As health insurance becomes mandatory for students if they attend a UNC school, students without health insurance from an outside source will have to purchase it from their university.

Students will have to have health insurance by next fall to attend a UNC school. A student can have health insurance from an outside source such as their employer or their parents.

Students who have their own insurance and do not want to purchase the insurance through the school will need to complete an on-line waiver each fall. Any student who does not waive out of the insurance plan will be charged the premium and automatically enrolled in the program.

“We know we have 10 to 15 percent of students a year who don’t have health insurance,” Wesner said.

Seniors that buy the health insurance will continue to have it for six months after their graduation.

“For much less money people are going to get a better project,” said Wesner.

The cost of the health insurance is expected to be less than half of the current price of the health insurance offered by UNCW. This would bring the cost down to $700 or less.

The new health insurance will be more traditional said Wesner. The current plan is more of a sickness and accident plan, the new one will include wellness and prevention.

The health insurance will cover visits to the hospital, referrals, X-rays, $500 for immunization, physicals, gynecology exams and lab work.

The vendor for UNCW’s health insurance will be Pearce & Pearce, who are the current vendor of UNCW’s student health insurance which is currently voluntary. Pearce & Pearce only do student health insurance.

By April 1, a Web site with information should be available, said Katrin Wesner, director of UNCW’s Abrons Student Health Center.

For more information, contact Katrin Wesner at [email protected] or at the Student Health Center at 910.962.3280