Nephew (resident MA) in college in OH – plan options?
My nephew (20) does not have health care thru his parents (mom is long out of the picture, dad is working construction with no benefits in VA).
Kiddo is a resident of MA and is attending college in OH (Columbus College of Art & Design) on scholarship and with my help.
Kiddo makes ~9k in the summers (well below poverty levels), so he has qualified for MassHealth (Medicaid) which is very local and only covers emergency services in OH. He has called to request being allowed to buy through Connector (?) but was told they can’t/won’t change his info so he’s stuck with Medicaid (his words).
The example he has had from his parents has made the kid unwilling to spend money on healthcare, which I’m trying to untwist. It’s clear that the kid needs regular therapy to stay functional in life, and also to go to the doctor when he doesn’t feel well. There was a lack of therapy related ER visit in 2022 which his MI Medicaid would not pay for and the kid had to figure out.
I’m trying to figure out what options there are for his health insurance and care, which I’m willing to pay for.
Key info – – Kiddo needs regular therapy – He is ADHD . He used an online doctor to renew his scripts this summer and is using GoodRx to purchase meds – He is Trans. PP has been amazing at helping with navigating the process, but is not easily available in OH. Also using GoodRx to purchase meds. – He needs bloodwork done annually for thyroid issues (the hypo is strong with our family, and he is approaching the average family diagnosis age).
My question is “what is the best option for this kid?”. – Is there a student healthcare plan (like BCBS Student Blue) in Ohio that doesn’t require his college to participate and won’t cost a ton? – Since he makes so little and has no assets, does it make more sense to keep him on MassHealth for emergencies, get him hooked up with a MassHealth provider for thyroid checks at Christmas etc and then pay cash out of pocket for therapy and other doctors visits in Ohio?
I’m far away (MA) and worry for and about him when he’s not insured but maybe I’m just worrying in general and MassHeath / Medicaid is a red herring?
submitted by /u/AnyProgram8084
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