After I had paid the entire balance in full, I was unable to obtain ANY contact with Gallagher Koster.  I spent more time negotiating with their claims company, Klais & Co,than was necessary.  Gallagher Koster did not reimburse, partially reimburse, or even acknowledge any of my routine doctors visits or required vaccinations for full-time graduate studies (as they had promised in their contract).  Hence, I was stuck with the entire bill AFTER I had paid the entire (Gallagher Koster) prepaid balance. 
What a waste of money! I really hope you improve your business strategy for Gallagher Koster’s sake.

A satisfied customer typically refers five new prospects on average. An unsatisfied customer dissuades nine.

Sincerely,

Anna C. Balch

The testimony from students yesterday was straightforward, compelling, and well-reasoned. I am hopeful for a positive end-result for health care access for students in Massachusetts.

TO: Lookout Mountain Group:
Subject: A Good Day for Health Care Reform in Massachusetts — Sad Day for College Health/Student Affairs

Hello all,

Earlier today I attended a public hearing in Boston at the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (see article below). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been working since last fall to reconsider the QSHIP regulations (first put in place in 1989) for mandating students have health insurance and specifying the benefit levels student insurance plans must provide. The Cuomo investigation and substantial protests from students seem to be the impetus for this review.

The usual litany of agents and insurance companies were represented. (Paraphrasing) They do not like the idea that colleges will have to report the financial results of their programs or that students should have comprehensive health insurance since it will be “unaffordable.” There were also a large group of students in the room and representatives from various health care advocacy organizations. The students did an amazing job of presenting the severe problems they have encountered from inadequate student health insurance coverage that meets the minimum QSHIP mandates.

After the students spoke (10 of them), I provided comment, not representing any clients or other entities — solely my personal opinion. I began by saying that it is arguable that the QSHIP regulations over the past 20 years, with deference to the good intentions of policymakers and others, probably did more harm than good because: (1) the limited benefits created a safe harbor, both legally and ethically, for college administrators to respond to complaints about limited coverage by saying their plans comply with state mandated coverage; and (2) there are undoubtedly numerous students/parents who enrolled in student insurance plans who would have otherwise purchased real insurance. In regard to this last point, many of the severe limits of student insurance plans in Massachusetts are not readily apparent to students/parents (e.g., a plan with a $75,000 maximum benefit is not likely to provide anywhere near this level of coverage if it has a $2,000 limit on total outpatient care).

After I spoke, a representative of a health care assistance fund reported that 25% of their applicants in the Boston area are students. He excoriated the colleges and universities for endorsing such woeful coverage and leaving students with limited ability to obtain necessary health care services. He rightfully asked many challenging questions of college administrators (e.g., what kind of agent commissions are involved with these programs?).

The overall day was high testimony to how bad things could be if we end up at the national level with health care reform that features a “low cost/low benefit” program for young adults. I know there are others who strongly disagree, but I would have loved for everyone who thinks “universal coverage first – quality second” to hear the students who spoke today in Massachusetts. The good news is that the public testimony was transcribed and will be available in early May.

What was most sad about today’s public hearing is that there were no speakers who were college health or student affairs professionals. Two risk managers were, as far as I could tell, the only direct representatives of colleges and universities in the room. The eloquent statements of the students not being acknowledged or supported by college health and student affairs professionals was profoundly disappointing. I cannot help but think that lack of attention by college health and student affairs professionals is the most important underlying cause for the widespread deficiencies for student health insurance plans and the large uninsured/under-insured student population.

There are a several colleges and universities in Massachusetts that have health plans that fully comply with ACHA’s standards. These institutions should rightfully take full credit for spending the time and resources to provide effective and appropriate health insurance plans for their students.

Please let me know if you have any questions. The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy is also accepting written comments following the public hearing earlier today.

Best regards,

Steve Beckley

Until this point, students have had little input in the rules and policies that govern student health insurance. Right now, there is also a bill addressing QSHIP in the legislative Committee on Higher Education. We feel it is very important that students had the opportunity to build power for the student voice in decision-making on student health insurance.

I am adamant that current QSHIP plans need to be more affordable, more comprehensive and demand higher standards from insurance companies. SHOC members certainly appreciate that the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy seeks to take steps to collect more information about the current state of student health insurance (as in section 3.07) and to enhance education of students in regard to the specificities of their plans (as in section 3.04.06). However, these metrics can not measure the many students who forgo medical care due to its high costs under their minimal plans. We feel that it is clear right now that QSHIP plans are not quality insurance products. We want to find out more about exactly how the DHCFP plans to respond to the new information they collect as well as what we already know.

At the hearing, we shared examples and personal stories, as well as their implications for changes in regulation and policy. Our first panel demonstrated the way that caps and exclusions make student health insurance unaffordable for those who need it most. Our second panel demonstrated the need for improvement in the education of students about their plans as well as enforcement of stricter standards of insurance company practices.

We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the process to improve student health insurance, and we believe that the time is now for substantive action that goes beyond the current proposals.