<p>Northwestern's health insurance policy with Aetna costs $2,466. Doesn't that seem expensive? My friend goes to Washu and they only had him pay $575.
Why is Northwestern's policy so much higher or am I not seeing the whole picture?
P.S. Both Northwestern and Washu partner with Aetna.</p>
<p>Health insurance isn’t a ‘set service,’ where kids can pay [blank] amount and get the whole deal. It has everything to do with coverage and costs.
If a NU student gets XY test done for a disease and be covered, there’s a high possibility that the WashU kid cannot get that test done because the coverage only covers a certain percentage (considering the cost and out-of-pocket). </p>
<p>If u look at the brochure they sent, it gives u a quasi-comprehensive look at the coverage, %NC for preferred and non-preferred, aggregate max policy, etc. Compare that to WashU. </p>
<p>[Student</a> Health Services - Washington University in St. Louis](<a href=“Habif Health and Wellness Center - Students”>Habif Health and Wellness Center - Students)
I think the greatest contrast lies in the max out-of-pocket (NU:$1k vs WashU:$10K)</p>
<p>The deductible is also worth noting.</p>
<p>Many NU students are covered on their parents’ health insurance policies and can therefore waive the university plan. I think then you only have to pay a minor charge regarding student health services. That’s what we’ve always done.</p>
<p>You may also wish to consider getting a separate coverage for your child. That way they can be covered even after they graduate. We signed our DD up for Anthem Blue Cross-pay $358 every two months. She waives the NU program.</p>
<p>Nu’s student health coverage is very, very good. It even comes with dental coverage. For the cost its a GREAT deal. It was cheaper than my real insurance except that my it cost the same for me and my little brother as it did for just me.</p>