Eligible graduate associates can now count on assistance from Ohio State to pay their health plan premium.
Following a June decision by the Board of Trustees, and beginning this quarter, OSU will contribute $15 per month ($45 per quarter) towards the university-sponsored health plan of eligible graduate associates, graduate trainees and fellows with university payroll stipends.
“This marks a breakthrough for graduate associates, as this is the first time that the university has sponsored any portion of the cost of health insurance,” said Larry Lewellen, associate vice president of Human Resources.
For graduate associates to be eligible for the contribution, they must be enrolled with at least a 50 percent appointment. The university will only contribute to the premium of associates who are enrolled in either the Student Health Insurance Plan or University Prime Care.
According to a memo posted on the Office of Human Resources Web site, OSU plans to raise the contribution twice in the next two years, doubling to $30 per month in autumn quarter 2002 and then $50 per month in autumn quarter 2003.
The memo also warns the premium contribution will only be in effect during quarters the associate receives a monthly stipend; otherwise, the associate must pay the entire insurance premium by that quarter’s enrollment deadline.
“The available health plans through the student insurance plan(s) are not new – the university has simply made a decision to embark on a three-year plan to phase in financial support,” Lewellen said.
As an example, a graduate associate with Single Comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan coverage ($251 per quarter) can expect $68.67 rather than $83.67 to be deducted from their paychecks in October, November and December.
The plan is result of work by many departments, said Susan Huntington, dean and vice provost for Graduate Studies.
“This past year, the president and provost worked with the Council of Graduate Students, the Office of Human Resources, the Graduate School and the Office of Student Affairs to create a workable plan to address the issues of stipends and benefits of students on university appointments,” she said.
“The university undertook a study, in partnership with the Council of Graduate Students, and found that our benchmark institutions and other (Committee on Institutional Cooperation) institutions do sponsor healthcare coverage in the majority,” Lewellan said.
He also said several other services are now offered to graduate associates in the effort to improve benefit program access. For example, graduate associates may enroll in University Prime Care Plan, a program that was initially limited to faculty and staff of the university. The pharmacy in the Wilce Student Health Center may now be used by dependents of graduate associates.
Huntington is excited about the new plan.
“I am delighted that the university is now subsidizing the cost of health insurance for graduate students on university appointments,” she said. “I also think that the plan to increase the university cost-share over a period of three years is excellent.”
