HD2 - Alternatives in Coverage, Financing, and Administration of Health Insurance for Graduate Students and their Dependents


Executive Summary:
This study, conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 232, examines alternatives in coverage, financing and administration of health insurance for graduate students and their dependents. It finds that the marketplace offers many types of coverage suitable to the needs of graduate teaching assistants, and that the cost of such coverage is reasonable. Each of the universities has particular needs which can more readily be accommodated by the variety of plans available in the marketplace than by any single benefits plan. The ineluctable conclusion is that each university should procure the best plan available which meets its needs.

The study does not directly address the financing of coverage, that is, which parties should pay what proportion of the cost of insurance for graduate students and their dependents. It should be noted, however, that if the employer neither mandates coverage nor provides an individual subsidy to those participating in the plan, the group may attract only those people who expect to incur claims. If that happens, the claims expenses of the group may result in a plan which is either relatively high priced or fails to provide adequate coverage. This caution applies most seriously to an association plan, which is discussed under Alternative Administrative Arrangements.