Insurance provider changes, rates increase

by Ben Roode
Staff Writer

A change of insurance providers for Ohio University graduate students has increased both student options and yearly rates.

But graduate students should not have to pay for fee increases, said Derek Bleyle, OU Graduate Student Senate president.

"Right now, I don't know if anyone's happy " he said.

Bollinger Inc., former health insurance provider for OU graduate students, informed OU officials Winter Quarter it would raise premium rates for the 2001-02 academic year, said Jacki Legg, business manager for Student Health Services.

Bollinger officials said they were increasing rates because they were paying out more for claims than taking in on premiums, Legg said.

OU officials decided to re-bid the insurance contract three years before the standard five-year period ended, she said. OU re-bids insurance providers every five years to stay competitive with prices and services.

"My focus is to pay attention to student pocketbooks," Legg said. "And to maintain a simple plan for students."

OU's new provider, Columbus-based insurance firm Acordia, presented plans similar to Bollinger's, but at a lower cost, Legg said.

Legg requested bidding companies derive a two-option insurance plan to give more flexibility to students.

Acordia's Plan 1 costs $490 a year per student and Plan 2 costs $648 a year per student, Legg said. Bollinger proposed raising premium rates to $605 for Plan 1 and $750 for Plan 2.

In Acordia's Plan 1, the company covers 80 percent of each bill up to $5,000 after a $25 deductible, Legg said. All graduate students are automatically billed on this option unless they choose to upgrade to Plan 2.

Plan 2 differs because students receive full coverage on bills up to $5,000 after the deductible.

International students are required to sign up for Plan 2 because most are familiar with nationalized healthcare and are better suited to the plan, Legg said.

Bleyle's main concern with the new insurance carrier is the lack of options.

"We still can’t get vision ... and you don't have many payment options," he said.

Bleyle also said the health options at Hudson Health Center are limited.

"If you go to Hudson and they can’t help you, you get referred and have to start paying," he said. "Plus, you can't get a physical (examination) unless you're in a special program."

Bleyle said he plans to form a standing GSS committee or one in conjunction with OU Student Senate to address concerns about Hudson Health Center.

Robert Lorenzo, a graduate student from Venezuela, is currently on Plan 2, and feels the university should not require international students to be on Plan 2.

"It's quite a bit of my budget," he said. "After general fees and insurance, there's not much to live on."

Lorenzo said he showed proof of insurance before moving to Athens, but the university would not accept his coverage.

"If students can show proof of insurance, they shouldn't require international students to be on the plan," he said. "That is unfair."