Healthcare options available for students who are uninsured
By Amanda Stegall
[email protected]
Assistant Editor
Students who arrive in class with a runny nose and hacking cough are not an uncommon sight at GHC. Many students are unable to obtain health insurance and cannot receive medical treatment. However, there are several options for uninsured students.
According to Todd Jones, director of admissions, �Students who attend a college or university that is a part of the University System of Georgia have the option to receive health insurance through the college.�
�The Board of Regents has signed a contract with the University System of Georgia that gives students two options for health insurance,� stated Jones. �The plan went into effect fall 2006 and Pearce & Pearce is the company that won the bid.�
Jones explained that the two types of coverage include mandatory and voluntary plans.
�The mandatory plan is for nursing, dental hygiene and F1 international students,� stated Jones. However, a student can waive the cost billed to his or her account by proving that they have adequate insurance.
The voluntary plan provided through GHC is available to all students. Students can also enroll family members in a health insurance plan. Academic requirements are that the student is enrolled for six hours.
An informative brochure with detailed explanations of the health insurance provided by GHC can be found in the Admissions Office on the Floyd campus.
If students do not wish to receive the insurance provided by the University System, other options are available.
State Farm Insurance offers a Short-Term Medical plan as well as a Student Select health care plan for individuals. Bobbie Hand, a State Farm representative in Lindale, said, �The Short-Term Medical plan is offered for six months or 12 months. The six-month plan can be extended, however, and costs less than the 12 month plan.�
�The Student Select plan,� Hand explained, �can be kept as long as the individual is a full-time student. Price depends on the student's age and physical well-being.�
One of the major insurance providers in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, also has health plans that individuals can apply for. According to Bob Babcock from the Babcock Insurance Agency, �Blue Cross Blue Shield has instituted a new policy called Tonik that is targeted towards people between the ages of 19 and 34.
The Tonik policy is for the 'young invincibles' who have been taken off of their parents' health insurance for various reasons and need insurance of their own.� Through the Tonik plan an individual may apply for short-term policies that can last from three to six months. This plan has been designed to help students who are enrolled full-time to have insurance between the time of graduation and applying for insurance through his/her employer. More information about Blue Cross Blue Shield policies can be found on its website at www.bcbsga.com.
Although affordable health-care is difficult to find, several family practices offer a reasonable price for an office visit.
In Rome, Affordable Health Care, with Dr. Eric Taylor, M.D., offers a healthcare membership for individuals. A patient can walk into the office for a $50 fee or join a membership that provides unlimited office visits, one free set of x-rays and many other medical treatments for $600 per year if paid in full, or $660 if financed through a checking account or credit card. For more information on the Affordable Health Care practice call (706) 802-1322.
�I can't imagine not having health insurance. Medical care is so expensive now,� stated Nick Smith, a biology major from Rome.
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