blog

After a recent policy change, students in University of North Carolina schools
will no longer have the option to be uninsured. 
Uninsured students are now required to purchase health insurance through
the University. It is unclear how much student input was sought or weighed in
this decision-making process, though UNC President Erskine Bowles acknowledges
that some students will be displeased at the self-termed "mandate."

The University's program will have relatively low premiums because of the
bargaining power of the UNC school system. Also, students who receive financial
aid will have those premiums factored into their aid packages. But that also
means that the cost of health insurance will be added to some students'
already-sky-high debt.

Sun News writer Eric Fererri reports that "students at each school would
pay from $549 to $679 annually for $100,000 coverage with a $300
deductible." The UNC system says that the new packages would increase
premiums for some, but also provide better care. The exact cost of the new
plans to be offered by the university system is unknown because they have not
yet begun to bargain with insurers.

More from The Sun News