their parents' plans until the age of 26. However, if this option is not viable, many universities provide their own health insurance plans for students.
A 2018 survey suggested that around 67% of college students remained on their parents' health insurance plans, while 20% were enrolled in a university-sponsored plan. It's also worth noting that some students might use Medicaid or individual market coverage.
The specific health insurance provider would vary greatly as this usually depend on the parents' occupations, locations, or individual preferences if the students are on their parents' insurance plan. As for university-provided health insurance, the provider will differ from school to school.
Always remember that insurance needs to be carefully evaluated for what works best for the individual. Some factors to consider are the cost, coverage (including if it covers out-of-state or overseas services for those studying abroad), whether your current doctors/mental health professionals are included in the provider's network, and whether the health care needs of the student are sufficiently covered.
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