Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Yale Health Plan, Part II (should you switch?)

Michelle, a second-year M.Div (whose name is pronounce Meee-shell, not Meh-shell, FYI), pointed out that I didn't really offer any input on whether or not you should think about switching to the Yale Health Plan. I have trouble remembering last August, for some stress-related reason (which actually makes me less nervous about BTFO - you won't remember a thing!), and so although I carefully considered my choices, I have little idea why I decided the YHP was the way to go. Below, Michelle offers some great reasons for switching to Yale's coverage.

Remember, you are already covered for Basic care by enrolling as a Yale student.

-Kate

If you’re moving to YDS from a career, you may be wondering: “what should I do about health insurance? I’ve heard horror stories about grad school health plans. Am I better off trying to keep my old coverage?”


Sandra and Kate have asked me to fill in some of the blanks, based on my expertise. My expertise is based on a couple of things: 1. I’m a second-career student who has lived in five states as and adult, and also spent far too much time in graduate school, so I’ve seen my share of health plans, 2. I have some pretty significant chronic conditions, so I’ve been able to see how health plans treat various illnesses, and 3. I spent most of my first three months at YDS on crutches, so I also know a little about how they deal with “emergent” conditions.


Based on my qualifications, I will state: Yale Health Plan is awesome. You should probably join.


This is not some mindless BTFO propaganda. In general, if you have health coverage from a previous employer or through a spouse/partner, there are a couple of things you will want to consider: cost of coverage up front, convenience, co-pays, where you are living and whether you will be remaining there throughout most of your time at YDS, and what your long-term options are.


I will be honest: the plan I had at my last job was expensive, had a $1000 deductible on prescriptions, and probably has no doctors in network in Connecticut. So I may be a little biased. But based on what I remember from other places where I worked, YHP seems like a pretty good deal all around. There are a couple of situations in which it might not be worth it to switch: 1. If your spouse/partner has excellent health coverage which is not likely to go away, you might want to consider either staying on that plan, or at least having the spouse/partner stay on that plan, 2. If you have lifetime coverage (like some programs for former government employees) which would you would invalidate by joining YHP, you should probably stay on that plan, 3. If you have a plan which has extensive and inexpensive national coverage, and you plan to travel or do mission trips, it might be worth it to stay on that plan.


Beyond that, I would recommend YHP. Sure, there are a couple of downsides (which I will note in brackets), but for the most part, it’s a good deal.


For one thing, your deductible on prescriptions is only $100 per year. After that, co-pays are insanely low. I take medications which would easily cost over $150 per month; most months here, I pay less than $25 total. (Note, this is only available through the YHP pharmacy – I can’t stop at the local chain drug store, and I have to plan ahead if I’m going to be traveling. I think there is a way to get costs reimbursed if you get prescriptions elsewhere, but I’ve never tried)


For another, visits to medical specialists are covered. And really good quality. One of my doctors is the chief of endocrinology at Yale. I see her for free, no co-pay, no nothing. Lab tests are also completely covered. (Again, there is one small downside, in that you may need to wait a little while to see a specialist. My endocrinologist only works there one morning per week – it took four months before I could see her. Obviously, if it’s an emergency, you will get attention. But if you need to routinely see a specialist, be prepared to wait a bit)


For slightly more run-of-the-mill situations (coughs, colds, sprains and strains), you have to go to the Student Health Center (17 Hillhouse). If it’s not an emergency, you might wait a little while in the waiting room, but I’ve never had to wait more than half an hour (you also have the option of calling to make an appointment, but those fill up fast, especially on Mondays).


Finally, there is one other huge advantage to YHP: no paperwork -- prescriptions, lab work, specialists -- all of that stuff is handled internally. No forms to fill out, no need to get reimbursed. Most of the time, all of this goes pretty smoothly, which is a huge advantage because you will have lots of other things to do once you get here.


Some of you may be reading this and thinking that your old plan had similar coverage. Or that your plan has dental or vision coverage, which YHP does not. Or that you would prefer to see your old doctor when you go home over breaks. This is fine. You will be covered for emergencies at Yale regardless of whether you’re in YHP or not. But, YHP is a great option to have, so be sure to consider it.


Peace,

Michelle


3 comments:

  1. THe urgent care is great, there is a male nurse on weekends who is great.

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  2. Yale health plan haves a lot of problems, it needs a complete restructure in order to survive to the most common demands

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  3. I'm the us now because of business and I lived here years ago, and sorry but is not a good country for living, is bad, dirty, united states citizens are mostly racist and they don't have education and health plans sucks.

    ReplyDelete