Students covered by insurance

All Southern University students enrolled for the 2005-06 academic year will have mandatory health coverage, said Carol Burls, student health insurance coordinator.
The insurance premium — the policy is underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance — is added to the student’s tuition.
The policy will have year-round coverage starting Aug. 13, 2005 until Aug. 12, 2006.
The plan includes life, accidental death and dismemberment benefits and is a supplement to medical services provided at the Baranco-Hill Student Health Center.
Burls said students need to remember that all medical procedures are not covered. She said students must first use the resources provided by the health center before visiting outpatient medial centers.
“There are three physicians here at the health center,” Burls said. “Out of those three physicians, if a student has a medical problem that can’t be treated here, then they will be referred to another provider or facility for treatment.”
Burls also said for outpatient care, the maximum benefit is $350 per diagnosis. After students have exhausted their medical stipend, the students, not the university, are responsible for the payment of medical bills.
“It’s very important that they (the students) understand if they go somewhere else other than coming here (the health center), they do need to fill out a claim form,” she said.
Burls said the students should submit completed claims to the insurance company within 30 days and no later than 90 from the date the student was treated. Students can obtain claim forms in the health center or on the plan’s Web site, www.BollingerInsurance.com/southern.
“There is a procedure,” Burls said. “That procedure is that the claim form has to be filled out and mailed directly to the insurance claims office.”
Burls said every student should pick up insurance brochures available throughout the campus and on the plan’s Web site.