Information for Students / Recent Graduates

If you are about to graduate, or have recently graduated, it’s time to think about your options for health insurance. Students who are covered through a parent’s insurance policy or through a student health policy from the school are likely facing termination of that coverage at the time of graduation.

Health insurance is very important. It protects you and your family from potentially catastrophic financial loss from a major illness – one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy. Health insurance can also cover you for preventive care to detect illnesses before they become serious. Even if you are healthy, you need health insurance. If you wait until you are sick and then try to obtain insurance, the insurance company may not pay for your care relating to a "pre-existing condition."

What if I have coverage through my parents’ health insurance?

Most health insurance policies will terminate coverage for you when you reach a certain age (such as 21 or 25) or when you are no longer a full-time student. Make sure you find out when your coverage will end. Your parents’ health insurance policy should provide this information.

What if I have coverage through the school?

Student health coverage that you purchase from your school generally ends when you graduate. You will need to find other coverage.

What are my options for health insurance?

• COBRA / continuation coverage

When you lose eligibility for health insurance, you may have the option to elect COBRA or continuation coverage. That allows you to keep your health insurance coverage for a limited period of time (up to 36 months). Be aware that you will have to pay the full amount of the premium, which can seem rather expensive. If you are interested in COBRA coverage, you must enroll within 60 days of when your other coverage ends. For more information on COBRA coverage, select the following link: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/faqs/faqs_cobra.htm.

• Employer coverage

If you are employed, you might qualify for health insurance through your employer. If so, be sure to ask when the health insurance takes effect. Many employers require you to work a certain number of hours, or to have been employed for a certain number of months prior to you being considered eligible to be covered under the employer’s health insurance.

• Healthy NY

Another option for you might be Healthy NY. Healthy NY is a comprehensive health insurance package that you can purchase from any HMO in the state. While some benefits are not included in Healthy NY’s streamlined benefit package such as chiropractic care or mental health care), it will provide important medical and hospital coverage for you if you should need it. You can also enroll in Healthy NY while you are waiting for other coverage to take effect (such as through new employment).

Who can enroll in Healthy NY?

In order to enroll in Healthy NY, you have to meet the eligibility rules. They include things like NY state residency, income, employment and lack of insurance. Here are some things you should keep in mind when applying for Healthy NY:

When calculating your “household income” on the application, do not include the income of your parents or roommates, or anyone else in your household other than yourself and your spouse (if you are married).

You must be able to show you have been employed at some time in the past 12 months. Although unpaid internships will not count, you can count any part-time or full-time job you’ve had in the past 12 months. If you are married, you can even count your spouse’s employment in order to meet this requirement.

For a full description of the eligibility requirements for individuals enrolling in Healthy NY, please select the following link: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hnyeci.htm.

Are there other programs or sources of health insurance?

Yes. For information on other sources of health insurance coverage, including standardized individual policies and hospital only coverage, please go to http://www.ins.state.ny.us/health/chlthinf.htm.

Return to the Healthy NY home page