Graduate Student Senate made a recommendation at last night's meeting about how to mitigate insurance premium hikes for the student injury and sickness plan next year.
The insurance company has asked for a $150 increase in premiums.
The senate recommended increasing the deductible - the amount a person must pay for larger medical costs such as hospital visits - from $50 to $75, which would reduce the
premium by $40.
The senate also recommended increasing the co-pay from $15 to $20 per visit outside of Hudson Health Center. This would reduce the premium
by $23.
With these changes, the new increase in premium would be $87.
Many of the senators would prefer not to have such a large increase in premium costs and not to reduce benefits.
The university could continue lobbying the insurance company for better prices and benefits, said Pete Wickman, president of the senate.
The university was supposed to send out a bid for a new insurance provider this year, but decided to wait a year as the Inter-University Council plans a uniform policy for all state schools.
Because the senators can no longer fight against increased student fees, it makes it more important for them to fight for lower health care costs, said Alyssa Thomas, senator for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Jackie Legg, interim director of Student Health Services, had recommended eliminating the out-of-pocket maximum, which is the total amount a person would pay per injury or sickness, but the senate decided not to recommend this.
Four students exceeded the out-of-pocket maximum last year. Although some senators said scrapping this option would benefit most students, ultimately they decided it was important to consider those few students who would be affected by the out-of-pocket maximum.
Legg will make a recommendation to Vice President for Student Affairs Kent Smith, who will decide whether to take action against the premium increase and how to minimize that increase.
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Jackie Best
