The UNC System Board of Governors passed a unanimous resolution in August 2009 that requires all students to provide proof of health insurance or enroll in a system-wide plan beginning this fall for all students who meet a three-fold criterion.
The criterion states that a student enrolled in a degree-seeking program with a minimum of six credit hours eligible to pay the campus student health fee will be required to have health insurance this fall.
Rob Hayford, associate director of Student Health Services and coordinator of the insurance requirement implementation team, said approximately 10 percent of University students are without health insurance. The BOG plan gives students the option to obtain health insurance from Pearce & Pearce at the rate of $372 a semester or $744 a year.
“The University’s current plan gives students the option of obtaining health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield,” Hayford said. “That plan’s cost is 38 percent higher than what is being offered to students from Pearce & Pearce.”
According to Hayford, Pearce & Pearce is a vendor for Med Cost insurance company, a nationwide company that has been in business for over 40 years. The company’s insurance is already being used at other universities in the UNC School system. N.C. State is one of the last four institutions to require health insurance for all students.
Hayford said even though the decision was made by the BOG and the University had no input, the University administrators and Student Health support this decision.
Rishawnda Thompson, a freshman in textile engineering, said she felt conflicted over whether the policy was a good or bad idea.
“It’s good that students will have the option to have insurance from the University, and that students who have financial aid will have their insurance paid for,” Thompson said. “But I don’t think students who simply don’t want to pay for health insurance should have the extra burden of another fee.”
Jeanne Chen, a senior in biochemistry and student senator, said the Student Health Committee has been discussing the issue for a number of years.
“In the past we have been very opposed to the idea because Erskine Bowles wanted to require students to have insurance comparable to the insurance being offered by the UNC system,” Chen said. “We didn’t think that was fair, with the number of students our University has.”
Chen said the current plan does not require students to have a comparable insurance plan, just some kind of health insurance.
“I can’t say my committee supports the decision, but if we have to have a mandatory health insurance policy I think this is a good option,” she said.
Chen said the decision to implement this health insurance came from the BOG and had no involvement from Student Senate or the University as a whole.
Students who do not wish to pay for the system-wide plan must opt via the website www.studentinsurance.com If not, the charge is automatically applied along with tuition and student fees. This Web site can be accessed beginning Monday.
Hayford said Pearce and Pearce would verify whether a student’s insurance is deemed “creditable” or not. Waivers submitted between March 15 and May 31 will be reviewed by the company and verified on June 1.
Both Hayford and Chen said the system-wide plan is a bargain compared to other insurance premiums and encourage students to look at the details of the plan, whether they have insurance or not.
“We are not in the insurance business and recognize that students have every right to choose their own insurance company,” Hayford said. “They may look at this plan, however, and realize its affordability and decide to switch even if they already have health insurance.”
Hayford said students who qualify for financial aid will have the cost of health insurance included in their financial aid package. Students who do not qualify for aid and do not have their own health insurance will be required to pay for the system-wide plan.
As a student, Chen said she feels more secure knowing she has her own health insurance and recognizes that it takes a burden off of students when they don’t have to worry about medical costs.
“I was in a car accident last year, and I don’t know how I would’ve paid for the medical bills if I didn’t have insurance,” Chen said. “An accident can happen to anyone at anytime.”
According to Hayford, it is in the University’s best interest to have all of its students insured.
“If a student is sick and not able to come to class, that affects their education,” Hayford said.
The UNC system-wide plan includes 100 percent coverage of services at the University Student Health Center, a $150 deductible, 80 percent coinsurance of PPO allowance, an unlimited major medical lifetime maximum, a $500 wellness benefit, a vision care plan, and intercollegiate sports coverage up to $7,500. In addition, the plan includes an unlimited pharmacy maximum with a $10 co-pay at the University pharmacy and a four-tier plan for other pharmacies.
Students can also pay for an optional system-wide dental plan at a rate of $303.28. This plan is directed through Pearce & Pearce and is not paid for through a student’s campus account.
Hayford said students graduating this spring would not be affected because the requirement doesn’t go into effect until fall 2010.
“The plan does offer an option for students to continue receiving insurance for six months after they graduate,” Hayford said.
Garik Sadovy, a senior in material science and engineering, said he has health insurance from his parents but will avoid buying his own for as long as possible.
“I think a lot of the things paid for by health insurance can be avoided by investing in preventative measures and taking care of yourself,” Sadovy said. “No one should have to buy health insurance; it should be a choice.”
The plan specifically states that students may be covered for up to six months from the time the student’s plan ends and the student either graduates from or discontinues enrollment from N.C. State. Students may also obtain insurance at higher prices for a spouse/domestic partner and/or children.
Graduate students are required to have health insurance if they meet the three requirements set for undergraduates, with the exception that they only have to be enrolled for one credit hour.
For more information, students can find the Pearce & Pearce website at www.studentinsurance.com.
