[In these minutes: Student Health Insurance]
ACADEMIC HEALTH
CENTER STUDENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (AHC SCC) MINUTES
WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 13, 2004
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
488 CHILD REHAB
CENTER
[These minutes reflect discussion and debate at a meeting of a
committee of the University of Minnesota Senate or Twin Cities Campus Assembly;
none of the comments, conclusions, or actions reported in these minutes
represent the view of, nor are they binding on the Senate or Assembly, the
Administration, or the Board of Regents.]
PRESENT: Mark Wiisanen,
Chair (Medical School – 4th Year), Rebecca Floyd (Dental
Hygiene), Beth Hagen (Duluth Pharmacy), Stephanie Hvinden (Nursing), Jeremy
Olsen (Medical School – 3rd Year), Jeff Pinnow (Duluth School
of Medicine), Wendy Rufledt (Occupational Therapy), Kristen Thorstenson (Medical
School – 2nd Year), Sarah Walker (Physical Therapy), Amy Walsh
(Medical Technology).
REGRETS: Anna Abt (Public Health), Alisa
Madson (Dentistry), Julie Nitz (Mortuary Science), Katherine Peterson
(Veterinary Medicine).
GUESTS: Barbara Brandt, Sue Jackson, Duncan
Okello.
1. DISCUSSION OF STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE
Barbara
Brandt said that student access to health insurance from all places has been an
issue in the AHC for three years. She would like to hear student comments to
the proposal, which will be relayed to the Dean’s Council.
Sue
Jackson, from Boynton Health Services, said that the proposals being presented
today are to address AHC needs that were identified after meeting with many
groups and discovering what is lacking. The University mandates that students
carrying six credits per semester in a degree program need to have outside
coverage or pay for student health insurance. These guidelines set-up the group
which is eligible and are definite so that students cannot just join when they
are sick.
The AHC itself has some unique problems. One is that Rochester
Nursing students take some web-based courses which do not count towards the
minimum eligibility, which forces them to use free clinics or get other
insurance. Students in certificate programs and the Rural Physician Program
might also not be eligible.
The proposal being presented today will
address needs for pharmacy benefits, preventive care, out-of-area coverage,
access to care at Boynton, eligibility criteria, and coverage for Duluth
students. Funding for the proposal is tied to a student fee, which provides 100
percent coverage at Boynton and 80/20 coverage through Blue Cross/Blue Shield at
other locations. Preventive care will also be covered at 100 percent, except
for medication and mental health services.
The change with this plan is
that all students will be required to pay for coverage unless they provide
written proof that they are covered by an employer plan or by the Graduate
Assistant plan. Once proof of another plan is provided, a two-year waiver will
be issued. Students will have 30 days to sign-up for the plan, or will need to
wait for the next open enrollment period. Student enrollment will also be
monitored so that people do not register for classes, get the insurance, have a
procedure, and then drop classes. She said that the proposed costs are based on
projections, but future costs will be based on actual claims experience
data.
Q: What happens if a good student gets sick and needs to leave the
University for a period?
A: The University will check the students record
to make sure that they are enrolled in a degree program. One-term exemptions
can be granted, but there is less risk with AHC students than with
undergraduates.
Sue Jackson then addressed the current prescription
benefit, which is self-funded through the Boynton pharmacy. The most common
medications are included on the drug formulary. There is a maximum benefit, but
only 72 students hit the limit last year.
Under the proposed Option 1,
preventive care will be covered at 80 percent up to $500 with immunizations
covered 100 percent when done at Boynton. Incoming students will be provided
with an immunization window before classes start. The proposal will provide an
enhanced pharmacy option. Boynton will still be an outlet for prescriptions,
but the mailing service is being reviewed. Prescriptions can also be filled
through Blue Cross/Blue Shield with higher co-pays and no limits. The Option
will not have an out-of-pocket maximum.
Q: Will students be notified that
there prescription is for a non-formulary drug before it is filled?
A:
Students will be informed before the prescription is filled, and they can call
prior to arriving at the pharmacy.
Sue Jackson then turned to Option 2,
which she said resembles the medical resident plans. The plan does have a
deductible but preventive care is covered at 100 percent up to $500. There is a
lower overall out-of-pocket maximum, a limit on all prescription co-pays and a
$500 out-of-pocket prescription maximum.
When these options were
discussed with Blue Cross/Blue Shield actuarial, it was determined that costs
would be 20 percent more if Boynton was not the primary service provider.
Therefore, the rate for Option 2 was set at 20 percent less than the medical
resident rate. For students who pay for spring coverage, they will also receive
coverage in the summer, thereby being able to be insured 12 months a year.
The current cost is $103/month. Option 1 will cost $122/month and
Option 2 will cost $165/month. Dependent care and worldwide coverage will be a
good value in either option. These lower costs are because Boynton has been
able to keep increases at four to eight percent in the past few years when other
providers have seen double-digit increases.
Barbara Brandt said that
these plans are a priority for the AHC since its students are at a greater risk
because of the work they do, such as rotations. Duluth AHC students have been
included in the proposal since this proposal will provide better service at a
lower cost.
Q: Will there be a clinic in Duluth?
A: Office visits
will be covered at 100 percent in Duluth. While there is no pharmacy on
location, Duluth students can choose to use Boynton mail service or pay higher
co-pays with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Q: Will student loans be increased
to cover the higher insurance cost?
A: Yes.
A committee member
said that it will be hard to sell Option 2 to a healthy population.
Q: Is
the University considering offering dental insurance to AHC students?
A:
Any student who pays the student service fee can come to Boynton and receive a
40 percent discount. If dental insurance was offered, it would cost $20/month.
In an upcoming Boynton survey, a question will be included asking if students
would want to pay $6-7 more per month for some form of dental
insurance.
Q: Could students elect to include dental insurance?
A:
An election option would be too costly since more students have pre-existing
conditions.
Barbara Brandt said that these options will be discussed by
the dean’s council in the next few weeks with a decision made in early
November so coverage can be guaranteed for next year.
2. FURTHER
DISCUSSION OF WEB PORTAL
Matthew Wiisanen said that this item would
be on the November agenda for further discussion. He encouraged members to get
more feedback from other students as to ways to personalize templates and
resources.
3. OTHER 2004-05 AGENDA ITEMS
Matthew Wiisanen
reminded members of the influenza vaccine shortage and rationing. A members
said that the University will likely not be receiving any vaccine for this year.
The nasal spray will be available, but is not recommended for health care
workers. An influenza awareness campaign is being planned.
A member then
noted that the main AHC SCC page is hard to find, and a link to it should be
provided on the main AHC website. Barbara Brandt said that she would address
this issue.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
With no other business,
Matthew Wiisanen thanked the members for attending and adjourned the
meeting.
Becky Hippert
University Senate