Spring Break
Health care legislation - Will it affect you?
Nikki Peters
Issue date: 8/31/09 Section: News
Health care legislation passed by the House of Representatives has created many questions needing answers and myths that need to be dispelled.
The most important thing to remember is the Senate has not yet passed the bill, and nothing is set in stone.
Many college students have either completely ignored this coverage or do not understand how it will affect them. In reality, it won't affect many students - especially those who have student health coverage through the school or simply use the university's clinic as their primary means of health care.
The services provided by Student Health and Wellness won't be affected at all by the legislation. The bill specifically states that services priced and offered separate from health insurance are not affected by the legislation. This will also include most dental plans and discount prescription plans.
However, all health insurance plans are affected by the legislation as it is currently written. That could mean some changes in the way your health care plan works if you have opted for the student health insurance offered through Aetna.
You will also be affected if you have employer-based insurance on your own or through a parent.
Basically, insurance plans would have to meet minimum benefit standards as laid out in the legislation to remain in effect. If they do not meet the standards, they would be forced to alter their plans or drop them entirely for new qualifying plans. Those currently on health plans can be grandfathered in, which just means their plans don't have to change right away.
According to a current draft of the bill, exempting pre-existing conditions would no longer be allowed in most cases. A good portion of the more than 1,000-page bill deals with trying to lower the costs of health care, which is also addressed in these minimum standards.
So what does this mean for UMKC students?
Sandra Handley of UMKC Student Health and Wellness said she is not familiar enough with the legislation to provide an informed answer to that question. However, she said the university follows the guidelines set forth by the American College Health Association (ACHA).
An ACHA representative was not available for comment. There is detailed information regarding the group's position on health care reform on their Web site at www.acha.org. The information shows the association is dedicated to making the necessary changes to keep colleges and students covered.
For students who are on their parents' plans or are covered by employer-based plans, different rules may apply. Check with your employer to discover whether your insurance plan will meet
The most important thing to remember is the Senate has not yet passed the bill, and nothing is set in stone.
Many college students have either completely ignored this coverage or do not understand how it will affect them. In reality, it won't affect many students - especially those who have student health coverage through the school or simply use the university's clinic as their primary means of health care.
The services provided by Student Health and Wellness won't be affected at all by the legislation. The bill specifically states that services priced and offered separate from health insurance are not affected by the legislation. This will also include most dental plans and discount prescription plans.
However, all health insurance plans are affected by the legislation as it is currently written. That could mean some changes in the way your health care plan works if you have opted for the student health insurance offered through Aetna.
You will also be affected if you have employer-based insurance on your own or through a parent.
Basically, insurance plans would have to meet minimum benefit standards as laid out in the legislation to remain in effect. If they do not meet the standards, they would be forced to alter their plans or drop them entirely for new qualifying plans. Those currently on health plans can be grandfathered in, which just means their plans don't have to change right away.
According to a current draft of the bill, exempting pre-existing conditions would no longer be allowed in most cases. A good portion of the more than 1,000-page bill deals with trying to lower the costs of health care, which is also addressed in these minimum standards.
So what does this mean for UMKC students?
Sandra Handley of UMKC Student Health and Wellness said she is not familiar enough with the legislation to provide an informed answer to that question. However, she said the university follows the guidelines set forth by the American College Health Association (ACHA).
An ACHA representative was not available for comment. There is detailed information regarding the group's position on health care reform on their Web site at www.acha.org. The information shows the association is dedicated to making the necessary changes to keep colleges and students covered.
For students who are on their parents' plans or are covered by employer-based plans, different rules may apply. Check with your employer to discover whether your insurance plan will meet
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