USF offers new insurance plan

by Naomi Prioleau                                          Read students' reactions here. 

        
            Students looking to buy health insurance from the school’s usual provider may be in for a surprise this year. 

USF’s Student Health Services recently changed insurance providers for the current school year and not all students are happy about it.

“It’s not helpful to students because it’s so expensive now,” Vithbuti Patel a senior majoring in art, said. “Even if we work to try and pay the amount we’re still stranded with out health care.”

After partnering with BlueCross BlueShield Association insurance for the past two years, UnitedHealthcare insurance won the bid for a one-year renewable term plan with USF for the 2010 to 2011 academic year.

Insurance premium will increase from roughly $1500 to $2500 this year and it could be one of the reasons that 25 percent of students at USF and nationwide are uninsured.

Susanna Perez-Field, Office Manager of Student Health Services, believes that the reason for the mixed reviews from students is due to the small number of people buying insurance.

          “USF doesn’t require insurance, so we do have a smaller group of about 4 percent of students requesting it,” Perez-Field said. “If we were to stay with BlueCross, the premium would double from $1539 to $3324.”

Student Government’s last election included the question of whether health insurance should be mandatory at USF and out of 2,587 votes, 1,550 students voted “no.”

                  However, health insurance is required for international students and students in the College of Nursing and College of Medicine if they do not already have it.

                  If students decide to purchase health insurance, the benefits they would receive by UnitedHealthcare would include: outpatient services, mammogram check ups, osteoporosis services, services for newborn infants or adopted/foster children, child health assurance, check ups for diabetes, hospital dental procedures, post-surgical mastectomy care and services for cleft lip.

                  While students are not required to buy insurance, Betsy Thompson, a Student Resources representative for UnitedHealthcare, urges students to do so.

                  “It’s more expensive not to have it,” Thompson said. “Some students have serious diseases, unfortunately and with inpatient and outpatient benefits, the matter of cost would be less expensive.”

                  However, some students like Nahomie Vincente, a junior majoring in speech pathology, do not see the need for health insurance.

                  “I never really had any sickness that needed to be covered,” Vincente said. “My Dad didn’t work and since he didn’t have health insurance, I never really thought I needed it.”

                  Thompson disagrees with this way of thinking.

“Students aren’t thinking of the ‘what if’s’,” Thompson said.

                  If a student decides not to purchase insurance offered by the school, he or she may look at other, plans however, Perez-Field believes that there are vital things to look for in every insurance plan.

                   “Look for the ones who have a large provider network and that they give you more bang for your money if they are larger,” Perez-Field said. “Make sure it’s not just in local coverage, but also for if you go on vacation or out of the country.      

USF Bulls students tackle health insurance

by Kirstin Hermansen

Health insurance is a must today for those attending college, but is it worth the price?

Students at the University of South Florida recently discussed their thoughts on the health insurance plans offered by the college for the 2010/11 school year and whether it can help them.

According to Student Health Services, USF provides students with high quality health care.  In turn, it helps promote lifelong success through health and wellness.

Most students at the university agree that having some sort of insurance plan is a necessity. 

Gustavo Duluc, 21, a senior computer engineering major, believes that if the insurance plan is affordable and covers a student’s necessities, it is definitely a good idea for the university to offer one.

“Everyone needs medical assistance, especially students who deal with a low budget while attending college,” Duluc said.  He said that if he wasn’t already on a plan, he would consider USF’s insurance plan.

While some students see USF’s health insurance as a positive plan to assist college students, others see it as a necessity because of President Obama’s current health care actions.

Diana Atwood, 21, a senior in the school of chemical engineering, believes that having a health care is a necessity for everyone and has a negative view of Obama’s plan.

“I think it's (USF health insurance) a good idea, especially with the new health care rules Obama has introduced, making it hard for students who are financially independent to have good, if any, health insurance.”

Atwood is not on the USF plan.

According to the president’s health care plan, students are now allowed to stay under their parent’s plan until they are 26, however those uninsured are now required by law to have health insurance.

Other students on have mixed views on the university’s health care plan.

USF senior Ivan Deveaux, 22, a senior psychology major, has a completely different view of campus health care.  He believes that it is a good idea for the university to offer competitive health care options to students, but right now it has not reached a point where students want to enroll.

“Students are insured by their parents and employers, and these insurance plans offer more service for less money,” Deveaux said.

About Me

The Health4U blog was created by four journalism students at the University of South Florida. The group covers student health issues with multimedia tools. Below are profiles of the Health4U creators.

Ashley Morlote
Ashley Morlote is a fourth-year journalism major at the University of South Florida. She has had experience in the industry with several internships. During the summer of 2008, she was the associate producer for a daily news program on Caribevision, a Hispanic television station. The following summer, Morlote was an editorial intern for Jacksonville Magazine, where she had several feature articles published. She is currently an intern for Ourblook.com where she is gaining experience in web production. She is expected to graduate in 2011.

Kirstin Hermansen
Kirstin Hermansen, 21, is a Mass Communications student at the University of South Florida focusing in magazine journalism. She is interested in cosmetics and fashion and hopes to combine her love with writing in a beauty-related magazine. Kirstin is a senior and will be graduating in the spring of '11. Right now she is a freelancer for Pur Minerals cosmetics. She goes to events and grand openings and represents the company with demonstrations and makeovers. She loves making people feel good about themselves. When she is not at school or work, she is home with her family and 2-year-old Yorkie, Maggie.

Naomi Prioleau
Naomi Prioleau is a senior majoring in Mass Communications—News Editorial. She has traveled abroad and won numerous awards for her writing. Naomi hopes to become a travel journalist for National Geographic. In her spare time, Naomi enjoys writing, reading and Pilates.

Emily Handy

Emily Handy is a senior studying magazine journalism at the University of South Florida. Specializing in the topics of art, technology and nerd culture, she has a strong background in graphics as well as editing experience from her years at The Oracle, USF's award-winning student paper.