Oregon University System administrators have asked health center staff at each Oregon university to look into to providing students with optional health care through an OUS-managed plan, a move that could make college life more convenient for students.
Elizabeth Dickenson, risk manager for OUS, said if the student insurance plan comes into effect, it will be affordable because it will likely be added to student fees.
“We want students to be aware of what goes into providing health care and have the chance to provide their input for what the final product will offer,” she said.
Dr. Gerald Fleischli, director of the Student Health Center, said there is an increasing need for students to have their own health insurance policies, because it is inconvenient and dangerous for out of town students to be covered under their parents’ health maintenance organizations. He said in times of illness or injury, many health care providers will not cover patients out of the provider’s vicinity, in order to keep costs down.
He said he has seen patients for everything from seizures to ankle fractures who could not be treated in Eugene because their parents’ insurance did not cover the area.
“Students think they have good insurance, until they realize it often doesn’t count here,” he said.
To determine if student insurance can become a reality, OUS schools are collecting information about students’ health concerns.
The University’s Student Health Advisory Committee, an administrative group of students, faculty and staff, is reaching out to students with a three-question survey to determine their health care needs.
The SHAC exists as a communication link between student health centers and students in providing information about students’ health needs and concerns.
Amy Biggs, vice chairwoman of the SHAC and a junior general science and psychology major, is working to give students the option for insurance.
“Our goal is to find out what the students really want and need,” she said.
Biggs said she and the other students have been sending out the survey over the last two weeks to find out what students want in terms of health care, and to also find new ideas and concerns they may have.
She said a mass e-mail announcing the survey has been sent out to Greek students, non-traditional students and international students. Open forums may also be planned for the future, she said, adding that students are invited to complete the survey themselves on the Student Health Center Web page.
“Including everyone is the only way to satisfy everyone,” she said.
Biggs said once the SHAC compiles its survey data, they will combine it with other OUS schools and send out a request for information to insurance companies to get an idea of how much this project would cost.
Biggs said the University is ahead of other schools in collecting students’ health concerns.
“We have the largest population, so it’s extra important that we make sure our students’ demands are met,” she said.
Dickenson said it is important to provide affordable health care to students, since coverage is becoming more expensive. She said insurance costs are going up, because only people who know they need insurance are buying it.
“This makes affordable health care an issue for everyone,” she said. “None of us have a crystal ball and know when we’ll need coverage.”
Optional student health coverage stakes claim in Oregon
Daily Emerald
January 29, 2001
0
More to Discover