As summer unfolds and high school graduation becomes a freshly minted memory, families across the country are shifting their focus to college prep. From dorm checklists to course registration, there’s a lot to organize. One important step that often gets missed is preparing for your child’s healthcare needs and legal rights as they enter adulthood.

It might not be on your radar yet, but once your child turns 18 or begins college, you no longer have automatic access to their health information. Even if they’re still on your insurance plan and financially dependent on you, federal laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) may limit your ability to access information or step in during a medical emergency unless the right forms are in place.

That shift can be surprising, especially in a moment when you want to be most helpful. The good news is, a little preparation can make all the difference.

In this article, I’ll cover what parents need to know about health insurance options for college students, how FERPA affects access to medical and academic records, and the key legal documents to have on file before your student heads to campus. It’s a practical and meaningful part of college prep that helps support both your peace of mind and your child’s independence.

Health Insurance Options for College Students

Before your child starts their college journey, it’s important to ensure they have reliable health coverage. There are several options available, each with its own benefits and considerations. Taking time now to compare them can help prevent unexpected bills later and ensure your student has access to care when they need it.

Health insurance might not be the most exciting part of college prep, but helping your child understand their options now can give both of you greater confidence and peace of mind.

Option 1: Staying on a Parent’s Plan

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), students can remain on a parent’s health insurance plan until the age of 26. This applies regardless of marital status, whether they’re enrolled in school, or where they live. It’s often the simplest choice, keeping everything consistent and avoiding new enrollment processes.

However, it’s important to check the provider network. If the student is going to school out of state, nearby services might be considered out-of-network, which can lead to higher costs. Reviewing the provider directory and plan details in advance is key. Enrollment typically happens during your employer’s Open Enrollment Period or after a qualifying event, like a loss of other coverage.

Option 2: University-Sponsored Student Health Plans

In New York, university-sponsored plans are common and can be very cost-effective. Many institutions partner with private insurers to offer comprehensive coverage tailored to student needs, including primary care, specialists, mental health services, and prescription drugs. These ACA-compliant plans often include access to free or low-cost services at on-campus health centers.

Enrollment is often automatic unless the student opts out by showing proof of other coverage. Each university has its own requirements, which is why it’s a must that you consult the school’s health services or admissions office for plan details, deadlines, and the waiver process.

Option 3: ACA Marketplace Plans

If your child isn’t on your plan or a university plan, another option is a health plan through the ACA Marketplace. These plans are purchased individually, and subsidy eligibility depends on income, household size, and whether the student is claimed as a tax dependent. If listed as a dependent, the parent’s income affects subsidy eligibility, even if the student applies independently. If your student is attending college in a different state, be sure to double-check the plan’s network to ensure local coverage

Option 4: Public Health Programs

While Medicaid isn’t typically available to dependents in higher-income households, it may be an option in some unique situations. Students with disabilities, those in blended families supported by a lower-income parent, or those who aren’t tax dependents may qualify based on their own income and state rules.

What FERPA Means for Parents of College Students

Health insurance is just one part of the transition. Once your child begins college, your access to their academic, medical, and disciplinary records shifts in ways that can be unexpected. Many parents assume they’ll be kept in the loop, only to discover that federal privacy protections may prevent schools from sharing information. 

Let’s say your daughter is halfway through her first semester when you hear from a roommate, not the school, that she’s been hospitalized after a party. You call the health center and are told they can’t share anything. Or maybe your son suddenly stops responding, and you suspect something’s wrong, but the registrar’s office won’t even confirm whether he’s attending classes.

These situations, while difficult, are not uncommon. They highlight how FERPA works and why it’s important to plan ahead.

Understanding FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. It gives students control over their personal information once they turn 18 or begin college. Even if you’re paying the tuition, providing insurance, or claiming your child on your taxes, you won’t automatically have access to their records unless they provide written consent.

FERPA covers a wide range of records maintained by the institution, including academic performance, financial aid, and in many cases, health information. Health records maintained by a college health clinic or counseling center are generally considered educational records, protected by FERPA, not HIPAA, the federal law that covers most medical records. That means if your child is hospitalized after a medical or mental health crisis, you could be left out of the loop unless your child has granted you access to those records.

Are There Any Exceptions?

There is a narrow exception to FERPA’s consent requirement that some parents may be able to use, but it’s not guaranteed. If your college student is under 21 and violates a law or campus policy related to alcohol or controlled substances, the school is permitted (but not required) to notify you.

Additionally, FERPA allows schools to disclose information from education records to a parent if the student is a financial dependent, as defined by the IRS. This means that if you claim your child on your tax return, the college may choose to share certain information with you, even without your child’s written consent. However, institutions are not obligated to do so, and many still prioritize student privacy unless a health or safety emergency arises. In practice, schools often encourage students to communicate directly with parents rather than rely on this provision.

The most effective way to stay involved is to talk to your student about completing a FERPA waiver. These forms are often available during orientation or through the registrar’s office. It’s a simple step that can make it easier to support your child when they need it most.

Essential Legal Documents to Prepare Before Move-In Day

Even if your child is doing great, having the right legal documents in place ensures you can step in if needed. These four are especially helpful:

• HIPAA Authorization Form
  This allows you or another trusted adult to speak with healthcare providers and access medical records. Without it, hospitals may not be able to share any information, even in an emergency.
• Healthcare Proxy / Medical Power of Attorney
  This gives your student a chance to name someone who can make medical decisions on their behalf if they can’t do so themselves.
• Durable Power of Attorney
  This lets you help with legal or financial matters, like dealing with a landlord or bank, if your student is unable to manage them.
• FERPA Waiver
  This form allows the college to share educational and select health-related information with you. It’s usually available through the school’s registrar.

Where to Get These Documents

An estate planning attorney can prepare these forms, or families can use reputable services like Mama Bear Legal Forms when a child turns 18. It’s a great idea to review everything together before the start of the school year.

Setting the Stage for a Smooth Transition

College is an exciting time filled with new experiences and growing independence. As a parent, your role shifts, but it’s still incredibly important. By choosing the right health coverage, understanding privacy rules like FERPA, and preparing essential documents, you’re helping your student thrive while making sure support is there if it’s needed.

If you’d like help with these decisions or have questions, I’m always happy to talk through options that make sense for your family.

This material has been prepared in collaboration with Crystal Marketing Solutions, LLC, and has been edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. The information presented is based on sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. This material is for educational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the author, presenter, or affiliated organizations. It should not be construed as investment, tax, legal, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation before making any decisions.

Lake Road Advisors, a Fee-Only, independent financial planning firm with offices in Corning, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Vancouver, WA, works with clients virtually all across the country. Paul Sydlansky, the founder of Lake Road Advisors LLC, has worked in the financial services industry for 20+ years. Prior to founding Lake Road Advisors, Paul worked at Morgan Stanley in Manhattan for 13 years. While at Morgan Stanley, Paul was a senior-level manager within the Institutional Equities Department. In 2018 he was named to Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list. Paul received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Marist College and holds an MBA from New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Paul is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and the XY Planning Network. They can be reached by phone at the Corning, NY office at (607) 438-2914, Ithaca, NY office at (607) 463-8400, or Vancouver, WA office at (607) 292-2172 or at the firm’s website at https://lakeroadadvisors.com/