Formerly outraged students at Brigham Young University have been calling university officials to thank them for responding to their concerns and to apologize for outbursts.
That's because the university has announced it is providing a significant insurance subsidy to students most affected by a recent large increase in insurance costs announced.The subsidy will go only to students who have a pre-existing condition, who would not qualify for another health plan, who have been treated under the BYU health plan for that condition and who are up to date on their premiums.
Essentially, that means pregnant students (or those with pregnant wives) and those with some sort of chronic condition will qualify.
The subsidy will be available throughout the school year, but students have until Sept. 17 to apply.
The whole issue started when the campus newspaper found out about the increase in insurance costs for married students and wrote a scathing editorial. Complaints followed.
But the President's Council quickly took action on student proposals, saying it would try to help those with pre-existing conditions. Last Thursday, it announced the adjustments.
BYU Health Center Managing Director Clyde Sullivan said the response by students has been positive, and many students who had complained called back to say thank you.
The subsidies will come from set-aside contingency funds, said university spokesman Paul Richards.
"The students were thorough and presented reasonable proposals, and while it will cost the university more than we would like, we want to recognize that effort," R. J. Snow, Student Life vice president said.
Sullivan said that the agreement does not reduce the deductible. Under the old plan, single students had a 50 percent deductible and married students had a 20 percent deductible. Now, both are at 30 percent.
But Sullivan said university officials have worked with local hospitals to lower rates for students on BYU's health plan.
And, the university carries up to $100,000 in catastrophic health insurance for students, which could help certain problem pregnancies, Sullivan said.
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(Additional information)
Effects of subsidy
Semester cost of insurance at BYU for: 1989-90 1990-91 1990-91
students with
pre-existing
conditions)
Single: $90*-$120** $120*** $120
Two married students with
two or more children: $480 $764 $600
Married student with
one non-student
dependent (spouse or child): $320 $904 $416
Married student with
two or more non-student
dependents (spouse or children): $480 $1,112 $624
* 30-70 coverage
** 50-50 coverage
*** 70-30 coverage