Explanation of State Requirements

New Jersey State Colleges and Universities
Risk Management
201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028-1701

 

April 2, 2012

From: Chuck O’Loughlin, Risk Manager New Jersey State Colleges and Universities

Re: Student health insurance

Even while the United States Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of  portions or even the entire Public Health Service Act and the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010 a provision of the Act requiring College and University Student Health Plans to meet certain minimum coverage requirements has taken effect.

As a result of the rules and regulations published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services on March 26, 2012 all Collegiate Student Health Plans must provide minimal limits of $100,000 per year and eliminate any sub limits for prescription drugs and wellness benefits.  As a result the New Jersey State Colleges and Universities Student Plan’s benefit levels will be increasing to meet these mandates. 

The increase in benefits unfortunately also requires an increase in the annual premium cost.  This year student health insurance cost will be increasing from $715 to $855 annually for undergraduate and from $1,033 to $1,242 for graduate students.  Students who have other coverage available will be able to waive out of the student health insurance plan.

New Jersey Statute 18A:62-15 provides in part that:

1. Every student enrolled as a full-time student shall present evidence of the health insurance coverage required by subsection a. of this section to the institution at least annually.
2. The State Department of Health shall require all public and private institutions of higher education in this State to offer health insurance coverage on a group or individual basis for purchase by students who are required to maintain the coverage pursuant to this section.

The new federal healthcare laws also require parents’ health care policies to provide coverage for dependent up to age 26, so we encourage our students to investigate that possibility as an alternative to the student health insurance.  Students should also explore their eligibility for public health benefits before deciding whether or not to waive out of the student insurance program.

For information on the student health plan and how to waive out if eligible to do so please refer to your institution’s web site listed below or contact the Bursar Office at the phone number listed below.