Kayla Nelson
Staff Writer
Students will no longer be able to purchase health insurance using the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) through Idaho State University or any other universities or colleges in the state of Idaho.
“It is time for a change. We really have wanted to better meet the needs of our little ISU community,” said Emily Inskeep, an ISU Health Center employee and ISU student. “We needed to reach out to everyone with a new image.”
Students on SHIP will need to find a new plan.
“[Students] needed an insurance tailored to their specific needs instead of an umbrella plan for anyone who needs insurance,” said Inskeep.
SHIP is reportedly going to be terminated because the premium for the plan was increasing 30 percent and it wasn’t helping some students. Idaho universities and colleges will no longer require SHIP starting in the fall of 2015.
The decision to no longer use SHIP was brought up by the State Board of Directors. There were many factors that went into the decision.
The two main reasons were a decrease in enrollment and regulatory changes.
The health center is working on figuring out how to notify students of all the changes taking place.
In addition to changes regarding SHIP, the former-Student Health Center has made a name change to the ISU Health Center and has acquired a new doctor on staff.
According to Inskeep, there is a common misconception that the health center is only for students, but it also is open to the community and faculty of ISU.
The ISU Health Center does not charge a copay to students for office visits and encourages students to take responsibility for their own health care and to be seen when they need to be seen.
Dr. Eric Spotts will be joining the staff on April 13, 2015.
Spotts is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) coming from the University of South Carolina.
A meet and greet will be held at the ISU Health Center when Spotts arrives. A specific date has not been set at this time.
The health center also offers x-rays and does lab work.
The ISU Health Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. as well as Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information can be found at isu.edu/healthcenter.
“Now that SHIP is gone we really want to emphasize coming to the clinic,” said Inskeep.
On a State Board level, insurance will still be required, so students will need to find an alternative.
The health center will be working with students and faculty currently on SHIP to discover other insurance options that can best suit their needs.
Students affected by the termination of ISU SHIP coverage will qualify for a special enrollment period to enter and can visit https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/ for more information. If students do not qualify for special enrollment, short-term policies may be available to provide insurance until the next State Health Insurance Exchange open enrollment period.
Many may be eligible for extended dependent coverage, which is available for individuals up to age 26 under a parent’s health insurance plan.
International students have many options under the International Student Organization and this information can be found by visiting isoa.org/.
If further help is needed students can go to the health center or call (208) 282-2330.
