2008 Woodie Awards
Some students are without insurance
By: Meredith Mayberry
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Every day, students walk into Foust Hall University Health Services without health insurance.
Tests are run, medication is prescribed and a bill is drawn up.
Then what?
"College-aged people are basically healthy and decide to take the risk of not having health insurance," said Debra Williamson, information systems coordinator at University Health Services.
About 10 percent of the students who seek medical attention have no insurance. However, Williamson thinks the actual percentage probably is higher.
"The 10 percent are the people who make appointments," she said. "You have to wonder how many students without health insurance avoid health care altogether."
Many students still are on their parent's health insurance plans.
Lapeer sophomore Mary Mattson will remain on her parent's plan until she graduates college or turns 25.
"Having no insurance is a scary thought," Mattson said. "It's better to be safe than sorry."
Jared Maul also is glad he has insurance.
The Wheeler senior recalled having a case of mono and being in a hospital for days.
"Without my insurance, I don't know if I could have come back to school," he said.
The cost of an average doctor's appointment at Foust Hall is $70, Williamson said.
"Say the doctor wants to run some lab work, there's an extra cost with each test, plus the cost of prescribed medication," she said.
Still, some students are not afraid of going without insurance.
"A lot of the time, you just ignore it when you have to go to the doctor because you're so young," said Matt Jeroue, Rochester senior.
Students who are not covered by their parents' plans still have options. Payments can be placed on the student's university account.
"If the student doesn't want to pay while they're at their appointment, putting it on their account can give them four to seven weeks to come up with the money," Williamson said.
CMU Heath Services sponsors an insurance plan for students.
"Parents love this plan," Williamson said. "Parents' deductibles can be higher on their original plan than if they purchased United Heath Care's plan for their student."
The plan is offered by the Student Insurance Division of the United Health Care Insurance Company. Only CMU students, their spouses and dependents are eligible to purchase the plan.
news@cm-life.com
Tests are run, medication is prescribed and a bill is drawn up.
Then what?
"College-aged people are basically healthy and decide to take the risk of not having health insurance," said Debra Williamson, information systems coordinator at University Health Services.
About 10 percent of the students who seek medical attention have no insurance. However, Williamson thinks the actual percentage probably is higher.
"The 10 percent are the people who make appointments," she said. "You have to wonder how many students without health insurance avoid health care altogether."
Many students still are on their parent's health insurance plans.
Lapeer sophomore Mary Mattson will remain on her parent's plan until she graduates college or turns 25.
"Having no insurance is a scary thought," Mattson said. "It's better to be safe than sorry."
Jared Maul also is glad he has insurance.
The Wheeler senior recalled having a case of mono and being in a hospital for days.
"Without my insurance, I don't know if I could have come back to school," he said.
The cost of an average doctor's appointment at Foust Hall is $70, Williamson said.
"Say the doctor wants to run some lab work, there's an extra cost with each test, plus the cost of prescribed medication," she said.
Still, some students are not afraid of going without insurance.
"A lot of the time, you just ignore it when you have to go to the doctor because you're so young," said Matt Jeroue, Rochester senior.
Students who are not covered by their parents' plans still have options. Payments can be placed on the student's university account.
"If the student doesn't want to pay while they're at their appointment, putting it on their account can give them four to seven weeks to come up with the money," Williamson said.
CMU Heath Services sponsors an insurance plan for students.
"Parents love this plan," Williamson said. "Parents' deductibles can be higher on their original plan than if they purchased United Heath Care's plan for their student."
The plan is offered by the Student Insurance Division of the United Health Care Insurance Company. Only CMU students, their spouses and dependents are eligible to purchase the plan.
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Daniel Sturgeon
posted 11/26/07 @ 11:51 AM EST
"College-aged people are basically healthy and decide to take the risk of not having health insurance"
It sounds as though this person thinks that the people who don't have insurance are doing it just to save a buck. (Continued…)
Nick Smith
posted 11/26/07 @ 9:27 PM EST
You never realize how valuable it is to be insured until you're not. I personally had had full coverage under my Dad until graduation, then I went without after graduation until I qualified for my newspaper's health insurance just this month. (Continued…)
Melanie Storm
posted 11/26/07 @ 9:31 PM EST
I agree with the previous poster - Daniel Sturgeon. I think it would be beneficial for the author as well as anyone else who thinks people without insurance are lazy, wreckless, or are simply choosing not to get insurance, to go to their local blockbuster and rent Micheal Moore's documentary "Sicko". (Continued…)
Post a Comment