Remembering back to my college days, getting insurance wasn't that big of a deal. Insurance was cheap and part of the fee structure at the 4 year university I attended. It covered time between semesters and one could purchase coverage for a period of time after graduating or leaving early. Fast forward about 30 years, and that is still the case for the university in my town. The student health literature suggests making a close comparison between parent's coverage and university coverage especially if the student is in an out of network area. The cost of the student insurance is a bit below the cost of the minimum tax of $695.
Even if student insurance isn't offered at your son's school, catastrophic coverage probably isn't all that much more than what your paying to your plan. Although employer plans are forced to cover 26 year old's, they don't have to subsidize the costs.
That’s true. My sons school does not offer it. And under my financial situation of being out of work, It’s prudent for me to cover him than to pay for Doctor bills.