by Felicia Fonseca
Daily Lobo
UNM does not require its students to have health insurance, but to help lessen the growing costs of health services, the Student Health Center offers plans to students enrolled in at least six credit hours.
"Insurance is foreign to everyone," said UNM insurance representative Carmen Chavez. "It is not designed to just take your money, but to help you."
Students can enroll for the insurance online, by mail or at the health center. Spouse and dependent coverage is also available.
There are two choices for insurance plans: Preferred Plan A and Limited Benefit Plan B.
Plan A has a $250 deductible and costs $836 a year.
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Plan B is less expensive, but carries a higher deductible of $1,500. Annually, it costs $467. Both plans can be purchased at the beginning of each semester at different rates.
Chavez recommends Plan A for college students because its coverage is more comprehensive and its deductible is more affordable. Because the insurance is geared toward students, the deductible is waived at the health center, but applied for services rendered outside the health center.
Chavez noted that it is not necessary to have insurance to receive services at the University's health center.
Although the student insurance policy is complimentary to the Student Health Center, it is not limited to its services. Cimarron, Lovelace/Cigna and Presbyterian health plans are contracted to accept and file claims from student insurance. An on-call doctor who can refer students to other medical facilities based on their needs is available during after hours.
Each year, companies bid for providing insurance to UNM students. The needs of students, coverage and what is adequate insurance for the dollar all go into consideration when accepting a bid, Chavez said. GM Southwest Inc. is the current administrator, underwritten by the actual insurance company, Clarendon National.
"In comparison to the dollar, it is a good plan, " Chavez said.
However, Chavez said the problem is that students don't know what they want and she encourages them to research what options are best for them.
Student insurance "goes where you go," Chavez said.
Orientation sessions are offered by the health center to explain coverage and insurance benefits. It is recommended by the health center so that students fully understand what is available.
If there is a problem with the policy that students feel their needs are not being met, they are encouraged to give feedback, Chavez said.
The rough estimate of those enrolled in the plan is around 2,300, Chavez said. This number does not include online enrollments or those sent by mail. Although the exact numbers are not yet available, Chavez said they are up from last year.
