Health Insurance

Know More About Insurance Options

Students at many colleges today must have a health insurance plan that meets their university’s minimum requirement. The University of North Florida only makes this a requirement if your student is an international student. While this does make life easier in that it can eliminate some paperwork, it is still wise that your student has some sort of health insurance.

UNF does have an available Student Health Plan, underwritten by United Healthcare Insurance Company and serviced by Gallagher Student Health. The enrollment dates are usually from July – September. The list of F&Q for Gallagher. Regardless, as part of your student’s tuition fees, there is a mandatory health fee that you will pay and probably not even know it. The health fee, medical compliance fee, health promotion fee, counseling fee, and DRC accommodations are health-related fees that support student activities and support services for the Dottie Dorion Fitness Center, the Counseling Center, and the Campus Alcohol and Drug Information Center. It is assessed to all students and is based upon credit hours taken. See UNF’s tuition rate chart for the per credit hour fee. Some of the fees are covered by Florida Prepaid Local Fees.

Deciding on which health insurance plan your student should be on may require a degree in economics. There are so many variables to consider when choosing. You may want to consider consulting with your financial advisor to compare the benefits and costs or maybe you are comfortable with a healthcare plan that is paid for as part of tuition. Consider the following:

• Is the monthly premium you pay for your child pre-tax or after-tax? Will you save money by purchasing a separate plan or perhaps the UNF health fee is as much coverage as you feel your student will need?
• Does your current insurance cover your student at an out of state college (if your student is coming from another state)?
• If your student is already covered by your own plan, consider what your cost is to keep them on your plan. If you have more than one child on your plan, it may not be cost-effective to remove just one child.
• Will your student be studying abroad?

If you choose to purchase UNF’s student insurance, you may want to purchase the yearly plan to be sure your student is covered even when he or she is not taking classes. If you are unsure of which plan makes the most sense for your family and you have a financial planner or a certified public accountant, they can run the numbers for you.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.