<p>I was just filling out the waiver form for Smith health insurance and see that there are 3 options--1. yes to health insurance, 2. no to insurance but yes to On Campus Health Care and 3. no to insurance period. </p>
<p>I'm a little confused and since it's late, and Smith is closed thought I'd post this here. </p>
<p>I thought that students had to sign up for On campus health care, but it looks optional. What are the benefits of it vs just using our family insurance? Is it worth the extra $236 per year?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>According to the Smith Health Services website, the optional $236 insurance is intended for students already on their parents health plan and basically covers lab testing, visits to the nutritionist, eight on campus counseling sessions (the same number students on the full insurance plan receive), and prescribing of psychotropic medications like anti depressants. You can find that info here: [Smith</a> College: Health Services](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/health/insurance_optional.php]Smith”>User account)</p>
<p>I think, unless your child has a history of illness requiring lab tests or depression, it’s probably fine to stick with your own insurance. You can see on this page what the difference in coverage is for each option: [Smith</a> College: Health Services](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/health/medical_fees.php]Smith”>Fees | Smith College) </p>
<p>As you’ll see, students with private insurance and no optional health plan still get 3 counseling visits and can still receive lab tests and/or vaccinations for a small charge at student services. So if it turned out they needed to see an on campus counselor or get a test before they could get home or get to a hospital in your insurance network, they could still be seen for a pretty reasonable fee. If your child was in any kind of serious medical distress, they’d need to go to a hospital anyway, as the campus health center isn’t really equipped to do anything too major. </p>
<p>It is a very good idea though to find out and go over with your daughter exactly what is available to her under your private insurance and where and how to access that if something goes wrong. I was fortunate to get through college without ever having to go to Health Services or to the hospital, and I think most students were like me. The worst we ever got were colds, hangovers, and the occasional stomach flu. But still, it’s best to be prepared.</p>
<p>Hey Upstate,
Where did you get this form?</p>
<p>We said no to all three and last year my daughter was sick quite a lot with a couple of lab tests but we didn’t exceed the $236. Luckily we live within driving distance so if she needed any real medical care we would bring her back to our doctor - neither she or her friends were particularly impressed with the health services!</p>
<p>I signed d up for the health service (but not Smith insurance). Figure we’ll try it for the first semester or year and see how it goes. There are a couple of services they offer for free that she can take advantage of and it will be more convenient than finding a doctor in town, even though there appears to be bunches of doctors who accept our insurance.</p>