Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, insurance policies must cover these services by 2014. (Denise Guerra/Neon Tommy)

Under the Affordable Care Act, student health plans offered by colleges will now include more services at the cost of students having to pay higher premiums.

Traditionally, colleges offered student health plans at reduced rates by splitting the costs with health-care providers, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses for students.

But federal law now mandates that all health insurance plans — including those offered by universities — must cover costs associated with the law’s “10 essential health benefits,” which includes services like preventative care, mental health and prescription drugs. Health insurance providers can no longer deny students with pre-existing conditions and prohibits annual lifetime limits. 

Most schools have already altered their student health plans to comply with the health care law passed in 2010.

As a result, students starting the school year can take advantage of services such as no-cost mammograms, immunizations and screenings for depression, alcohol and obesity.

Costs can vary between schools and may depend on whether the college self-funds, is supported by premiums paid by students or partners with a third-party health provider.

The University of Southern California’s student health plan is underwritten by Aetna, one of the largest student health providers in California. When the college first partnered with Aetna in 2010, annual premiums started at $1040. Today, the cost has increased by 45 percent to $1,519.

Before implementing the health law’s new provisions, the State University in New York at Plattsburgh offered annual premiums at $440. Today, the school’s self-funded premiums will set students back $1,380.

Under the new health law, students have the option to look for health plans beyond campus.

Individuals under the age of 26 can continue to stay on their parent’s insurance plan or find a plan through government-backed online health exchanges.

These exchanges, otherwise known as insurance marketplaces, offers buyers a chance to browse different insurance plan options. Enrollment for these exchanges will begin October 2013 and can be accessed online, by phone or mail.

Reach Staff Reporter Denise Guerra here. Find her on Twitter here