Correction: The original version of this article contained multiple errors. The new Student Health Insurance Plan will cost about $137 more than the old plan. The new plan will cover all preventative immunizations at no cost. Gardasil shots will cost $144.
Although student groups initially opposed joining UC-wide health insurance plan, a new policy will be implemented next fall after university representatives and the UC Office of the President reached an agreement to maintain all previous services and cut down on additional student costs.
The new Student Health Insurance Plan will cost about $137 more than the old plan but will offer free vaccinations and lower costs of payment for procedures, said Barbara Rabinowitz, insurance manager for the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.
While basic vaccinations have also been free in the past, the new plan will cover all preventative immunizations, including Gardasil, a popular vaccine for women that previously cost about $144 per shot.
Although UCLA will have more benefits in its insurance plan than other schools in the UC system, students will have to pay more for their policy.
“We have a lot more students than other UCs, and so we have more power,” said Scott Arno, a neurology graduate student and former Student Health Advisory Committee chair. “It’s cheaper to give us more benefits than it would be in a smaller school.”
Fees for students who waive their SHIP but use the Ashe Center will remain the same.
Students opposed the original proposal to join the coordinated program because it would result in many decreased benefits.
“They were going to lower the lifetime cap for students, and if you have a serious disease like cancer, then you would go through that money way too quickly,” Arno said.
Under the initial proposal, pharmacy maximums for students would be reduced.
These benefits were not initially included in the new insurance plan, but UCOP negotiated with UCLA groups to maintain them at the beginning of spring quarter, Arno said.
Another deciding factor was that UCLA’s current insurance provider informed the school that students’ rates would increase by 18 percent beginning next year, Arno said.
“Our plan is going up by $200 or so. However, it would have gone up more if we had stayed with United,” he said. “The reason we went with the UC system is because it offered more benefits at an ultimately lower price.”
Some students said the new policy would make them reconsider getting insurance or would cause them to use the services more frequently.
Although Rebecca Verlaque waived her SHIP because of her parents’ coverage, she said the lower deductibles might make her reconsider for next year.
“I can’t really get to hospitals that take my insurance, so having a cheaper alternative this close would be very convenient,” said the third-year international development studies student.
Because she has Kaiser Permanente insurance, the closest doctor’s office that is covered by her policy is approximately 40 minutes away from campus, she said. Other students said the free vaccinations would be a big benefit for next year.
Although Arno said the current plan for next year is supported by student groups, it is also liable to change in future years since students will have less of a voice on the committee.
The new policy will be controlled primarily by UCOP, whereas with the old UCLA Student Health Insurance Committee policy had a panel consisting of four students and five Ashe staff members.