Best Health Insurance for College Students for 2023

While not available in all states, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers catastrophic plans with low premiums in some areas. In some states, like Maryland and California, a catastrophic plan from Blue Cross is the cheapest coverage available. Catastrophic plans are ideal for college students who don’t typically need to see a doctor and are just looking for coverage in case of an emergency. Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are also generally well-rated, with a 3-star healthcare.gov rating (or higher in some states) and a 3.7-star average NCQA rating. The company also has an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates an excellent capacity to cover claims. 

Since BCBS is a group of companies, benefits and plan types vary by region. J.D. Power rankings vary by region as well. For example, the company is the top-ranked provider in many Midwestern states but is ranked last in California. Depending on where you live, you might have access to different benefits as well. But most members will have access to a 24/7 nurse line. Many BCBS members can also receive wellness discounts through the Blue365 discount program. Blue Cross Blue Shield is our #1 pick for Best Health Insurance Companies overall.

Oscar's app syncs with Apple Health and Google Health, allowing you to earn up to $75 in Amazon gift cards each year for walking. The company also offers catastrophic plans in some states, and generally offers low premiums for bronze and silver plans, though costs vary by state. For example, Oscar offers the cheapest bronze plans in Florida. 

Members also get some nice benefits, including $0 virtual care with most plans and a dedicated care team. And the company offers every medical management program available in most states, making it a great option for enhanced coverage if you have specific health issues. 

But Oscar’s plans only get 2 stars at healthcare.gov. And the company only offers plans in 21 states. Still, if Oscar offers plans in your area, the company is worth considering for the convenience of the Oscar platform along with affordable pricing in some states. Oscar was also one of our top picks for the Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies.

Kaiser Permanente's plans are rated 5 stars on healthcare.gov, and the average NCQA rating for member experience across plans is 4.3 stars. Plus, Kaiser is the top-ranked company for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in every state where the company offers plans. No other insurance provider is held in such high regard. The company also offers a variety of medical management programs that provide enhanced coverage for certain conditions. 

Kaiser Permanente’s pricing varies by state. However, catastrophic health insurance plans from Kaiser are available in several states at affordable premiums. You may be able to get a cheaper catastrophic plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield, but Kaiser’s customer satisfaction ratings can’t be beat. If Kaiser’s plans are available at an affordable premium in your state, we highly recommend choosing the provider. But since the company only offers coverage in eight states and the District of Columbia, it won’t be an option for everyone.

With Aetna’s plans, you get access to MinuteClinic locations nationwide in select CVS and Target stores. You can walk in or make an appointment online for a variety of services, with access to evening and weekend hours, and you can even get your prescription filled on-site if it’s medically appropriate. Most visits will be free with most plans. You can also schedule free virtual care at any time. Together, these benefits can help you save money on urgent care or emergency care. 

Aetna is also generally well-rated, with a 3.4-star average rating from the NCQA and an A (Excellent) financial strength grade from AM Best. And though pricing varies by state, we found Aetna’s plans to be generally affordable, especially for bronze and silver plans—for example, the company offers some of the cheapest bronze plans in Texas. However, Aetna’s customer satisfaction ranking in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study varies by region. In some states, like Texas and Florida, the company is ranked above average, while it fares worse in some other areas.