Here we are, in the sixth week of school already, and I have not received any confirmation of health coverage. My wife and I moved here in August and were enveloped by the school processes, policies and procedures. I chose to use the school's health provider and am paying the fees for that coverage. We also paid the additional fee ($775 to be exact) for my wife to be covered as well. That money has already been charged to our credit card, so we understand that to mean they received our information. The frustrating thing is that we haven't received a letter indicating the type of coverage, specific benefits and locations, or anything!
I did, however, receive an e-mail following my initial letter of complaint indicating that I was in fact covered. Right! Why did my wife have difficulty trying to fill some prescriptions? The local pharmacy had no record of my enrollment in the health insurance. We called the health care provider and they informed me that I was NOT covered as of yet. Additionally, what would have been the case if we were pregnant? I find that the system that the school uses to be unfair and, quite frankly, outdated. If I am REQUIRED to have insurance prior to the start of classes, and opt for the school's insurance policy, well by God I should be covered.
Moreover, if I am still uninsured going into the sixth week of the ten-week quarter, it would only be ethical for my coverage to be pro-rated and I get some of that money back. It would be like paying for ten gallons worth of gas but only receiving five. More than a third of the quarter is through and yet no coverage. The lesson that all can learn from this is that there needs to be a better system of communication from the school and the health care provider. What should a student think, or assume, when they are left in the dark not really knowing how to go about making a claim, filling a prescription or simply finding out what their coverage entails?
Jeremy Campbell is a graduate student studying recreation and sport sciences.
4 Opinion
Letter to the Editor
