WEBVTT 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:12.000 How many of you are covered by Western Oregon University's health insurance? 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:17.000 How many of you are aware that insurance is no longer automatically charged to your student account? 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:24.000 For the past seven years, Western Oregon University has required students to carry mandatory health insurance. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:30.000 However, changes in federal health care law caused several Oregon universities to change the enrollment process. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:37.000 The major changes is that we're requiring students to opt-in to medical insurance this year. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:42.000 So that if they're not covered by their parent's policy, as they can be now until age 26, 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:50.000 they would need to choose to purchase the school provided insurance in order to have certain medical tests 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:55.000 and prescriptions and procedures covered under the insurance policy. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:60.000 What should the students who are covered by their parents know? 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.000 It would be really important for students to understand the language of insurance. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:15.000 For example, what is a deductible, and how much do I have to pay for a procedure if insurance is going to cover the other part of it? 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:21.000 Or, for example, what is covered and how I find out what services are covered, or procedures, or labs are covered? 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:25.000 Is there an example of a situation you can give us? 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:34.000 A great example would be a recent student who was diagnosed with an ulcer and didn't have health insurance coverage at all 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:40.000 because that student was used to this mandatory process, meaning that it was billed to his account. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:47.000 So, when he found out he had the ulcer he realized he needed ongoing treatment including medication, 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:52.000 but could not approve of that treatment because he knew he couldn't afford the cost of care. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:55.000 What happens if I don't have insurance? 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:59.000 Would there ever be an instance where a student might be denied medical assistance? 00:01:59.000 --> 00:01:67.000 Every student that has paid their 95 dollars student health fee per term has access to medical care, 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:13.000 mental health care, and our wellness education programs. So, no. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:17.000 If that fee has been paid, we'll provide medical services, mental health services 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.000 and wellness education for all of those students without question. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:30.000 The difficulty comes when we have an uninsured, or under-insured student who is diagnosed with an illness or disease. 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:39.000 Then, because of their lack of insurance, they can't afford the fees associated with test or treatment or medication. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:44.000 If you're not covered by your parent's policy, one option is term-by-term health insurance. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:49.000 In most cases, this payment is cheaper than a long term independent policy. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:57.000 Enrollment is simple and can be done online at GallagherKoster.com/oussystem. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:62.000 We want to make sure that all students know before they come in that they need to be insured. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:10.000 Or, let us talk to them about this process when they're in the office,so that if they're uninsured we can find other options for their care. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:14.000 Health insurance is an issue many students don't think about until they need it. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:17.000 Make sure you take a moment to find out if you're covered.