When you’re a student—juggling classes, part‑time work, social life, and self‑care—having robust health insurance isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s essential. In 2025, mental health challenges remain among the top drivers of disability worldwide, and prescription drug costs continue to climb. You need a plan that:
Prioritizes mental health therapy, with low copays or coinsurance for in‑network counseling and psychiatry.
Covers prescription medications, from generics to specialty drugs, at an affordable copay or coinsurance.
Keeps your out‑of‑pocket costs predictable, with clear deductibles and maximums.
Offers a broad network, so you can easily find in‑network therapists, psychiatrists, and pharmacies.
Below, you’ll find an in‑depth comparison, actionable guidance on how to choose, and a side‑by‑side table to help you pick the best student health insurance plan for 2025.
Best Student Health Insurance Plans for Mental Health Therapy in 2025
Aetna Student Health Plan (PPO)
Therapy Copay: $25–$60 per visit (after deductible) (zencare.co)
Number of Sessions: Unlimited in‑network; deductible applies then copay
Network: Nationwide Aetna Open Choice PPO
Highlights: Virtual counseling through CVS Health Virtual Care™; discounts on complementary therapies (acupuncture, massage) (Aetna)
All premiums are approximate and vary by school, age, and subsidy eligibility.
Affordable Student Health Insurance with Prescription Drug Coverage
Prescription drug costs often make up 30–40% of your out‑of‑pocket medical spend. In 2025:
ACA‑mandated Coverage: All exchange and small‑group plans must include a prescription drug formulary covering at least one drug per therapeutic class (Verywell Health).
Tiered Copays: Generic drugs usually cost $5–$15, preferred brands $25–$40, and non‑preferred or specialty drugs 20–30% coinsurance.
Mail‑Order & 90‑Day Supplies: Lower per‑pill costs (e.g., 2× retail copay for a 90‑day supply) (The University of Rhode Island).
Student Formularies: Wellfleet’s Student Formulary offers over 40 drugs at $0 copay, steering you toward generics and reducing abuse of high‑cost medications (Wellfleet Rx).
Out‑Of‑Pocket Caps: After the plan’s annual maximum, covered prescriptions drop to $0; always check whether Rx spend applies toward that max.
Tips to save:
Use in‑network pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens).
Switch to generic equivalents whenever possible.
Enroll in student HSAs if you have a high‑deductible health plan to pay Rx with pre‑tax dollars.
Ask your doctor about therapeutic alternatives that cost less.
Student Health Insurance Mental Health Therapy Coverage Explained
Thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, most health plans must cover mental health and substance‑use services on par with medical/surgical benefits (Vox). Yet specifics vary:
In‑Network Therapy
Copays vs. Coinsurance: Many plans (UHC, BCBS) offer flat-rate copays ($15–$25) for in‑network outpatient therapy with no deductible; coinsurance applies after deductible for some PPOs.
Deductible Waivers: UHC U‑SHIP waives the deductible for in‑network mental health visits, then you pay coinsurance (10% in‑network) (wellness.uchicago.edu).
Out‑Of‑Network Benefits
You may pay 30–50% coinsurance after meeting an out‑of‑network deductible. Often plans limit the number of allowable out‑of‑network sessions.
Teletherapy
Virtual platforms (Teladoc, MDLIVE) offer 7‑day availability, sometimes unlimited online therapy for a flat monthly fee (GSH).
Great for tight schedules and campus‑to‑home continuity.
Types of Therapy Covered
Evidence‑Based Modalities: CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, etc. (zencare.co).
Exclusions: No coverage for non‑evidence–based services (aromatherapy, life coaching) (zencare.co).
Psychiatric Medication Management
Often covered under medical benefits for office visits; Rx coverage runs under pharmacy. Verify copays vs. coinsurance.
Prescription Drug Coverage in Student Health Plans
When evaluating Rx coverage, focus on these facets:
Formulary Tiers: Most plans classify drugs into three tiers—generics (Tier 1), preferred brand (Tier 2), and non‑preferred/specialty (Tier 3).
Tier 3/Specialty: 20–50% coinsurance after deductible, with caps.
90‑Day Mail Order: Usually 2× retail copay; lowers total cost if you need chronic meds.
Student Formularies: Wellfleet’s 40+ drug list at $0 copay is a game‑changer—includes antidepressants, ADHD meds, mood stabilizers (Wellfleet Rx).
Out‑Of‑Pocket Maximum: All Rx spend typically counts toward your overall health plan max.
Actionable Rx Tips:
Always request generic formulas first.
Check if your school’s plan includes a student Rx discount card.
Use your plan’s online formulary tool (e.g., Aetna’s “Find a Medication”) to verify coverage before filling (Aetna).
Comparing Student Health Insurance Premiums & Out‑Of‑Pocket Costs
You’ll typically see:
Cost Element
Typical Range
Notes
Annual Premium
$1,200–$5,400+
Varies by carrier, state, plan type, age
Deductible
$300–$1,000
Lower for HMO; higher for PPO/HSA‑eligible plans
Out‑of‑Pocket Max
$2,000–$7,000
Includes deductibles, copays, coinsurance
Office Visit Copay
$10–$30
Primary care & specialist; mental health often lower copay
Therapy Copay
$10–$60
Many campus plans cap at $20
Rx Copay Tier 1
$0–$15
Some formularies offer $0 generic copay
Coinsurance Rate
10–30% after deductible
For many PPO‑level services
Key takeaway: Don’t pick a plan on premium alone. A low premium with high deductibles and coinsurance can cost you more if you need regular therapy or multiple prescriptions.
How to Choose the Right Student Health Plan
Assess Your Mental Health Needs
Will you need ongoing therapy? Unlimited in‑network sessions can save you hundreds.
Do you require psychiatry and medication management? Check if office visits and Rx spend count toward the same deductible or max.
Review Prescription Coverage
Use your school’s formulary to see if your current or anticipated meds are Tier 1.
Compare copays vs. coinsurance and out‑of‑pocket caps.
Check Networks
Ensure your preferred therapists, psychiatrists, and pharmacies are in‑network.
If you plan to travel or study abroad, verify GeoBlue or BlueCard Global Core access.
Understand Cost‑Sharing
Know your deductible, coinsurance, and copays.
Look for deductible waivers on mental health visits (e.g., UHC U‑SHIP).
Explore Teletherapy & Virtual Pharmacy
Virtual visits can bypass campus closures or social stigma.
Mail-order Rx often cuts costs for maintenance meds.
Use Student Discounts & HSAs
Some plans partner with wellness programs—earn points for healthy activities.
If you pick an HSA‑eligible high‑deductible plan, use pretax dollars for Rx and therapy bills.
Read the Fine Print
Pay attention to exclusions (e.g., non‑evidence therapies).
Note lifetime or per‑year visit limits on certain mental health services.
Talk to Your School’s Benefits Administrator
They often have FAQs, webinars, and one‑on‑one counseling to help you through the waiver/enrollment process.
Deep Dive: Aetna Student Health Plan
Plan Structure: PPO (Open Choice)
Mental Health: Outpatient therapy copay $25–$60 per visit (copays apply after deductible) (zencare.co)
Prescription: Tiered copays; generic $10; brand and specialty tiered; searchable “Find a Medication” tool (Aetna)
Extras:
CVS Health Virtual Care™ for online therapy & psych evals
Discounts on massage therapy, acupuncture, weight‑loss programs (Aetna)
Why choose Aetna?
Broad PPO network means more therapist choices.
Virtual and complementary therapy discounts.
Deep Dive: UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (U‑SHIP)
Plan Structure: PPO underwritten by UHC, with campus‑specific Master Policies
Mental Health:
$20 copay for in‑network mental health office visits (coinsurance applies, but deductible waived) (wellness.uchicago.edu)
Structure: Varies by state; commonly PPO/EPO with no‑referral mental health
Therapy: $15–$20 in‑network; 30% coinsurance OON.
Prescription: $5 generic; $25 preferred brand; higher tiers for specialty.
Global: BlueCard & GeoBlue for international needs (Campus Health)
Why choose Student Blue?
Simple tiered Rx; low‑cost generics.
Automatic preventive mental‑health screenings at $0.
Conclusion
Choosing the right student health insurance in 2025 requires balancing therapy access, prescription affordability, and overall cost‑sharing.
Aetna Student Health and UHC U‑SHIP lead on mental health copays and network breadth.
Wellfleet Rx slashes your drug spend.
AcademicBlue and Student Blue integrate telehealth, wellness tools, and global coverage.
By aligning your plan choice with your therapy needs and medications, you’ll keep more money in your pocket—and more resources for your studies, self‑care, and success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many therapy sessions will my student plan cover?
A: Most in‑network plans allow unlimited sessions, subject to copays or coinsurance. Always verify whether a deductible applies first.
Q: Are virtual therapy visits covered?
A: Yes. Aetna, UHC, BCBS, and AcademicBlue all offer virtual counseling through platforms like CVS Health Virtual Care™ and MDLIVE (Aetna, Home).
Q: Will my mental health visits count toward my deductible or out‑of‑pocket max?
A: It varies. UHC U‑SHIP often waives the deductible for mental health visits; coinsurance still applies (wellness.uchicago.edu). Other plans apply standard deductible first.
Q: How do I check if my prescription is covered?
A: Use your insurer’s online formulary lookup:
Q: Can I stay on my parent’s insurance instead?
A: If you’re under 26, you may stay on your parent’s ACA plan or employer‑sponsored coverage. Compare premiums and out‑of‑pocket costs before deciding to waive your campus SHIP.
Q: What if I study abroad?
A: Look for GeoBlue or BlueCard Global Core access (Student Blue, AcademicBlue). For short‑term international, consider dedicated global student insurance from GeoBlue or IMG.
Ready to enroll? Check your school’s Student Health Insurance Office or visit each carrier’s portal to compare quotes, waive or enroll, and get peace of mind for your mental health and medication needs in 2025.
