For most families, keeping college students on the family health plan is the default option. However, this Spring may be the time to reevaluate that decision. Here’s why:
- Increased employer plan premiums: Continually rising employer healthcare costs are expected to mean more out of employees’ pockets in 2026. Employer insurance plans increased 8.5% in 2025 and are expected to grow again at the same rate in 2026, with pharmacy costs rising an additional 2.5% as well.
- ACA subsidies ending: ACA subsidies expired at the end of 2025 with no extension or resolution from Congress. ACA premiums could increase by as much as 75% for as many as 92% of ACA beneficiaries starting in January 2026.
If you have an employer health plan, you have likely already received notices estimating higher premiums or increased cost-sharing for 2026. While campus-sponsored student plans are ACA-compliant, they’re not purchased on the ACA exchange and aren’t directly tied to federal subsidy structures. Instead, institutions sponsor student plans for their specific student population.
For parents and students, this means that coverage that once felt manageable may come with higher monthly costs, higher deductibles, or more out-of-pocket exposure — all while you’re paying college tuition.
For college administrators, this means more families may reconsider past coverage decisions for the first time this spring.
To save money this year and still ensure students get robust healthcare benefits, the spring semester might be the time to take a closer look at your on-campus Student Insurance student health plan.
4 ways a campus student health plan can improve your finances and your health
1. Lower out-of-pocket costs and deductibles
Student insurance is meant to keep college students –– including international students –– healthy, even on a tight budget. This means out-of-pocket costs and deductibles are $500 or less, which can be significantly lower than most family plans –– especially as deductibles in other plans increase in 2026.
2. Convenient, quality coverage
Rather than searching for providers in their new town who accept their family health insurance, campus insurance is a PPO with comprehensive medical coverage built around on-campus resources, including the student health clinic and behavioral health counseling center. If your student is currently on the ACA exchange, switching to a student health insurance plan will be at least as good, and possibly better, than what most students currently have.
3. Mental health support designed for students
Over a third of college students (37%) reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms in the 2024-2025 Healthy Minds Study, but getting support when you’re away from home can be difficult. Campus insurance benefits make it easier to find mental and behavioral health care from providers who tailor services to college students' needs.
For example, organizations like OPYN, included in Venbrook’s Student Insurance program coverage, provide participants with 24/7 access to psychology and counseling services. Clinicians manage virtual therapy, so a licensed provider is always available when a student needs an appointment.
In addition, Venbrook’s Student Insurance includes a student peer support program in which students train to offer peer guidance to fellow students.
4. Coverage for study abroad
Student Insurance travels with college kids, wherever they go in the United States and abroad. This saves you from paying unnecessary money for extra travel insurance.
Why students may be eligible for enrollment mid-year
Many institutions offer open enrollment in the Spring semester. Special enrollment opportunities also follow qualifying life events, such as a student who’s dropped from a parent’s employer-sponsored plan.
Enrollment rules vary by institution, and families should confirm specifics directly with their school.
For administrators, it’s important to provide clear communication around enrollment windows, eligibility rules, and required documentation to help families navigate coverage decisions.
Venbrook is the Student Insurance partner you can count on
As 2026 and the new semester take off, consider taking time to compare the costs of keeping a college student on the existing plan or switching to campus insurance. A little planning now can make a big difference if your health insurance rates are expected to rise. You may even find campus insurance offers students better benefits, especially if they confront an unexpected illness or injury on campus this year.
Choosing the right health insurance plan this semester ensures students are covered at school, at home, or even abroad. With convenient, affordable coverage, college students can focus on making this college semester the best one yet.
