Table of Contents
Expert reviewed by:
Best Marketplace
GoldenCare Get a Free Quote
Best for Customer Satisfaction
Nationwide Get a Free Quote
Best for Discounts
Company Name Get a Free Quote
Best for Financial Stability
Company Name Get a Free Quote
Runner-up for Financial Stability
Company Name Get a Free Quote
Company Highlight
Find and compare quotes from top insurers
Major insurer with top marks for customer service
15% discount available for couples who purchase the same policy
Rated A++ by credit rating agency AM Best
Eligible to have premiums waived once you meet requirements for care, even if you are not yet receiving benefits
Pool of Money/Benefit Period
Varies by company
LTC Rider: 25, 33.3, or 50 months. CareMatters: 2–7 years
2-5 years • Pool of Money: $50,000-500,000
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 years
3 or 6 years
Maximum Daily/Monthly Benefit
Varies by company
Varies
$1,500-10,000 per month
$50-685 per day
$1,500-12,000 per month in $100 increments
Elimination Period
Varies by company
90 calendar days
0, 30, 60 90, 180 or 365 calendar days
0 and 180 days for in-home care and between 90 and 180 for facility
6, 12, 25 or 52 weeks
Health insurance might not seem like a priority if you’re a college student. Maybe you’re accustomed to having coverage through your parents’ policy, or you don’t think you’ll need it because you’re in good health. But it’s important to remember that healthcare is expensive in the United States, and an accident or injury could leave you deeply in debt.
For instance, if you’re uninsured, the average cost of just one doctor’s appointment is around $160. An ER visit can cost upwards of $1,389, and a three-day hospital stay an astonishing $30,000.
We analyzed various health options and companies to help you find the most suitable health insurance plan for your needs. We looked at factors including cost, coverage options, provider network, and industry rankings. Here are our top choices for the best health insurance for college students.
Our Top Picks for the Best Long-Term Care Insurance Companies
- Nationwide: Best for Customer Satisfaction
- Mutual of Omaha: Best for Discounts
- Golden Care Insurance: Best Marketplace
- New York Life: Best for Financial Stability
- Northwestern Mutual: Runner-up for Financial Stability
Long-Term Care Insurance allows you to know that you and your loved ones are financially protected as you age.
Regular health insurance, disability insurance, and Medicare are not designed to cover long-term care costs. Get Long-Term Care Insurance today – select your state to get a free quote.
Best Long-Term Care Insurance Reviews
Blue Cross Blue Shield
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Rating: 4.9/5.0
For students looking for expansive countrywide and international coverage, range of coverage options, and low-cost premiums, Blue Cross Blue Shield was an easy pick for our best overall category.
What we like
- Teams with various states and schools to offer plans for students
- Expansive network providers
- Available in all 50 states and internationally
- Range of extra benefits
- Exclusive discounts
- Comprehensive coverage options
What we don't like
- Some plans don’t include prescription drug coverage
- Finding information on the many BCBS websites can be difficult
About 115 million people countrywide rely on The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) for healthcare coverage. Thanks to its student-specific plans, low-cost insurance options, range of benefits, and reward system, BCBSA was an obvious choice for our best overall pick.
The BCBSA comprises 35 independent entities, most of which have an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent). You’ll be directed to your local provider when you input your ZIP code to the BCBSA website. Depending on your location, you can choose from tiers of coverage from catastrophic through to fully comprehensive platinum. You can also customize plans with dental and vision insurance.
Catastrophic coverage has lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum. The coverage doesn’t max out. People of any age can join the bronze through platinum plans, but you must be under 30 to enroll in a catastrophic policy.
For these Marketplace plans, you’ll need to wait for an enrollment period to join, and coverage will begin on January 1st. Short-term plans are available to fill any gaps in coverage.
People cannot be excluded for health conditions, but exclusions include cosmetic and experimental procedures and long-term care. Because BCBSA teams with colleges nationwide, students may find cheaper coverage options through their school. Students with low incomes may also qualify for government subsidies to lower their insurance costs.
Students can enjoy additional benefits from BCBSA, including dental, pet insurance, fitness products, and meal subscription discounts.
States Available
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Canal Zone
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other long-term care insurance companies we considered
While these companies didn’t make our list of top insurers, they offer coverage and features some consumers might find attractive.
Brighthouse Financial
- Teams with various states and schools to offer plans for students
- Expansive network providers
- Available in all 50 states and internationally
- Some plans don’t include prescription drug coverage
- Finding information on the many BCBS websites can be difficult
Brighthouse Financial is an insurance company that specializes in annuities and life insurance policies. Unfortunately, its below-average customer satisfaction score, relatively low AM Best rating and high NAIC complaint ratio disqualified it from our main list.
Other long-term care insurance companies we considered
While these companies didn’t make our list of top insurers, they offer coverage and features some consumers might find attractive.
Brighthouse Financial
- Teams with various states and schools to offer plans for students
- Expansive network providers
- Available in all 50 states and internationally
- Some plans don’t include prescription drug coverage
- Finding information on the many BCBS websites can be difficult
Brighthouse Financial is an insurance company that specializes in annuities and life insurance policies. Unfortunately, its below-average customer satisfaction score, relatively low AM Best rating and high NAIC complaint ratio disqualified it from our main list.
Other long-term care insurance companies we considered
While these companies didn’t make our list of top insurers, they offer coverage and features some consumers might find attractive.
Brighthouse Financial
- Teams with various states and schools to offer plans for students
- Expansive network providers
- Available in all 50 states and internationally
- Some plans don’t include prescription drug coverage
- Finding information on the many BCBS websites can be difficult
Brighthouse Financial is an insurance company that specializes in annuities and life insurance policies. Unfortunately, its below-average customer satisfaction score, relatively low AM Best rating and high NAIC complaint ratio disqualified it from our main list.
Disability Insurance FAQs
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Authors
— Published February 9, 2023
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