Four years. It may not seem like a long time, but it’s long enough – long enough to get cavities, need glasses and develop a prescription-dependent medical illness. Health and dental insurance are important to have during your university years.
One may adopt poor eating habits living in residence. Many students don’t know how to cook or find it difficult to make time to cook with their studies. They may resort to junk or fast food, which contribute to obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and many other diseases. Another downside to poor eating habits is they can cause cavities.
Medical expenses can be costly. It’s even more difficult when you are away from home, as your parents may expect you to pay your own bills. Students tend to have many other expenses to pay that make medical expenses an added cost, such as tuition and book costs. Tuition typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 per year and books can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 per year. Students living on their own tend to have to pay rent as well as utility costs and grocery bills. During school, there is little time to work, so students are usually on a tight budget.
During my five-year university stay, I experienced a chipped tooth and cavities. If I didn’t have dental insurance, it would have cost me $110 to fill the chipped tooth, and $300 for the cavities.
There are many reasons you could be visiting the doctor or dentist this semester. However, you don’t have to pay steep prices. Many universities provide health and dental plans at discounted prices for students. Sacrificing a minimal premium could make the difference between an inexpensive and healthy year, and a very pricey or unhealthy one. Make it a priority to look into your school’s medical and dental insurance at the beginning of the year, and your wallet will thank you.