Health insurance options for college students

Students have more health coverage options than they think: a parent's plan until 26, free or low-cost Medicaid in many states, or a Marketplace plan with savings, even if the school offers its own student plan.

Checked against official sources October 11, 2026. Some details were still changing when we checked, so confirm on the official page.

Who qualifies

Parent's plan: if a parent's plan covers dependents, you can usually be added and stay on it until you turn 26; on a parent's job-based plan this holds even if you marry, have a child, start or leave school, live away from home, or aren't claimed as a tax dependent.
On a parent's Marketplace plan, you can stay covered through December 31 of the year you turn 26 (or the age your state allows).
Medicaid: in states that expanded Medicaid, adults qualify on income alone if household income is below 133% of the federal poverty level (effectively 138%; a few states use a different limit). In every state, Medicaid can also cover people based on pregnancy, disability, caring for children and other factors.
In states that did not expand Medicaid, adults with income below 100% of the poverty level who don't qualify another way may fall into a gap with neither Medicaid nor Marketplace savings.
Former foster youth: every state must offer Medicaid until age 26 to young people who were in foster care with Medicaid on their 18th birthday (or who aged out with Medicaid at 18 or older).
Marketplace: you can apply for a Marketplace plan even if your school offers a student health plan; savings depend on income, family size and location. If someone claims you as a tax dependent, their income counts toward your savings; if no one claims you, your own income counts.
Immigration: due to a law change, only Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders), Cuban or Haitian entrants and Compact of Free Association migrants are now eligible for full Medicaid (some states also cover lawfully residing children and pregnant women).

What you get

Medicaid: free or low-cost comprehensive coverage; it may also help pay medical bills from the last 3 months before you enrolled.
Marketplace: private plans with a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly payment for eligible people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
If you qualify for neither, community health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income, and you may qualify for a Catastrophic plan.

How to apply

If you are on a parent's plan and live in another state for school, check the plan's provider network there before deciding to stay on it.
Apply for Medicaid any time of year, through a HealthCare.gov application (which sends your information to your state if you look eligible) or directly with your state Medicaid agency.
Enroll in a Marketplace plan during Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period, for example after losing student coverage or moving for school.
On the Marketplace application, answer 'No' when asked if you have health coverage if you plan to drop your student plan when the new plan starts.

Common mistakes

Dropping your student health plan on purpose does not give you a Special Enrollment Period; losing it does.
Applying on your own does not leave your parents out: if they will claim you as a tax dependent, you must include their information and income.
Not applying because you think your income is too high or your state didn't expand Medicaid: HealthCare.gov says to apply anyway, since states have other coverage routes.
New Medicaid work requirement: in states where it applies (federally starting no later than January 1, 2027; some states started earlier), many adults 19-64 must log 80 hours a month of work, volunteering, job training or school. CMS says being enrolled at least half-time as your school defines it likely meets the requirement, and less-than-half-time school hours count toward the 80.
If you qualify for Medicaid, you can't get savings on a Marketplace plan.

Official pages

Your state's version

Program names, extra state rules and where to apply.

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