In the 1996-97 academic year, GSAC sponsored several open meetings with campus and university administrators so that graduate students could continue to make s pecific recommendations about how health coverage for graduate students could be improved. These suggestions were incorporated into the bid specifications for the 1997-98 student health insurance plan. When the bids were received, administrators again met with graduate students to discuss coverage options and associated costs. As a result of this work, the student insurance plans were changed in Fall 1997. Coverage continues to be mandatory for matriculated students, with the right of waiver for equivalent or better coverage.
Students pay the premiums themselves.
As is true with the dental plan, the student health insurance plan is available for purchase for students dependents. Students pay the premiums for their spouses and dependents. Coverage may now be extended for two semesters beyond graduation rather than one. Also for the first time, students could use MasterCard, Visa, or Discover to pay premiums for dependents and for extension of coverage. Registered students are also required to pay a university health service fee, which provides access to the services of the McKinley Health Center and the Counseling Center.