The Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (QSHIP) was set up to assist all individuals studying at colleges and universities in Massachusetts. However, with the creation of Health Care Reform, we are beginning to see more issues with these plans than before. For some students, the QSHIP programs create barriers that make it harder to access the care they need.
I have worked with three uninsured clients who are all Massachusetts residents studying as full time students. They each signed a waiver of QSHIP coverage when they enrolled in school last fall, because they had access to other insurance. They have since lost that other coverage. But because the waiver lasts for 12 months, they are not eligible for the school’s insurance again until this September. They can’t get Commonwealth Care during the gap because full-time students are not eligible for it.
Students can have a range reasons for losing their alternate coverage after signing a QSHIP waiver. One of my clients lost a job that had offered insurance; another’s parents lost a job that offered it; and the third had been on MassHealth, but became ineligible when she turned 19. The QSHIP waiver would be fine if it allowed the student to take on the school’s insurance when or if they are taken off of the other coverage. However, because it is a full year waiver, my clients are now left without insurance.
Even without waiving the coverage, there are many students who are having problems because the coverage offered through QSHIP is not affordable or does not cover enough of the care that they need. Almost all colleges/universities have a cap on coverage for medications, and QSHIP plans will be exempt from the requirement for Minimal Credible Coverage (MCC). What about people who need more complete coverage, but are students? What about students who lose their alternate coverage after signing a QSHIP waiver?
These students can also file Appeals
We were just reminded that Q-SHIP patients who are in situations similar to the examples in this blog post can also file the Connector's Appeals Request Form for Commonwealth Care. You could either send in the appeal yourself, or refer the case to a legal services agency such as Health Law Advocates.
"Personally, I believe what
"Personally, I believe what we are seeing in QSHIP plans is an unjust practice in which students are being put at risk by being forced to buy poor insurance products."
Aaron,
If we change just a few words here you have described the bogus Massachusetts health reform law perfectly, at least as it relates to those earning more than 300% of the FPL!
QSHIP
QSHIP benefit limits are a major concern. Annual benefit caps, in particular, leave the insured uncovered and exposed to extreme medical debt when they get sick (just when they need insurance the most). Though the annual benefit cap minimums were updated just a couple of years ago, they are still incredibly low and out of line with the high cost of health care today.
In regards to access to coverage for those who lose coverage after waiving a QSHIP, there is an option that people should know about. People who waive QSHIPs remain eligible for private insurance plans, including Commonwealth Choice plans (and Young Adult Plans). These unsubsidized plans are signficantly more expensive than Commonwealth Care plans, but students can find Young Adult Plans for approximately the same price as most QSHIPs (unfortunately, the benefits are also similar, including annual benefit caps).
QSHIP
My name is Aaron Marden and I have met with around a dozen students that have had problems due to QSHIP's lack of benefits. Personally, I believe what we are seeing in QSHIP plans is an unjust practice in which students are being put at risk by being forced to buy poor insurance products. What I find most interesting is that new State Plans will soon (if not already) be required to be held to the MCC standards (a minimum level of benefits each health plan must attain), however many if not all QSHIP plans fall well below these standards, and the standards they are being held to are also much lower than state plans.
This summer I have started an organization called SHIP (Student Health Insurance Project) that will be a student run organization whose goal is to improve the state of Student Health Insurance in Massachusetts. I already notice some posts on this blog of students who have had problems. I believe this problem is widespread based on the wide-range of responses I have gotten from students through brief outreach, and would like to welcome any individuals who read this post to contact me if they are interested in being a part of, or supporting a campaign to help improve Student Health Insurance. If you are interested please contact me at aaron.marden@tufts.edu
Commonwealth Care and Student Health Insurance
Hi Aaron,
Thank you for starting your organization-it is incredibly necessary for Massachusetts students. I moved back to Massachusetts in January of this year and acquired Commonwealth Care health coverage very quickly. The great state of Massachusetts found that I fell in the proper range of income to receive insurance without paying a monthly premium. In addition to this, I do not pay co-payments and I don't pay for prescriptions.
So now I have transferred my college credits to Fitchburg State College. I am a nursing student. My income has not changed. To say the least, I don't have very much money at all. Yet by QSHIP standards, I cannot keep my coverage which was given to me just months ago. Not only does this mean that I must take incomparable coverage, it also means that I will have to finance the cost of my health insurance.
I ask you Aaron, have you encountered a situation similar to this in your work? If so, what action have you taken to combat this problem? Finally, I would like to take action myself, but I haven't a clue as to where to start. Your help and any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
Marissa Maher
Nursing Student
Fitchburg State College
mmaher413@yahoo.com
College Health Plans
I've had a few experiences with QSHIP plans.
A few years ago I was forced to enroll is the college health insurance insurance that cost about $1,000/year. My parents didn't have employer sponsored insurance so I couldn't waive it. I relied on financial aid so this was added to my bill and I'll be paying it for at least the next ten years (with interest!). There's definitely a disproportionate impact on poor college age students. So many of us not only pay our entire way through school, but also for our own health insurance.
I used this health insurance twice. Both for ER visits. I spent the next six months fighting with the insurer to get them to pay the claims.
Student Health Plans
I have encountered numerous clients from Bristol Community College since our location is around the corner so to speak from their location. QSHIP is unaffordable for full time students who dont have a full time job especially because they are expected to pay it in one lumpson amount. And if they can afford to pay for the insurance for the year it doesnt cover much. I truly believe it has failed Mass Students with such poor coverage.
I have heard directly from students that some are allowed a certain amount of visits per year, other claim only certain services are covered. And almost all claim after paying premium they are still stuck with large bills. Therefore choose not to go to the doctor only for immunizations required to get into certain programs. I hope health care reform comes up with a better plan for these students.
OR -- you could just be a
OR -- you could just be a nervous parent and end up paying for the QSHIP insurance for a child who has MCC insurance through a parent's work. But the QSHIP waiver seems to suggest dire consequences and your child will be far away from home, and....
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