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Insurance premiums to be billed to students by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations Tuition bills for all MUSC students will include a fee for health insurance beginning with the fall semester, said Julie Reese, R.N., nurse manager for Student Health Services.   Although health insurance has always been a requirement for all students of the university, this is the first time that all eligible students, who are enrolled in degree-seeking programs and taking a minimum of six credit hours, will be auto-matically billed.   Students may opt out of this plan by completing the online waiver form and providing proof of com-parable health coverage by Friday, Aug. 3.   The current insurance premium for MUSC students costs less than $100 a month ($945 for single coverage from Aug. 20 through Aug. 20, 2008) regardless of age or sex. This year, for the first time, the plan also includes a drug card. The relatively low-cost premium is a result of MUSC’s membership and participation in the S. C. Insurance Consortium, a large multi-institutional insurance pool. The consortium represents many of the state’s colleges and universities in obtaining the lowest rates for the best health insurance coverage for students statewide.   “The health insurance plan offered by the university is comparatively generous and comprehensive,” Reese said.   The plan has a $300 deductible with an 80 percent coverage and 20 percent co-pay for most medical care. With this plan, MUSC Student Health Services is the primary care provider for all initial medical evaluation and treatment.   “If it’s something we can handle here, or if they have to see one of our physicians or nurse practitioners in Student Health Services, there are no out-of-pocket expenses for the student,” Reese said. “Students are billed by the hospital for laboratory tests and routine X-rays, but if they are medically necessary and we order them, then the student insurance plan pays 100 percent of the charges.”   The student insurance plan also includes dental coverage and prescription coverage with a $750 maximum annual benefit. Mental health and OB/GYN care also are covered. Routine gynecology care is provided by Student Health Services, while students requiring obstetrical care are referred to other health care providers. Mammograms are covered by the plan at 80 percent.   Additionally, students who travel abroad on rotations, medical missions as a part of their education, or on vacation, are covered by a worldwide assistance program. Emergency Medical Transportation Services are provided by worldwide assistance for up to a combined maximum limit of $50,000 for covered services.   Students will be billed for health insurance each academic semester. The fall semester premium is $394 for coverage through Dec. 31. The 2008 spring semester premium of $551 will provide insurance coverage from Jan. 1 through Aug. 18, 2008, which also covers students who will have graduated in May.   Students may opt out of the automatic 2008 spring semester premium fee by submitting a waiver with proof of comparable health insurance by the November deadline, which will be announced later. If a student leaves campus or drops out of MUSC, the student is no longer eligible for the health insurance.   Students are encouraged to make informed decisions on which plan to buy and which benefits to include, Reese said.   For more information about the student insurance plan, visit http://www.studentinsurance.com, or contact Carol Billings at 792-3664.     Friday, July 27, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.