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SolveYourProblem
Article Series:
Health Insurance
Health
Insurance Options: Full-Time Students
Universities
usually offer students some type special health insurance
benefits that are slightly less expensive
and more appropriate for a young, healthy student’s needs than
more expensive commercial insurance plans. Many student work
while in school and also may be able to get insurance though
their employer for a reduced group rate that will cover more
for their money. But for the student who does not work or live
at home, insurance options can be tough. If the student has
no qualifying dependents, they may not be able to qualify for
public assisted health benefits. They would have to rely on
the school’s health plan or go to a local clinic that pro-rates
the cost of care. If you are an international student, you
must have complete medical coverage before attending the college
of your choice.
The student benefits cover basic health insurance for all
students enrolled in 11.5 credit hours per semester automatically.
If you have less than 11.5, you will have to purchase the plan
for a small fee. Graduate students and teaching assistants
get a different type or health insurance package from the school.
They have the option of having their health care benefits through
an HMO or through a comprehensive type group such as Blue Cross/Blue
Shield. With the HMO plan you will pay a monthly fee from your
paycheck or a yearly cost that will part of your tuition. That
will allow you to receive care at a low fee co-pay option.
It also gives you the ability to have extra coverage in case
of emergencies or referral to specialists. With the comprehensive
plan, you will go to a pre-approved doctor, pay him or her,
and then submit your bill or receipt of payment to the insurance
company for reimbursement. You will need to take to your particular
school to see what benefits are available, who is eligible,
and at what cost.
All
eligible students are covered by the basic student plan,
but many are still either on their parent’s policy, have work
related insurance, or are on a spouses plan. The basic plan
is additional coverage beyond any other insurance you have.
This means that if you have other health insurance coverage
you submit medical bills to those companies first for payment.
The Student Health Service strongly recommends having additional
insurance in the event of a major illness or injury. The basic
coverage doesn’t cover emergency or hospital treatments, nor
does it allow you to see any doctor off campus in most cases.
Students having basic insurance are entitled to receive their
health care at the student health centers on campus only. So
any other medical need will come out of the students pocket.
The coverage of a student health plan begins on the first day
of the semester you are enrolled and ends the day the semester
closes. During school and semester breaks, with the exception
of scheduled school vacations, you will not be covered until
the next semester begins. Depending on your individual school,
the dates can vary.
The maximum
benefit coverage for the basic student health
plan is for expenses incurred due to injury as long as treatment
was received with in 90 days up to $5000 per injury. The maximum
benefit coverage for sickness is $5,000, provided that treatment
is received within 12 months from the date of the first treatment
for the sickness. If you need to go to the hospital most basic
plans will cover up to $5000 for your treatment and stay. Anything
accrued above and beyond, including out patient treatments
after discharge will be your sole responsibility. The maximum
per illness or injury is $5000 no matter what type of treatment
and how long you need it for. This is why it is very much recommended
to have some alternative form of insurance such as short-term
if a regular policy is too expensive. Most universities also
offer two major medical plans for student who would like more
coverage than the basic plan in case of serious illness or
injury that exceeds the $5000 cap. You can choose between a
$50,000 or $100,000 maximum benefit for a cost that will be
included in your tuition each year. Once you have exceeded
the $5000 cap you will be responsible for a deductible of some
kind, usually $250-$500. After that the major health plan will
pick up 80% of the medical bills till the cap is met or you
are done treatment, which ever happens first. Click here to to view health insurance quotes, compare plans side-by-side and apply for the most affordable health insurance within your budget. I did this myself (June 17, 2011) to change my health insurance policy. Saved me $84 per month (or $1,008 per year). It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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