According to www.healthreform.gov, approximately 30 percent of young adults are uninsured. This catastrophic number is expected to fall when The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is enforced. The new health care bill President Obama signed into law this past March, effective in the next six months, will benefit college-aged young adults in many ways.

The most significant change The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will make concerning college aged students is the ability to stay on a parents’ health insurance plan – if considered a dependent – until age 26. According to USA Today a young adult under 26 may stay on their parents’ plan regardless of whether they are married, employed, a student or graduate, or live separate from his or her parents. This is a large and greatly beneficial change as previously insurance companies only allowed young adults to be included on a parents’ health insurance policy up to a certain age, usually between 19 and 24 years.

Another gigantic change to the health insurance field is the ability to deny coverage on the grounds of a pre-existing condition has been removed and deemed illegal by the new legislation. This opens a large door for anyone who has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, from cancer to asthma, and denied health insurance for this reason. By the year 2014 insurance carriers will no longer be able to deny adults coverage for a pre-existing condition and even sooner for children. Additional changes to the health insurance realm will include free preventive care such as diet, exercise, and nutrition counseling as well as immunizations and special screenings. These free services will greatly benefit students, especially the immunizations that will help protect students as they move from classroom to classroom, interacting with hundreds of fellow students a day.

The government recognizes many families do not have health insurance because they can not afford it and will be subsidizing insurance plans to those who earn less than the Federal Poverty Line. The cut off is currently 133 to 400 percent of annual income an individual earns, or about $14,000 to $43,000.

For a free health insurance quote comparison contact a friendly GradGuard representative today!

Filed under: Connect With Us, DO UR HMWK by Cassie Social tagging: GradGuard > health care bill > health insurance > healthreform > pre-existing condition > President Obama > saving money on health insurance > student health insurance > The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act > USA Today
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Can you still hear your parent’s stern voice?

“Now, call me when you get there. I want to make sure you arrive safely.”

Whether you’re traveling cross country or down the block, this phone call  always seems to save your parents a few worry lines. Now that you are traveling abroad a phone call may still calm their nerves, but they will not be able to help you much should an emergency arise. The many horror stories USA Today has told of students traveling abroad is concerning. However there are preventative steps you may take to ensure your safety abroad. 

If you are traveling abroad, seriously consider the following before leaving the country:

1. Inform close friends and relatives of your travel plans and give them all the details. Provide your living arrangements, numbers you may be reached at (a cell phone is not enough), departure/ arrival dates and times, etc.

2. Discuss your travel plans with a physician. Within your doctor’s visit be sure you are medically prepared and have at least the following:

        -an up to date physical

        -immunizations required for your destination and any layovers you may have

        -sufficient prescriptions for the entirety of your trip

3. Research the area you are visiting. Chances are there is a part of town you should avoid, restaurants you should not even walk into, or water you should not drink. Knowing what to expect when you arrive will ease your traveling stress.

4. Not only should you dress for the weather, but dress for your destination. Dress conservatively, do not wear expensive jewelry or those designer jeans. You will look like less of a tourist, making your trip not only safer but more enjoyable.

5. Look into travelers insurance. As many insurance policies do not apply to overseas trips. Travelers insurance protects you should a medical emergency occur and your belongings should they be stolen or lost.

6. Make sure your passport and other travel documents are in order. The U.S. Homeland Security recently revised passport regulations requiring additional checks and new procedures. Be sure to check your passport will be accepted when you leave and re-enter the country.

7. Do not leave before you are certain you can afford the trip. Make sure you have a cushion in your bank account, accidents and hidden expenses are more common than you may think. Check that you will be able to access your bank account at your destination as well.

If you are a student traveling abroad enjoy yourself but please, prepare yourself accordingly.

The world is yours to conquer, don’t let it conquer you.

Filed under: DO UR HMWK by Cassie Social tagging: overseas travel > safe travel abroad > student travel > studying abroad > travelers insurance > traveling abraod > USA Today
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