Spring Break
Graduates' Wild Hunt for Health Insurance
Black College Wire
By Senae Hall
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Health
|
She is not alone, as a number of recent graduates find it hard obtaining insurance after being taken care of from their parents/guardians or college while in school.
"Finding insurance after leaving Dillard is not easy. You are no longer on your parents' insurance and you can't use Dillard's (insurance) anymore," says Chantell Garrett, a 2007 graduate of Dillard University.
Upon enrolling, Dillard University students are provided insurance under Koster Insurance Agency. The price given to the school adjusts often. This year the amount was $460. If students don't want to use this coverage, they must show proof of another type of insurance. Therefore, every student at Dillard University is covered with some sort of insurance whether it is through the school or a different plan.
"Most students who decide to use their personal insurance are covered here in New Orleans. However, some out of state insurances are delayed when responding to a medical request, causing students to have to wait on medicine or surgeries," said Nurse Adrienne Gill, Dillard University's on campus nurse.
Students who plan to continue education through graduate school and are on their parents' insurance are likely to have a longer time frame before they have to go through the process of getting insurance on their own. However, students who are considering going from college directly in the work force have less time to search for the right coverage.
According to Thomas Anderson of Kiplinger's magazine, "Many insurance companies drop dependents from their parents' policies once they prove to have their own income. Others limit a child's coverage to a specific age, usually 22-25.
Some insurance companies offer a student health-insurance policy. A student policy is an affordable way to fill the gap between the times the student graduates and the time they qualify for insurance with their job. However, student health plans are only available to full-time students under the age of 30. Assurant Health is the largest provider of student health plans. Any student interested in applying to Assurant Health Insurance must apply 31days before their college graduation date. Like other insurance agencies, there are stipulations and qualifying conditions.
Be the first to comment on this story