UPDATE: It is now possible to keep dependents requiring Arizona student health insurance on the parent’s policy up to the age of 30 on individual and family plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and 26 years of age on Arizona group health insurance policies.

Welcome to Michael Higgins Insurance. We are an independent medical insurance agency that specializes in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona student health insurance plans for, individuals, families and small and large businesses. In addition to Arizona student health insurance we also offer Arizona dental insurance plans by TDAHP-Total Dental Administrator Health Plan, Inc., and BCBSAZ, Arizona short term health insurance, and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Arizona Medicare supplement benefit plans.

Why Arizona Student Health Insurance?
There are many reasons why you may be looking for Arizona student health insurance. The student is not covered with an Arizona student health insurance plan through an employer, parent, or the school they will be attending. The student is covered on their parents’ plan in another state, but will be outside the HMO or PPO region of the parents’ health plan and you have concerns about their out-of-network deductibles. Some Arizona student health plans are very costly and not suited to your needs. The college’s Arizona student health insurance seems expensive, or the benefits are lacking.

Arizona Student Health Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona student health insurance plans are the same individual plans offered to everyone within the age of 18 through 64. When a parent or student requests help in finding reasonable Arizona student health insurance, Michael Higgins Insurance proposes they look at the various individual plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. These plans will be suitable as an alternative to the Arizona student health insurance offered by the college.

For students whose parent(s) currently have an individual or family Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona plan, you are covered, as are any other family dependents up to the age of 30 as long as the policy remains in effect, and of course if the dependent has been added to the policy at the parent’s request. The child does not need to be a full-time student to remain on the Arizona student health insurance policy up to the age of 30.

Arizona Student Health Insurance: Pros and Cons
There are a number of colleges in Arizona. However, the three main universities have a large student population of not only in-state students but also many out-of-state students, and the need for Arizona student health insurance is great. It is instructive to compare the benefits and prices between Arizona student health insurance policies offered by the Arizona universities and individual plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. At Michael Higgins Insurance, we have found parents and students are usually surprised by the differences between all Arizona student health insurance policies offered in the marketplace.

Arizona Student Health Insurance

Cost is the number one difference between Arizona student health insurance plans. Recently, the Arizona student health insurance through the Universities in Arizona cost around $1500 for two semesters and $2000 if also attending summer school. An individual plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona can be half the universitie’s Arizona student health insurance plans, depending on the deductible chosen. Most Arizona student health insurance plans offered through the school offer limited benefits such as a $300,000 lifetime maximum, compared to no lifetime maximum with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. Students may keep their Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona policy up to the age of 65. Arizona student health insurance at the local universities is only for the duration of the student’s schooling. The co-pays to see a physician, the co-pays for medications, and the vision benefits are about the same for the universitie’s Arizona student health insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s individual plans. Annual physicals and gynecological exams are covered with no deductible for both Arizona student health insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s individual plans.

However, because Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is the largest locally owned insurer in Arizona, as well as a non-profit organization, no other Arizona student health insurance company compares when it comes to the negotiated rates between the insurer and their contracted providers. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona members benefit, and your student is likely to ultimately pay less out-of-pocket with a BCBSAZ policy than they would with an Arizona student health insurance plan. Likewise, with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s huge network of doctors and specialists, your student will have many qualified doctors to choose from in the Arizona student health insurance plan’s network.

Arizona Student Health Insurance

Arizona student health insurance at the local universities offer maternity benefits. The individual plans of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona will only cover maternity complications. There is also a dental component to the Arizona student health insurance plan at the universities in Arizona. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona does not have a dental plan as part of their individual Arizona student health insurance plans.
At Michael Higgins Insurance, we would suggest considering a TDAHP-Total Dental Administrator Health Plan, Inc. These dental plans have better benefits and can be purchased separately for less than $20.00 a month in addition to the Arizona student health insurance premium.

Potential Risk of Having No Arizona Student Health Insurance
The high cost of health care in the US presents a serious health risk, and financial risk to those students seeking Arizona student health insurance. Inadequate insurance coverage can result in temporary or permanent interruption of a student’s education. The rising number of students without student health insurance coverage further compounds the challenge of keeping health care affordable. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona student health insurance plans are tackling the problem by developing innovative programs to reduce the number of uninsured students.

If you have any questions regarding Arizona student health insurance, please feel free to contact Michael Higgins at 602.405.8769, or e-mail: info@higginscompanies.com.