Is health insurance required?

Nursing Students General Students

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Just curious if most nursing programs required you to carry health insurance and if so how some of you have handled it. I guess this is targeted more for the older non-traditional student that doesn't have the option to be covered under a parents policy. This is kind of worrying me because since I'm currently the sole provider, and had planned on going to school full-time when I get accepted into a program, the additional costs of health coverage seem a bit daunting. I doubt I'll be able to afford full coverage for the family (wife and 2 kids). How have some of you dealt with this situation?

Specializes in Med-Surg.

There are at least 2 people in my class with no health insurance. So I know at my school it isn't a requirement.

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My school requires it also. My husband lost his job 3 weeks ago and even though he got another one right away I am going to be uncovered for 3 months. I asked the school and I do not need the coverage until 8 weeks into the semester when clinicals start but that still leaves me uncovered for a few weeks. I am going to probably have to pay a fortune for this little tiny bit of time! Ticks me off but not much I can do about it! :)

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My school requires proof of insurance. I quit my job to go to school full time and lost my health insurance. The college automatically bills you for health insurance if you take over 9 credits. My health insurance cost was 545$. I called the company that handles it and am putting my husand and 2 kids on it. It'll cost about $2,100 more. The name of the company is university health plans. Their web site is http://www.universityhealthplans.com.

My family doc is listed, but the kids pedi isn't. There is one of his associates that is listed and we'll go with her.

good luck, Berta

But it sure bets having none.

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My school requires proof of insurance. I quit my job to go to school full time and lost my health insurance. The college automatically bills you for health insurance if you take over 9 credits. My health insurance cost was 545$. I called the company that handles it and am putting my husand and 2 kids on it. It'll cost about $2,100 more. The name of the company is university health plans. Their web site is http://www.universityhealthplans.com.

My family doc is listed, but the kids pedi isn't. There is one of his associates that is listed and we'll go with her.

good luck, Berta

But it sure bets having none. Forgot to mention that this cost if for one year, Sept 1 2003 until Aug 31, 2004

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Also try: http://www.student-resources.net/

We are required to carry insurance. Spouse is self-employed and we have four children. I picked it up through the above website and it cost $800ish for 7 months coverage on me and the kids. No well-baby, routine physical coverage but do get 80/20 on illnesses.

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We must carry insurance. The school offers a plan that is kind of expensive & doesn't have great benefits. Therefore, my spouse & I are sticking with something offered in PA called Adult Basic. It is a BC/BS program for lower income folks. At the time my spouse & I applied we were both collecting unemployment & we easily met the income eligibility. It costs $30 a month & it covers basic healthcare (but no mental health at all).

The way we found out about our program was by a visit to our county assistance office.

Good luck with insurance. The cost of insurance is truly staggering.

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You know, just another thing I want to say...

I have now written 2 papers on the uninsured, and it quite a problem. I fully believe that our country could cover EVERYONE with a universal health plan at little or no cost (the U.S., by the way, is the only industrialized country that does not have a universal health care plan in place...and we spene WAY more than other countries on healthcare costs). It is just sad to see people who cannot afford the outrageous premiums, the children who's parents are working poor (like us!), all these people without access to medical care...

Just a thought...don't mean to get on my soap box!:uhoh21:

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Amen! I'll join you on that soapbox anytime.

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Health insurance at Penn State is REQUIRED....the school of nursing requires it as does the clinical site...no health insurance means you can't do clinical means you can't pass nursing course....do not pass go do not collect $200

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.
Originally posted by PJMommy

Amen! I'll join you on that soapbox anytime.

Make room for me!

I know first hand how difficult it can be when you are uninsured. I had to make a trip to emergency room about a month ago and walked away with about $600 in bills. I know it could have been worse and I'm lucky that I will be able to pay it. I can't imagine what it must be like for people who are really sick and have no insurance.

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My school also requires it. They offer Blue Cross/Blue Shield for $692 some for Sept. 1 - Jan. 31. So that's about $140/month. Not great, but it could be worse. They do have some perks, though. If you go to the school clinic for gyn services, you get BCP for $6/month. There's also a dental school at my university, so they offer a dental plan, too, but you have to see the student dentists (who apparently are already licensed).

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Health insurance is mandatory for our school. Luckily I do have insurance through my husband's company but the school does offer insurance for those who do not have any for $310 and this applies for the whole school not just nursing majors!!!!!!!

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