GAO Examines Health Insurance Status of College Students

"Most College Students Are Covered Through Employer-Sponsored Plans, and Some Colleges and States Are Taking Steps To Increase Coverage," Government Accountability Office: The GAO report found that 80% of college students ages 18 through 23 had health insurance in 2006, with 67% covered under employer-sponsored plans; 7% covered through other private plans, such as student insurance plans; and 6% covered by public programs such as Medicaid. The report also found that most insured students were covered as a dependent. In terms of uninsured students, however, part-time students, nonwhite students and students from families with lower incomes were more likely to be uninsured. According to the report, colleges and states have taken a variety of steps to increase the number of insured college students, including mandates and expanded eligibility (GAO, March 2008).