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Editor:
I am the director of the Student Health Advisory Council, and I have been working with the international students on the current health insurance policies. I would like to clarify a few things that have been brought up in the Wildcat recently.
First of all, we are working with Campus Health Services to improve the information that is sent out to all international as well as domestic students. Our main goal is to get the information out in an effective manner so that everyone is aware of what Partners has to offer.
As far as changing the current policy, it will be a long process to go through. We want to help the students as much as possible, but in many cases, our hands are tied as well as those of Campus Health. They do not have the final say on how the federal regulations are implemented in the university.
There have also been concerns raised about the amount of coverage offered in the insurance plan. As far as the $50,000 limit, it is a per illness basis, not per lifetime. Granted, hospital bills can easily reach above and beyond that limit for one illness. However, of the 5,000-plus students who carry the policy, less than seven have ever gone beyond the limit.
The current policy was chosen from a series of bids presented to the school and the Arizona Board of Regents. The policy was chosen because it offered the most options for the least amount of money.
We do not want to raise costs of attending the university if at all possible. We are looking to increase the overall coverage when the policy is reviewed again. But that will come at a price. Most insurance companies offer more coverage, but for a larger price, especially for women. This policy is not based on gender. The idea of offering varying amounts of coverage to students was looked into when the current policy was up for bid, but the insurance companies could not offer it, as well as offering extended coverage (dental, vision, etc.) for an additional price.
When it comes to the policies, the hands of the administrators are tied to a certain extent because they can only choose from the policies offered. If a company does not bid, then it is not an option.
Campus Health Services as well as those in the Student Health Advisory Council would like to receive input from students on what to look for in the next bid. If anyone has any suggestions, I would encourage you to leave them at ASUA or SHAC. We are here to serve as a liaison for the students to Campus Health. We work closely with them and will be able to present all suggestions to them as well as input on the next policy.
Laura A. DeMuro
community health education junior
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