Olivia Arbogast • Staff Writer • oa191109@ohiou.edu
Ohio University will hold on to its current student health insurance for another year, thanks to delays in efforts for a statewide insurance standard.
OU will continue using United Healthcare through the 2011-2012 school year, said Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi. The school approached the Minnetonka, Minn., company for a quote Monday, Lombardi said.
It is a potential extension of a contract created five years ago while the university waits for the state's Inter-University Council to finalize a statewide plan for all public universities in Ohio.
The Inter-University Council is looking for a collective bid for student insurance plans
Lombardi said. It would mean better premiums.
However, Lombardi said the plan, which was to be finalized by now, will not be ready by next year. Therefore, United Healthcare will provide again next year, albeit with some changes.
(Graduate Student Senate) is currently compiling a list of recommendations that we will bring to the meeting on Monday night said Graduate Student Senate President Tracy Kelly. Then we are going to seek our body's feedback on those to see if they have any recommendations they would like to supplement our list with.
Lombardi said student feedback had led OU to consider at least two new additions on the current plan, which costs students about $400 per year. Students have wanted the plan to cover immunizations as well as WellBeing visits - regular checkups that otherwise are not covered.
As of right now
the plan doesn't cover physicals - only sicknesses and injury
Lombardi said.
Lombardi said he intends to take the proposal before Graduate Student Senate and Student Senate to collect feedback.
We are very dissatisfied with the current plan
Kelly said. Especially with the lack of vision coverage
dental coverage - the fact that current prescriptions that are commonly used are not covered under the plan.
Lombardi said the company probably won't have a quote ready for another four to six weeks. The plan is not finalized and he is waiting for more feedback from students.
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