$212 was added to the annual premium rate for student health insurance at Wright State, according to Student Health Services.
Since 2010, The Affordable Care Act has presented new mandates for insurance companies to abide by. Nationwide, insurance policies were being changed, including student health plans.
Since then, new mandates such as immunization and preventative care have been added to college and university health care, according to Health and Human Services.
One of the new mandates included this year was the increased maximum benefit of $500,000 for students, which is also applicable to Wright State’s health care plan. These new mandates caused the insurance companies to increase their rates.
“[It] will make students more apt to use what they’re paying for,” said second-year WSU medical student Tiffany Bradley. “There’s a tendency of not using the health services when you know you need to."
Student Health Services Director Leatha Ross said the rate increase is an overall addition of fees from insurance companies. Currently, the annual coverage for Wright State students is $1,550 compared to the rate of $1,338 last year.
Some students said it would be harder to focus on their degree because they will have to find ways to pay for the increased rates.
“It’s more of burden to students who probably won’t use the extra care,” said WSU graduate student Angela James. “There should be a way to opt out of it.”
Through Wright State’s primary insurance company, United Healthcare, this year students will be able to get covered for 80% coinsurance with up to a 90-day supply.
With the Fall Semester fast approaching, Ross said she wanted students to keep their health in mind.
“If a student forgoes their healthcare, whether physical or mental, it’s a barrier in completing their degree,” Ross said. “Our purpose is to make sure the students reach their goals.”
