I recently turned 23, and, yes, I know that makes me older than most students on campus. As a result, I have taken my fair share of good-natured prodding about my age.

I have no problems with growing up – except for the price that comes with it. United Healthcare, the health care provider of my parents that covered me, dropped me because they deemed me too old to be their dependent.

Under United Healthcare policy, students have one month after their 23rd birthday to find a new policy or be left without coverage.

I don’t have the luxury of going without coverage.

I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 2, and always am reminded of that by the insulin pump on my hip as it warns me of low insulin levels.

Diabetes is a bit of a nuisance, but it by no means runs my life. However, it does make health care coverage of the utmost importance.

Prices of medical supplies needed for me to live a healthy life are out of this world. I would not be able to afford them were it not for health care coverage.

One vial of insulin, which lasts for approximately three weeks, costs more than $100 without insurance. A box of test strips, which lasts about as long as a vial of insulin, goes for more than $50. A three-month supply of pump equipment costs more than $800.

Without insurance, a year of supplies would cost me approximately $5,750, not including doctor visits. Compare that to a year of in-state tuition here at the University, which is $4,334.

Diabetes is clearly one of the most expensive medical conditions to cope with, but one in which I have no choice but to deal with.

From the time I was dropped from my parents’ insurance to the time I picked up a new policy – which was almost two months – I was forced to pay for supplies. Fortunately, my parents were able to help me out.

I sympathize with students who don’t have insurance or parents who can afford to help them.

As I wavered between being insured and uninsured and back to insured, I realized that finding the right health care provider was more difficult than I originally had thought.

After several months of trying to find a new plan, I finally settled on one in which I was still covered under my parents. Unfortunately, it came with a much higher price, but one in which I had no choice but to take due to my diabetes.

For students with the ability to get insurance, you must have discussions with several health care providers. Each provider will offer something different. The key is to know what type of coverage you want, the price you are willing to pay and, if you have a pre-existing condition, what their policy is regarding that.

To all my fellow students, I say, make sure you always know where you stand with your insurance. Otherwise, you may wind up the butt end of age jokes – and scrambling for health insurance like I was.

- Josh Cagliani is a senior from Hampton majoring in magazines.