Student Health Insurance Plans

Trustees pass health care plan

“I personally don’t agree with it just because smoking is not illegal,” she said. “Until it is, I don’t think you should be able to charge someone.”

The audit and insurance committee, however, approved the employee health care plan that includes a surcharge for tobacco users.

Smokers have to pay $250 in 2012 and $500 in 2013 on top of their insurance premium. This charge will be deducted from their payrolls through the course of the year.

Purdue benefits manager Becky Gutwein said the University implemented this surcharge because it is expensive to insure smokers.

Gutwein said it costs the University $1,700 more to insure a smoker than a non-smoker.

Trustee Michael Birck said almost every company has a surcharge in the insurance premiums of smoking employees because it’s expensive to insure habitual smokers.

Other trustees confirmed Birck’s statement and Trustee Michael Berghoff joked that the only place for smoking in a business was on the golf course.

Gutwein said employees will have to indicate on an online system on a certification page that they have not used tobacco in the last 12 months.

She also said the University has “no intention to police” employees and that the surcharge is on an honor system.

According to Gutwein, if employees are caught being dishonest in their insurance policies, they will be subject to disciplinary action, which could go as far as termination.

“We will not be testing employees,” Gutwein said. “We are hoping that the honor system is all we have to do.”

Employees also have the choice to enter a tobacco cessation program. If they choose to enroll in the program, they will get the surcharge waived.

“We’re encouraging them to take the program,” Gutwein said, “and take, hopefully many steps, but at least the first step to quitting.”

As a part of the new health care initiative, the University is working on having an on-site primary care facility. This facility would feature a pharmacy, nutrition specialist and nurse practitioners.

Student health plan handles bumps and bruises

Staff Writer

Eastern and Rockwood Clinic work together to offer a health plan for full-time students, included in the cost of tuition.

For the 2011-2012 health coverage rates, click  here .

Eastern’s student health plan hopes to provide for both the physical and psychological health of its students.

“It’s not a Cadillac policy, … but it’s not that bad,” Michelle Pingree, Health, Wellness and Prevention Services director, said.

Carol Gahl, the student health coordinator and a certified physician assistant at Rockwood, feels the same way. “It takes care of the small [stuff] so it doesn’t turn into big stuff,” she said.

The plan is available to all students registered for six or more credits.

To receive medical services at any of the Spokane or Cheney Rockwood Clinics, just show your student identification card.

The student health plan covers the basics: common illnesses, minor injuries and procedures, mental health treatment, and certain STD checks.

Compared to other Washington state universities, “we seem to be in the top rankings for what we offer,” Gahl said.

However, there are limitations to the student plan. Prescriptions, including birth control, are not covered.

Many of the major retailers offer a discount prescription package that may help with the cost of medications.

The Health, Wellness and Prevention Services office, located in the URC, offers certain contraceptives and condoms to all students for free.

“It’s cheaper than raising a child,” Pingree said.

Comprehensive physicals, major treatments, emergency room visits, surgery and HIV testing are  not covered.

The Spokane Regional Health District offers a $30 STD screen that includes HIV testing to EWU students who present their student ID.

Rockwood offers the services not covered by the student health plan, but charges the student.

William Adams, an EWU senior, twisted his ankle and needed crutches. He received the bill eight months later and was surprised. “They didn’t tell me it would cost,” Adams said.

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