Some students are covered on their parents' or spouse's plans, and some are covered through their jobs, but there are others who are not covered at all.

While there are several insurance companies that offer individual health insurance plans, Campus HealthPartners is also available as an option offered through the UA, and a comparison by the Daily Wildcat shows its premiums are some of the lowest in the city.

Through an agreement with HealthPartners Health Plans, the university and the Campus Health Center have devised a health insurance plan especially for university students and their families. Although the program has been in effect for many years, the addition of the HealthPartners network is a recent one.

The campus plan is available to undergraduate students enrolled in at least five credits and to graduate students enrolled in any graduate program. Although the plan requires students to first seek help at the Campus Health Center, it can be an advantage over other plans offered in the community, said Murray DeArmond, director of Campus Health and Wellness Services.

"We don't ask any health history questions like a lot of places, and we also offer maternity benefits while still charging males and females the same rate," he said.

Approximately 5,000 university students are enrolled in the insurance network, DeArmond said. A majority of those are graduate students, because they are often too old to be carried on their parents' policies, regardless of their student status, said Joyce Meder, clinic administrator at the Campus Health Center.

This number also includes international students, who are required to purchase the plan.

While HealthPartners will provide emergency coverage outside of Tucson, it encourages students to use the facilities provided because they are located on campus and are therefore convenient to everybody, DeArmond said. Students are also given a number to call after hours to reach a doctor.

Patty Eslinger, undeclared sophomore, said, "I chose this plan because I'm from out of state, and it is convenient. I think the costs are reasonable, and I haven't had any problems so far."

She said she didn't shop around for insurance, because it was hard to do from her home in Maryland and because the school plan was available and seemed to cover what she needed.

The HealthPartners plan has many benefits and its rates are comparable to those available elsewhere in the city. There are deductibles and co-pays, but office visits to the Campus Health Center are included in the flat fee. The main benefit in most other plans, but not in the school plan, is prescriptions. But the Health Center does house its own pharmacy, and, because it is a nonprofit organization, passes the savings on to the students.

All registered students can use the facilities at the Campus Health Center, regardless of their insurance coverage, DeArmond said.

While the bills will be expensive for noninsured students, they can at least get help. Throat cultures, for instance, are free to insured students, but will cost an uninsured student $16. Ankle X-rays, another item included in HealthPartners insurance, cost $88.75.

Students insured through other companies will get charged on the university bill and can then get reimbursed by their provider.

"Our plan is very attractive. It covers those students whose parents have lost their insurance, as well as the families of students. The rates are comparable and reasonable with the rest of the city, and I think students are satisfied," DeArmond said.

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