New Student Indoctrination Question Regarding Health Care Insurance

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mrsmc0512

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Jan 29, 2021
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Hello, Everyone! Quick question, please. Our son will be attending NSI this summer, as an NROTC Navy Scholarship recipient. His current medical coverage stops on May 31st, as he turns 18 in May. Does the Navy require Candidate Midshipmen to have active health insurance while they are attending NSI?

For context: We plan to add our son to my husband’s insurance plan but can only do so during open enrollment in November.

We’ve checked with the current insurance company and they will not issue a Loss of Coverage letter, in order for him to be added to my husband’s insurance before NSI takes place.

So, if he needs medical care, we’d pay for it out of pocket.

Many thanks for any knowledge you can provide!
 
mrsmc0512 said:
Hello, Everyone! Quick question, please. Our son will be attending NSI this summer, as an NROTC Navy Scholarship recipient. His current medical coverage stops on May 31st, as he turns 18 in May. Does the Navy require Candidate Midshipmen to have active health insurance while they are attending NSI?

For context: We plan to add our son to my husband’s insurance plan but can only do so during open enrollment in November.

We’ve checked with the current insurance company and they will not issue a Loss of Coverage letter, in order for him to be added to my husband’s insurance before NSI takes place.

So, if he needs medical care, we’d pay for it out of pocket.

Many thanks for any knowledge you can provide!
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I’m admittedly part curious but also concerned. Will your son at least have high deductible, catastrophic level coverage after May 31? A lot can happen unexpectedly that can quickly go beyond what I’d want to pay out of pocket.

Based on some experience, I think most universities require medical coverage. No idea about NSI.

If he’s healthy (presumably so), he should be able to pick up a high deductible plan that’s fairly affordable.
 
i believe my DS had to bring insurance card with him to NSI showing that they were covered while there. but he went to the infirmary once while at NSI and his meds were paid for by the on site clinic. there were a couple of MIDS at NSI 2019 that went to the hospital off site for various reasons so health insurance is probably a must.
 
dadinnc said:
I’m admittedly part curious but also concerned. Will your son at least have high deductible, catastrophic level coverage after May 31? A lot can happen unexpectedly that can quickly go beyond what I’d want to pay out of pocket.

Based on some experience, I think most universities require medical coverage. No idea about NSI.

If he’s healthy (presumably so), he should be able to pick up a high deductible plan that’s fairly affordable.
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Many thanks, dadinnc!
 
mcfamilyof4 said:
i believe my DS had to bring insurance card with him to NSI showing that they were covered while there. but he went to the infirmary once while at NSI and his meds were paid for by the on site clinic. there were a couple of MIDS at NSI 2019 that went to the hospital off site for various reasons so health insurance is probably a must.
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Thanks very much, mcfamilyof4.
 
Agree with comments above. fyi, your plan to wait until November needs attention - that likely won't work for the reasons below.

1. You'll need insurance (and a record of all immunizations) when your son starts school - the university he attends will likely offer a plan that he'll "have" to take if you don't have another option lined up.
2. Sooner though, agree you'll need proof of insurance when you go to NSI. People did get injured in the last NSI cycle - dehydration, a serious back injury, lots of flu-like symptoms, twisted ankles, staph / other infections, inflammation of old injuries, knee injuries, etc.

If funding insurance is an issue then investigate medicaid/ state programs which may cover him for little to no cost, or the high deductible plans mentioned above. Some states also cover dependent children in reduced cost plans. Also discuss this with his school - maybe you can get on their plan earlier since you'll be doing school activities this summer with NSI.

A lot of times we encourage the son/ daughter to drive these conversations independently but in this case I recommend you engage and work with your son to sort this out.

Lastly, I would confirm his coverage stops at 18 - where did you get that information? In most cases dependent adults can stay on their parents plan thanks to the affordable care act changes - specifically: "Generally speaking, you can include any child who fits the following criteria: Age: Your child has to be under the age of 26. Relationship to You: For a child to qualify as your dependent, he or she needs to be your biological child, your stepchild, your adopted child, or a foster child you are taking care of."

Good luck.
 
Plus all to @Herman_Snerd.

If further info is required for you..I would highly recommend checking, in writing, with Great Lakes directly.

Great ideas above about checking with school attending. Or checking with some sort of individual plan, if needed. But there is no reason anyone should not have insurance with the ACA. In fact, I believe it’s a law that you DO have insurance? At least we do something with that for taxes 🤔

No way would I not have insurance. The risk is too great. Even if only a catastrophic plan. And this is too important to not know for CERTAIN the requirements for NSI. By checking with them. VS us 😬
 
Check with the university he will be attending. Maybe you can get him the university insurance for the summer?
 
Herman_Snerd said:
Agree with comments above. fyi, your plan to wait until November needs attention - that likely won't work for the reasons below.

1. You'll need insurance (and a record of all immunizations) when your son starts school - the university he attends will likely offer a plan that he'll "have" to take if you don't have another option lined up.
2. Sooner though, agree you'll need proof of insurance when you go to NSI. People did get injured in the last NSI cycle - dehydration, a serious back injury, lots of flu-like symptoms, twisted ankles, staph / other infections, inflammation of old injuries, knee injuries, etc.

If funding insurance is an issue then investigate medicaid/ state programs which may cover him for little to no cost, or the high deductible plans mentioned above. Some states also cover dependent children in reduced cost plans. Also discuss this with his school - maybe you can get on their plan earlier since you'll be doing school activities this summer with NSI.

A lot of times we encourage the son/ daughter to drive these conversations independently but in this case I recommend you engage and work with your son to sort this out.

Lastly, I would confirm his coverage stops at 18 - where did you get that information? In most cases dependent adults can stay on their parents plan thanks to the affordable care act changes - specifically: "Generally speaking, you can include any child who fits the following criteria: Age: Your child has to be under the age of 26. Relationship to You: For a child to qualify as your dependent, he or she needs to be your biological child, your stepchild, your adopted child, or a foster child you are taking care of."

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Many thanks, Herman_Snerd!
 
justdoit19 said:
Plus all to @Herman_Snerd.

If further info is required for you..I would highly recommend checking, in writing, with Great Lakes directly.

Great ideas above about checking with school attending. Or checking with some sort of individual plan, if needed. But there is no reason anyone should not have insurance with the ACA. In fact, I believe it’s a law that you DO have insurance? At least we do something with that for taxes 🤔

No way would I not have insurance. The risk is too great. Even if only a catastrophic plan. And this is too important to not know for CERTAIN the requirements for NSI. By checking with them. VS us 😬
Click to expand...
Thanks, justdoit19!
 
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