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Does your college student have health insurance?

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By Kristin McAllister, Staff Writer 8:56 AM Friday, September 4, 2009

Colleges and universities across the country increasingly are mandating that students have health insurance, or either be dismissed or automatically enrolled in a plan through registration.

It’s a practice that’s been in place for years at five local colleges and universities — Wilberforce, Central and Wright State universities, the University of Dayton and Kettering College of Medical Arts.

Officials with those schools say that some form of monitoring or enforcement of whether students have health insurance is needed for three main reasons: Students are likely to become ill or injured while at school; it’s the philosophical responsibility of an educational institution to make certain students don’t jeopardize their education by missing classes as a result of not seeing a doctor; and lastly, there’s a growing concern about pandemic potential illnesses, such as the H1N1 Swine Flu.

According to a 2008 Government Accountability Office report, an estimated 1.7 million college students lack health insurance coverage.

Officials with the five area colleges and universities said another reason for mandatory health plans is that the more students to enroll, the cheaper the rate.

“The institution can work out a better deal with its provider,” said Steven Mueller, University of Dayton assistant vice president for health and wellness.

Plans among the local institutions range in offerings and costs, with the average cost at $695. For uninsured students who cannot afford a school’s plan, officials handle things on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re not going to just kick them out,” said Leatha Ross, Wright State director of student health services. “We’re going to work with them.”

At Central State University, students are automatically entered into a health plan upon enrollment, regardless of whether they’re already insured.

“It’s built right into the tuition fees,” said Fran Robinson, university spokeswoman. “Students cannot opt out.”

Wright State University and the University of Dayton both require resident students to have health insurance, but also permit those students to be covered under their parent or employer’s plan.

At WSU, Ross said students may purchase a plan through the university, and verification of coverage is checked quarterly.

UD students are expected to be on a health plan, but the university does not require proof of health insurance, Mueller said. He said the school does, however, routinely issue reminders to students to enroll in a plan.

The university in the past year has bumped up efforts to encourage students to obtain health insurance, particularly because the university’s plan is “relatively inexpensive,” he said.

“It’s designed for what we think is appropriate for our needs at UD,” Mueller said.

And while commuter students are not required to be on a health plan, many sign up, said Ross with WSU.

“It’s relatively affordable, or some buy it to compliment their existing plan,” she said.

Things are slightly different at Wilberforce University, said Tijuana Hudson, vice president of administrative and financial affairs.

Students there are automatically charged for the university’s health insurance, but also may obtain an outside plan, she said.

Only Kettering College of Medical Arts dismisses students who fail to obtain and maintain health insurance, said Mindy Claggett, college spokeswoman.

“But, of course, it’s because our students are in clinics, and they’re exposed to a lot,” she said. “Virtually all students are in a clinical situation during their stay here.”

And like the other colleges and universities, Kettering College of Medical Arts provides health insurance referral information to students not under a plan.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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