Shop around for insurance options
Things never go exactly according to plan – this is why insurance is so important.
“To me, insurance is extremely important to have. Although the Student Health Center is convenient and cost- effective, it is only available when it’s open Monday through Friday,” said Noell Hansen, the Utah State University insurance coordinator.
If students have an emergency, are out of town or have a family, they need additional services for illness or an emergency.
“It’s so important to have coverage,” Hansen said.
According to Hansen, only one-third of students have health insurance coverage through the school. This does not include those on parents’ or an employer’s plan.
Hansen said most of the student population is in a typically healthy age group and think they don’t need insurance. But an injury or illness could be a financial catastrophe for a student without insurance.
“I’ve experienced enough illness and injuries that depended on insurance. Something like that can affect [a student’s] school career,” Hansen said.
The only health insurance option offered through USU to students is through the Personal Insurance Administrators. It covers general medical problems and injuries.
It is renewable each semester for undergraduate students, graduate students and for one semester after graduation.
Hansen said students need to remember the Student Health Center and the insurance plan are not affiliated. The plan is through an independent company.
To qualify, undergraduate students must be enrolled for six or more credits, and graduates must have three or more. The program allows one layout semester every year for students who take time off school. They still have to purchase the insurance for that semester.
The prices vary depending on students’ level of coverage, the length of the semester and the number of people on the policy.
Students on the plan must go to the Student Health Center for treatment first unless it is closed, they are a dependent of a USU student, they are 30 miles away or there is an emergency, Hansen said. This plan does use the IHC provider network.
“We feel very good about the availability of options for students to have a large selection,” Hansen said.
“We’ve offered student health insurance for a large number of year, and students seem to be appreciative to have it available to them. It contributes to their success,” Hansen said.
Hansen said many independent companies are available off-campus, and she has found them to be very helpful to students.
“I encourage students to do their homework. It’s important to research all the options available,” Hansen said.
For more information on student insurance options, contact Hansen at 797-0066 or by e-mail at neh@cc.usu.edu. Also, brochures are available in the Student Health Center and outside Hansen’s office next to the Financial Aid Office in the Taggart Student Center.