Introduction: Why Mental Health Coverage Matters for Students

College can be extraordinary—but it also brings stress, homesickness, and academic pressure. According to the American College Health Association, over 60 percent of students reported feeling “overwhelming” anxiety in the last year. Having a plan that covers not just routine doctor visits but also therapy sessions and psychiatric care isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.

In this post, we’ll explore the top 7 student health insurance plans that go beyond the basics to include robust mental health benefits. Whether you’re seeking on-campus counseling or in-network teletherapy, our deep dive will help you pick the right plan for your budget and well-being.

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How We Chose the Top 7 Plans

To arrive at our list, we evaluated:

1. Mental Health Benefits – Coverage levels for outpatient psychotherapy, inpatient psychiatric services, tele-mental health, and prescription drugs.
2. Cost Factors – Premiums, deductibles, copays, and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP).
3. Network Breadth – Number of participating therapists, psychiatrists, and telehealth providers.
4. Student-Specific Features – On-campus clinics, 24/7 helplines, wellness apps, and crisis-stabilization programs.
5. User Satisfaction – Complaints data from state insurance departments and ratings by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

Wherever possible, I’ve linked to each insurer’s own summary pages or independent analyses for you to dig deeper.

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1. Aetna Student Health

Overview

Aetna Student Health partners with over 200 universities nationwide. Their plans consistently earn high marks for therapy copays and seamless claims processing (investopedia.com).

Key Mental Health Features

• Outpatient Therapy: 80 – 100 percent coverage after a $15 – $20 copay per session.
• Inpatient Psychiatric: 90 percent coverage after deductible.
• Telehealth: Unlimited virtual behavioral health visits.
• Prescription Drugs: Tier 1–3 drugs at copays as low as $5.

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,400 – $1,800 annually
• Deductible: $250 – $500
• MOOP: $3,500

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2. UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (U-SHIP)

Overview

U-SHIP, offered through UnitedHealthcare, is the most widely accepted SHIP on American campuses. Its mental health network is one of the largest, with over 30,000 behaviors health providers (collegevaluesonline.com).

Key Mental Health Features

• Outpatient Therapy: 100 percent covered at in-network Tier 1 providers (no copay).
• Inpatient Services: 90 percent covered (10 percent coinsurance).
• Crisis Hotline: 24/7 support via the Lifeline Network.
• Wellness Apps: Access to mindfulness and mood-tracking tools.

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,200 – $1,600 annually
• Deductible: $0 (for most in-network services)
• MOOP: $4,000

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3. Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue

Overview

BCBS’s Student Blue plan brings its nationwide network to students—with a special focus on campus-based counseling services and teletherapy (forbes.com).

Key Mental Health Features

• On-Campus Counseling: Covered in full under the Student Health Fee.
• Off-Campus Therapy: 80 percent coverage after a $20 copay.
• Tele-Mental Health: Unlimited visits via the BCBS digital platform.
• Preventive Screening: No-cost mental health screenings under the Mental Health Parity Act (verywellhealth.com).

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,300 – $1,700 annually
• Deductible: $250
• MOOP: $3,800

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4. Cigna Global Student Health

Overview

Ideal for study-abroad students, Cigna combines domestic coverage with international mental health support through partnerships with global counseling platforms (collegevaluesonline.com).

Key Mental Health Features

• International Teletherapy: 100 percent coverage after €10 copay.
• Local Provider Access: In-network benefits in 15 countries.
• 24/7 Mental Health Line: Confidential support in multiple languages.
• EAP Resources: Employee Assistance Program tools for stress management.

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,500 – $2,000 annually
• Deductible: $350
• MOOP: $4,500

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5. GeoBlue Student Secure

Overview

GeoBlue’s Student Secure plan is built on Blue Cross Blue Shield’s global network, emphasizing mental health support for international scholars (collegevaluesonline.com).

Key Mental Health Features

• Outpatient Therapy: 70 percent coverage after $25 copay.
• Inpatient Psychiatric: 80 percent coverage after deductible.
• Telehealth: Unlimited virtual behavioral visits at no extra cost.
• Prescription Coverage: 75 percent for psychotropic medications.

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,600 – $2,100 annually
• Deductible: $400
• MOOP: $5,000

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6. HTH Worldwide Student Health

Overview

HTH Worldwide is another strong choice for students venturing abroad. Their “Global Health and Wellness” package includes robust counseling resources and crisis support (benzinga.com).

Key Mental Health Features

• Local Provider Network: 80 percent coverage for in-network therapy visits.
• Tele-Counseling: 100 percent coverage via HTH Virtual Care.
• Emergency Evacuation: Coverage for psychiatric transport, when medically necessary.
• Wellness Platform: Online self-help modules and live webinars.

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,700 – $2,200 annually
• Deductible: $300
• MOOP: $4,800

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7. International Medical Group (IMG) Patriot Exchange

Overview

Designed for J-1 exchange students, the IMG Patriot Exchange plan offers comprehensive U.S. coverage—including mental health services—at competitive rates.

Key Mental Health Features

• Outpatient Therapy: 75 percent coverage after $20 copay.
• Inpatient Psychiatric: 90 percent coverage after deductible.
• Telehealth: Unlimited virtual behavioral visits at $15/session.
• Prescription Drugs: 80 percent coverage after a $10 copay.

Costs at a Glance

• Premiums: $1,100 – $1,500 annually
• Deductible: $250
• MOOP: $3,900

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At-a-Glance Comparison Table

Plan	Annual Premium	Therapy Copay	Inpatient Coverage	Telehealth	MOOP
Aetna Student Health	$1,400 – $1,800	$15 – $20/session	90 % after deductible	Unlimited visits	$3,500
UHC U-SHIP	$1,200 – $1,600	$0 (Tier 1)	90 % coinsurance	24/7 hotline	$4,000
BCBS Student Blue	$1,300 – $1,700	$20/session	90 % after deductible	Unlimited visits	$3,800
Cigna Global Student Health	$1,500 – $2,000	€10/session	80 % after deductible	100 % coverage	$4,500
GeoBlue Student Secure	$1,600 – $2,100	$25/session	80 % after deductible	Unlimited visits	$5,000
HTH Worldwide Global Health & Wellness	$1,700 – $2,200	$0 (virtual), $25 in-network	80 % after deductible	100 % virtual	$4,800
IMG Patriot Exchange	$1,100 – $1,500	$20/session	90 % after deductible	$15/session	$3,900

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Key Insights & Implications

1. Zero Copay Tiers Lower Financial Barriers
   Plans like U-SHIP that waive therapy copays at Tier 1 providers can save hundreds per semester—critical for students on tight budgets.
2. Telehealth Is No Longer Optional
   Unlimited virtual visits are now table stakes. GeoBlue, Cigna, and HTH lead the pack with seamless tele-mental health integrations.
3. International Coverage Matters
   For study-abroad or exchange students, plans with global networks (Cigna, GeoBlue, IMG) ensure continuity of care across borders.
4. Wellness Tools Enhance Engagement
   Access to apps, webinars, and EAP resources (U-SHIP, HTH) supports proactive mental health maintenance, not just crisis intervention.
5. Comparing MOOP Is Crucial
   A plan with slightly higher premiums but lower maximum out-of-pocket (like Aetna) can be more cost-effective if you anticipate multiple therapy sessions.

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Conclusion: Choosing the Right Fit

Selecting the best student health insurance plan isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how to decide:

• On-Campus Care Only? BCBS Student Blue or U-SHIP for full on-campus counseling coverage.
• Budget-Conscious? IMG Patriot Exchange or U-SHIP provide solid mental health benefits at lower premiums.
• Going Abroad? Cigna or GeoBlue for seamless international coverage.
• Prefer Virtual Therapy? Aetna, HTH, and U-SHIP—all offer unlimited telehealth with minimal copays.

Remember to verify in-network providers in your area and consider any school health fee waivers. With the right plan, you’ll not only meet your university’s insurance requirements but also secure the mental health support you need to thrive academically and personally.

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All benefit details are subject to plan documents. For the most accurate, up-to-date information, always consult the insurer’s official policy documents linked above.