Some colleges now require students to have health insurance before attending classes – surprising cash-strapped students of new expenses.

Students may not have considered or included the cost of health insurance in their budget for college so it’s important for them to take advantage of available resources.

As students go back to school they should consider their health insurance options and take the following steps:

1. Find out if your college requires students to have health insurance coverage before starting classes.

2. Check to see if you are covered on your parents’ health plan. Students can now stay on their parents’ plan until they turn 26 stemming from a benefit of health care reform.

3. If you aren’t eligible for a parents’ plan, then compare the college health plan to an individual policy. The two plans offer different benefits and levels of coverage so it is important to review both.

4. Talk to a health insurance agent about the best and most affordable option. Agents can help students dispel any confusion and answer questions.

5. Not using the college plan? Waive it and show the college proof of coverage. Some universities now automatically enroll students in health insurance plans and will charge them for it unless instructed otherwise.

Without taking these steps, students may be unaware if they are paying for more than one health insurance policy or that they may have access to coverage they didn’t know about.

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