It is very useful for student health plans, Why? the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed a regulation that would require student health insurance plans offered by colleges and universities to meet essentially the same standards of protection as outlined in the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act.
Do you want to know about this news of Student health plans ? you have to continue for reading the below articles.
When Congress passed landmark health care reform last year, at least one coverage plan was left out of the law — insurance programs geared solely to college students.
Now the federal government seems intent on plugging that hole.
A favorable decision would provide greater protection starting next year for the 3 million college students who are covered under these policies. But there would likely be tradeoffs in the form of higher prices.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed a regulation that would require student health insurance plans offered by colleges and universities to meet essentially the same standards of protection as outlined in the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. Student plans were originally exempt from the sweeping law because they covered such a specific niche of the population for relatively short periods, health care experts said.
The proposal would change three key coverage areas of student plans and also clarify certain insurance terms and conditions.
Under the proposed regulations, which would be phased in starting Jan. 1, college-sponsored plans could not:
•Exclude students under age 19 based on pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or attention deficit disorders.
•Drop coverage because a student got sick. It would also prevent students from being penalized for unintentional mistakes on insurance applications, such as forgetting to note recent doctor visits or illnesses, said Keith Mendonsa, consumer health insurance expert with eHealthInsurance.com, an online resource for policy and coverage information.
•Impose higher annual or lifetime caps on benefits. Annual caps would have to be at least $100,000 for plans begun before September 2012, and no less than $2 million thereafter. Many student plans have much lower benefit limits.
“The objective of the government is to equalize how people are treated in the new world” of health care, said John Desser, vice president of public policy for eHealthInsurance.com.
The vast majority of college students today turn to a parent’s employer-provided health care plan if they need medical attention, or they purchase individual policies. But more than 1,500 colleges and universities contract with insurers to offer health plans that frequently offer reduced coverage and benefits but at more affordable prices.
Some insurers say the regulatory reforms, if approved, could drive up costs and jeopardize some schools’ ability to offer health insurance.
That will be weighed by the Health and Human Services Department, which is taking public comments on the proposed changes until April 12. A final decision could be issued later this year.
Regardless of the outcome, students and parents should keep a sharp eye on their college-sponsored coverage options. While a 2009 study found that up to 30 percent of these health plans had “poor” benefits, the quality of many plans can be quite good for the money. For student consumers, the “bottom line is to know what you are buying,” said Mendonsa.
New American Century resource
American Century Investments has expanded its Yes, You Can brand of educational products to include a new Web resource for high school students. The MoneyClips eNews Center provides financial news, saving and spending calculators, and other educational content. The site is also geared to helping young student-newspaper journalists understand developments in business and the economy. Check it out at www.yesyoucanonline.info/moneyclips.
To reach Steve Rosen, call 816-234-4879 or send e-mail to srosen@kcstar.com.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/18/2666234/student-health-plans-wont-escape.html#ixzz1EXpzTI7e
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