Luther to supply health insurance

In keeping with what has become a nationwide concern, Luther College has decided to expand the reach of health insurance coverage for its students.

“The sense in higher education is that in this complicated health world it is important to have students insured,” Vice President and Dean for Student Life Ann Highum said. “This was the next logical step.”

Luther students and parents received emails and a letter over the summer detailing the Student Accident and Sickness plan. The plan is provided by Educational Institution Insurance Administrators Inc., a company that primarily deals with Christian higher-education institutions.

“Luther College does not pay for nor make money from the plan,” Highum said.

Starting this fall, student participation in the SAS program will be mandatory unless proof of other insurance is provided.

The plan costs $490 per 12-month academic year and is meant to provide insurance for students in a variety of situations. There is a zero dollar deductible as well as mental health coverage, which is sometimes left out of standard health insurance plans. Students who were either uninsured, not entirely covered through their current provider, or found the SAS plan to be more cost effective would be allowed under this coverage.

The plan will also help students whose plans don’t carry over from their home state.

“Say you’re from Alaska, and your parents have an HMO that won’t provide coverage in Decorah, Iowa. This plan would cover you.”

Additionally, this plan could provide some graduating Luther students with coverage that provides a bridge between the coverage they have in college and the potential coverage they would receive once they are employed.

Luther already has some experience in providing students with insurance. All athletes at Luther are given the option to sign up for a plan through the college that would target student athlete injuries. This coverage does not provide for things like infections or viruses.

There is concern among the Luther community that some students will end up being insured twice because they are not aware of the plan’s hard-waiver style of implementation.

“Companies prefer it this way,” says Highum. “I realize that there will be some upset people on September 16, but they won’t be if they pay attention to the emails and notifications we have provided.”