For many graduating seniors at SF State, there is a mad scramble for something even more difficult and expensive to get than commencement tickets: medical insurance. For most students on their parent's health insurance plans, chances are they will no longer be covered since many insurance companies drop dependents upon graduation from college or the age of 23. Without the Student Health Center to go to, what are graduates supposed to do in case of a health emergency?
Robert Gunselman Jr., Short Term Medical director for Alumni Benefits Corp., said that temporary medical insurance is the most affordable alternative for students and graduating students between jobs or on probationary periods on new jobs.
His company offers short-term medical coverage through Time Insurance. Applicants can choose between 30 and 185 days and two different deductible scales: $250 or $500.
Gunselman said college seniors make up the largest group covered under the temporary health care plan, "because when they graduate, they immediately fall off their parents health insurance.
"A lot of people between 18 and 29 are not insured, and they are not aware of this product. Most try to get covered through their parents... but that is more expensive," Gunselman said.
Associated Students offers a very similar plan, also through Time Insurance. The main difference in the two is the AS plan offers four deductibles: $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,500, depending on how much coverage is desired.
AS also offers a Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan designed for students. Under this coverage, students can choose between a high option plan and a low option plan. Last year, the price for the low option was $259 a year and $447 for the high option.
According to Jamila Ali, assistant business manager for AS, the most desirable aspect of this insurance is the price. "If you check out (companies like) Blue Cross, it is much more expensive," she said.
For the 1994-95 school year, about 500 students at SF State are covered under the high option plan, and about 400 in the low option plan. There are more than 26,000 students enrolled at SF State. Ali said these numbers have declined over the years, most likely as a result of higher fees and a decrease in student enrollment.
Blue Cross of California offers medical plans of varying lengths, and the amount of the deductible depends on the amount of coverage desired, according to the Blue Cross of California business office.
Gunselman said the biggest weaknesses in the Short Term Medical plan is that it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, or normal pregnancy or childbirth.
He said the reason people aren't enrolled in this plan is because not many people are aware of this product.
"I don't have short-term medical care because I can't afford it," said SF State alumnus James Hawley, who is a free-lance production assistant. "When I was in college I was covered under my father's company, Hewlett Packard.
"But when I graduated and was in the real world with rent to pay and a car to fix, I didn't have the $100 a month to spare, and still don't after four years," he said.
If Hawley gets sick or has a medical emergency, he said he doesn't know what he'll do. "I haven't been sick much that it affects me," he said. "There is always the Haight Street Clinic."
Both Gunselman and Ali agree that the best way to inform people about their plans is through bulk mailing. Both have recently sent out applications to students.
Gunselman said, "Short Term Medical has been around since 1973, and is endorsed by more than 300 schools, as well as major corporations, like the U.S. Olympic Team." Information is available on Short Term Medical at the AS Information Booth, M-106 in the Cesar Chavez Student Center.