The University of Seattle recently announced that from the fall of 2022, health insurance through the university will no longer be mandatory nor will it be provided for domestic students. Domestic students currently attending Seattle U will retain full coverage until the summer of 2022.
Prior to this announcement, student insurance was mandatory and was automatically charged full-time, part-time, Full-time equivalence, postgraduate, domestic and international students. The program was designated as an “opt-out” program, where students could seek an exemption if they have comparable health insurance active in the state of Washington.
Seattle U works with JCB insurance solutions for the purpose of health insurance of students through Aetna. During the 2021-2022 school year, the cost per student was $ 2,346. This premium health insurance was the only option for students who did not check out.
Vice-rector and dean for students James Willett, who published an email for the entire school on May 16, noted that the decision was difficult to make. Several factors that influenced this decision included the number of students enrolling in insurance plans, the growing opportunities for cheap health insurance, other health resources available to students in the field, and the price of premiums for next year.
Villette noted that “Unfortunately, due to the high utilization, the student health insurance premium for next year would be expensive for many of our students.”
Olivia Newcomb, a second-year design student, spoke about the benefits of insurance in Seattle through school. Many Seattle students agree that while insurance was expensive, the benefits it provided created a buffer of security for students, especially those attending school in another state.
“Although it was expensive, it was good as an option. “I think it is useful for possible emergencies on campus, such as alcohol poisoning or something similar, but it should not be a condition,” Nevcomb said. “I think that health insurance should have been changed to optional, but not completely abolished in order to give students the opportunity to have it if they need or want it.
She also pointed out the financial difficulties due to the high insurance costs for some students.
“It hinders and helps students. “It was convenient for students seeking health insurance, but it could be difficult for students who could not afford those additional costs,” Nevcomb said.
The new insurance policy includes different conditions for domestic and foreign students.
Willett explained the reasons for continuing the request from international students to enroll in the insurance program through Seattle U.
“International and undocumented students cannot enroll in open market health insurance plans,” Villette said.
Naomi Iota, a fourth-year international student majoring in international business, expressed concern about the effect on domestic students.
“It is a little worrying, considering that many students at the faculties have minimal knowledge about the importance of insurance and how it works. The least they should have is guaranteed care in the schools they attend. It’s a little unfair if the option isn’t even given. Other students who have parents who have health insurance are lucky, but not everyone has this luxury. ”
On the other hand, there were clear factors in compulsory insurance that discouraged students.
“It’s definitely much more expensive than other health insurance provided by other schools such as the University of Washington or Bellevue College,” Iota said.
The Seattle campus has undergone several major changes in health services over the past year, including the addition of TimeliCareA 24/7 telehealth service with which Seattle U recently partnered.
Villette explained that the change in the insurance policy is not related to other developments in health care on campus. Nevertheless, Seattle U wants to continue to support and encourage students in accessing the health benefits available to them.
“We hope that students will use TimeliCare to meet many of their health care needs. “We remain committed to promoting health and good health and improving access to health care for all our students,” said Villette.
Erin Vernon, an associate professor of economics at Seattle U, noted some of the financial hurdles that can prevent young people from providing their own insurance.
“Given the national penalty for not removing insurance as part of the 2018 tax plan and insurance rates rising at twice the rate of inflation, especially younger people choose to risk remaining uninsured,” Vernon said. “Younger groups often do not need the same level of health care as older demographic groups and are more often financially constrained.
While Vernon expressed her understanding of the university’s decision, she also conveyed concerns about previous student insurance as a result of the optional shift.
“I am worried that students will not take the time without the university’s request to buy one of the options available to them. “I encourage those without insurance to apply for one of the plans on the insurance exchange in Washington, because the risk of being left without health insurance can be catastrophic,” Vernon said.
Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives for students to enroll in health insurance in Washington. This expansion of insurance options is one of the main reasons why Seattle U decided to abolish the mandatory coverage provided by the school.
Vernon explained many alternative options that have recently developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state of Washington became the first in the country to offer a public option plan known as Cascade Care. Through this plan, students have more health insurance options and can be reimbursed through federal subsidies depending on their income levels. For students who can’t afford those plans, other options are available, such as Washington’s Medicaid program or Apple Health.
“Students in Seattle who dropped out of this plan will not be without affordable insurance options, which is most likely a major factor in this decision,” Vernon said.
Villette also mentioned new alternatives to health insurance.
“The original goal of the health insurance conditions and the school-sponsored plan was to provide an affordable, comprehensive health plan that would provide access to health services for students. There are now many more health insurance options through Healthcare.gov, Apple Health and other programs that did not exist when the original policy was first created. ”
Although there are now various options for health insurance in the state of Washington, the enrollment process can still be confusing.
Villette pointed out several resources that the university has created in an effort to help and encourage students to research and enroll in alternative health insurance.
“We understand that moving through the process of enrolling in health insurance can be a daunting task, so we have created a page with resources on www.seattleu.edu/wellness/insurance to help students explore available options and learn more about how to enroll, ”said Villette.
The Student Health Center and on-campus counseling and psychological services will continue to provide free and low-cost health services through Seattle U. Timely care is an open resource for students.
If students are interested in learning more about healthcare options, they can schedule a consultation meeting with Wellness and Health Promotion staff here.