PULLMAN, Wash. Washington State University students enrolling in the WSU health insurance plans next year will see an increase in benefits, improvement in customer service and a decrease in premiums thanks to a handful of dedicated students who spent the last year working toward this goal.
These students were members of the WSU Counseling and Student Health Advisory Committee (CSHAC), a group that meets monthly to review health and counseling services available to WSU students. CSHAC has both graduate and undergraduate student members including representatives from International Student Programs, the Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Associated Students of WSU. Administrative representatives from Health and Wellness Services, Counseling and Testing Services, Business and Finance, International Programs and the Graduate School are also CSHAC members. Every year the group reviews both the graduate student assistant and the regular student medical insurance plans and offers suggestions for changes.
“We seek input from the students,” said Donna Hash, administrative manager at Health and Wellness Services. “As a group, CSHAC wants to hear what students think about current plan benefits and get feedback on what they would like to see changed. Students involved in CSHAC reach out to the different communities on campus and bring us valuable information on what we can due to improve student coverage.”
Feedback from students enrolled in the plans indicated the students wanted lower premiums and better coverage, and that’s what they’re getting. Changes to the graduate student assistant and regular student plans for next year include:
Premium decrease from $1,315 to $1,262 annually for the regular plan.
Premium decrease from $1,505 to $1,456 annually for the graduate student assistant medical/dental plan.
Maximum benefits increase from $200,000 lifetime to $200,000 annual.
Increase ambulance benefits from $5,000 to $10,000.
Increase repatriation and medical evacuation to $250,000.
A wellness benefit of up to $150 for routine office exams and labs not subject to deductable.
Additional second cleaning per year for the graduate student assistant dental plan.
Students enrolled in either plan can also look forward to improved customer service, including enhanced telephone access to the insurance provider and faster processing of claims.
“Because of dedicated student participation and strong student leadership on CSHAC, this year we were able to effectively address specific student interests and concerns,” Hash said. “This demonstrates even a small number of students involved can have a very positive impact.”
Related Links:
WSU Student Medical Insurance , www.hws.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=2453
Counseling & Student Health Advisory Committee, www.hws.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=2817
