Each year a whole new cohort of students and their families have to decide what health care program to enroll in. There are on-going changes taking place in terms of what is available to students, so look around. And remember, as with many decisions in life, the best option for you depends on your situation and needs.

Some new developments, however, appear to be beneficial for students. This year, young people up to the age of 26 can remain on their family's health plan. This is possible even if it is an employer sponsored health plan, although there may be slight variations in terms of when it is possible for a student to enroll. Some employers require students and young adults to wait until 2011. However, it is interesting to see this provision being offered to benefit young people.

Another approach to health insurance specifically for students is to enroll in the university sponsored health plan. Before you do this, consider the restrictions that are to be expected with this type of plan. These are to do with what health care providers will be covered. You may find that you are restricted to on-campus health care. While it may be affordable, it may not cover your needs.

There are also student health plans available that are not affiliated with a particular college or university. These tend to be more flexible but may also be more expensive than the school sponsored plans. Both the individual and school sponsored approaches to health insurance are likely to undergo further changes due to the reforms taking place in health care at present. Stay abreast of developments.

If you have a pre-existing condition, you need to proceed carefully when opting for a health plan. Individual heath insurance coverage appears to offer the most options, but it is possible to be declined due to a pre-existing condition, though this changes in 2014. Find out what protocol the health insurer uses to define a pre-existing condition and how this is likely to impact you. There is no use signing up to a health plan if a potentially expensive pre-existing condition will not be covered. Not all health insurers take this stand, so check it out thoroughly.

If you find you are locked out due to a pre-existing condition, the majority of states offer high-risk pools or Medicaid, either of which you may qualify for. It is important to check if these are available to you.

There is a lot to consider and this is an extra burden for you at a time when there are a lot of decisions to be made. Although staying on your parents' health plan seems to be a good option, it could end up being a costly decision for your parents if it is work related and the employer contributes little for your insurance. For this reason, it is important to go over the options with family before you commit yourself to a particular health plan. You want the best you can get at an affordable rate, so look carefully.