Jump to: Parents Coverage, Public Assistance, Student Health Plan, Native American Students.

Insurance can be a major expense for college students. There are many options available for health insurance, but they can be costly and confusing. This resource exists to educate students about their options and hopefully demystify the health insurance process.

Detailed MSU specific pages on: Medicaid, and Affordable Health Care Act Marketplace.

Why Students Need Health Insurance

Health insurance may not be the top priority on student’s mind, if they are young and healthy, they may think they do not need health insurance. Or that it's too expensive. Or not worth the trouble. However, it is important; a short stay in the hospital can cost more than tuition without insurance. Plus, health insurance is required to be enrolled fulltime at MSU.

Parents Coverage

Private

Under current federal law  young adults can stay on their parent’s insurance until the age of 26. This is the case for both private and public insurance. As with any health insurance, students should check local in-network providers, so they know where to access care. Students should insure they are covered in Bozeman, if a procedure like surgery is needed, travel can be a major inconvenience with classes. To check your network, visit your insurer’s website and search for hospitals, clinics, and providers who are in-network with your specific plan.

Public

Students 18 or under and who’s family are covered by Montana Medicaid may qualify for Healthy Montana Kids (HMK), or Children's Health Insurance Plan which offers free or low-cost health insurance.

Students on their parent’s plan covered through Medicaid in another state probably do not meet the MSU coverage requirement because of the limited network of most Medicaid programs when utilized out-of-state. However, students may qualify for Montana Medicaid, the Health Insurance Marketplace plans, or the MSU student plan.

Students claimed by their parents as a tax dependent, are probably part of their parent’s tax household. Students not claimed by their parents, are probably their own tax household (in addition to their spouse and any tax dependents).

Public Assistance 

For students unable to be on their parent’s plan because they are 26 or over or for other reasons, there is a health insurance marketplace calculator  that can be used to check public options for insurance. Students can skip all the resources on this page and fill out the healthcare marketplace application. After filling out this application it will instantly determine eligibility for both Medicaid and subsidies through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace on health plans providing the least expensive option that satisfies MSU health insurance requirements. Be sure to use your Bozeman area address as many of these plans are geographically limited. Students that are determined to be eligible for Montana Medicaid will automatically have their information sent to the Office of Public Assistance thereby eliminating the need to fill out an additional application.

Medicaid

Montana Medicaid is a free or low-cost insurance plan with income criteria based on tax household. The current eligibility threshold is below $20,782 which is 138% of the federal poverty level for an individual in 2024. Montana Medicaid meets the MSU health insurance requirements.

Health Insurance Marketplace

The health insurance marketplace is a good option for students above the income eligibility for Medicaid, may be eligible to enroll in a plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Most students qualify for financial help to make monthly premium more affordable, and many are eligible for reduced out-of-pocket costs. The lower an individual’s income, the greater financial benefit they may qualify to receive. The health insurance marketplace calculator is a handy tool to help determine eligibility. The health insurance marketplace uses an estimated projection of the student’s household income for the next year to determine eligibility. Students claimed by their parents as a tax dependent, are probably part of their parent’s tax household, and the student’s income will be included in the student’s eligibility. Students not claimed by their parents as a dependent, are probably in their own tax household (in addition to any spouse and tax dependents) and only the student’s income will be included in their eligibility determination.

Student Health Plan 

Students taking more than six credits are eligible for the MSU student health insurance plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. This is a comprehensive private health insurance sold through the university. This plan is customized to students but there is no subsidy, students pay the free market rate of $2,310 (2024) per a semester that is added to their tuition bill. This plan is opt out, when registering for classes students are asked if they have insurance, if students say they do not have insurance they are signed up for this plan. Students have until the 15th day of classes to waive or cancel the student health plan for the semester. The student health plan does not allow non-student dependents, such as a student’s child on the plan.

Native American Students

Native American students who are eligible for Indian Health Services, Tribal Health, or Urban Indian Health programs are considered covered, but may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Marketplace in addition to their access to IHS, Tribal Health, or an Urban Indian Health Program.