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Affordable Healthcare Options for Students

By Damarys Hernandez

Without good health care, many Americans are faced with medical bills that can potentially lead to financial problems in the future.

Now Miami Dade College students will have a new option: Insurance for Students has teamed up with Aetna Incorporated to provide optional health care coverage to the students at Miami Dade College. 

Aetna Incorporated has provided students with annual student plans throughout the United States for 25 years. They are now offering to sell policies on a per-semester basis for about $397 or $1,044 per quote for a full calendar year.

So where exactly do students start?

“Ideally, I seek a plan that offers the buyer affordable coverage, along with reliable service. But it must also offer a comfortable degree of freedom, with regards to the range of hospitals and services it provides. A plan that will offer the best compromise between these factors will draw my attention,” said  second year student Judith Arevalo.

According to Insurance for Students, the policy comes with a large network of physicians, specialists, and hospitals across the country, so travelling or transferring to another state will not end coverage. Under their preferred care network, they ask for a deductible of $100 per calendar year, which is the amount that must be paid before the insurance will begin coverage. A copayment of $20 is required per visit to preferred emergency facilities, and they cover 80% of preferred hospital and prescription drug expenses. Additional benefits such as surgical, maternity care and outpatient services are available.

The plan will be available to both domestic and international students who are registered to take six or more credits and attend classes for at least thirty-one days after the first day of proposed coverage. This is good news for international students who may need to meet health insurance requirements that are mandatory for that study under student visas.

Domestic students who are looking for a different coverage, have not had coverage, or are no longer covered as dependents under their parent’s insurance policy due to age will also be able to take advantage of it.

So when is the best time to apply for this plan?

“You can apply at any time because there are no cutoff dates, but it would be best to apply at the beginning of each term so that you do not lose something like a month off of it. Processing does not take long, usually around 24 hours when done online through the website,” said Dulce Alvarado, a representative for Insurance for Students.

For more information go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com ,  www.insuranceforstudents.com or  call 1-800-356-1235.
 

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