WSU to cover insurance hikes for some grad students [Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho]

April 19--Members of Washington State University'sCounseling and Student Health Advisory Committee said they were surprised, but happy, when the school agreed this week to cover next year's increase in health insurance premiums for graduate students on assistantships.

"We were told from everyone that deals with WSU budgets that the money wasn't there to be allocated for this purpose," graduate student and CSHAC member Cortney Hoch said Wednesday. "But apparently they found it somewhere. ... I'm very surprised, but excited at the same time."

The increase in insurance rates comes as the result of inflation, as well as changes mandated through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Hoch said WSU will use about $500,000 in unrestricted local funds to cover next year's $284 increase for each graduate student on an assistantship at the university. Though the amount saved per person may seem small, Hoch said any aid is appreciated by students who may be struggling financially.

"There are a lot of grad students out there that are currently just making it by," she said. "To have an extra $300 or so per year taken out of their paycheck would have been detrimental to them -- like do they eat or not."

Hoch said the university's decision to cover the added cost likely will have a positive effect on graduate student recruitment as well.

"It puts a good light on WSU's graduate program," she said. "If the university is willing to fork over that extra money then they actually do care about education and wanting graduate students to succeed."

Pat Sturko, a CSHAC member and associate dean of WSU's Graduate School, agreed that it is important to maintain a strong benefit package in order to attract and retain graduate students. She applauded President Elson Floyd's decision to approve CSHAC's suggestion to cover the increase in health insurance costs.

"This really demonstrates that, in spite of the financial situation of the university, ... the administration does hear us when we make recommendations," she said, adding that CSHAC should take the opportunity to work ahead to address health insurance increases that likely will be realized in the future.

"Insurance will always be a pressing issue," Sturko said. "Each year we have to face rising costs. ... This doesn't solve those issues, but it gives us more time."

According to WSU, the university is planning to seek funding in its 2013-15 biennial budget to cover cost increases for graduate student insurance.

New day

WSU spokesman Darin Watkins said administrators likely found a way to cover the insurance hike after the Washington Legislature passed a supplemental budget this month that did not include any cuts to the university.

For the past several years, WSU employees have dealt with the effects of continued cuts from the state, so when Washington's most recent budget was passed Watkins said it removed "air of uncertainty" that had been lingering on campus.

"It really feels like we're able to get back to the business of being a university," he said. "Yes, we still have a lot less money to deal with than before, (but) institutional decisions can now be made that really do help us move the university forward."

Coverage

According to Bruce Wright, executive director of WSU Health and Wellness Services, the Graduate Student Assistant Medical & Dental Insurance Plan also offers benefits that are not mandated, including vision and dental coverage. The coverage is meant for graduate student assistants who are paying tuition and fees for 10 or more credit hours; who have an assistantship stipend of at least 50 percent; and who are eligible for a qualified tuition reduction or a tuition fee waiver. In addition, full-time graduate research fellows or trainees who are paid a stipend of at least $800 per month; who are engaged in research similar to that of a research assistant; and who are eligible for a qualified tuition reduction or a tuition fee waiver are eligible. Spouses, domestic partners and children also may be enrolled at the graduate student's request.

According to WSU, premium rates are paid by the university for the covered student. For the spring and summer of 2012, the rate is set at $2,794 for spouses or domestic partners and $995 for children.

The medical portion of the plan is underwritten by the National Union Fire Insurance Company out of Pittsburgh, Pa., while dental coverage was underwritten by Washington Dental Service. Each insured person will receive an I.D. card from Maksin Management Corp.

The university also offers a regular student insurance plan according to officials, who say about half of the enrollees in that plan are international students who are required to purchase insurance when they study in the U.S. Domestic undergraduate students also may purchase coverage through the plan, but most students retain coverage under their parents' health care plans instead.

Premiums in the regular plan are expected to rise $300 per year in the next academic year.

Katie Roenigk can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 301, or by email to [email protected].

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(c)2012 the Moscow-Pullman Daily News (Moscow, Idaho)

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