Hello,
We are a family making 250,000 with 2 children. My daughter was accepted at Cornell and although 60,000 + is a sacrifice when you consider it is about a fourth of our yearly income, we decided we wanted to do it for her because she had worked so hard in high school. We looked at all information about costs and never saw anything about student health insurance if they do not deem yours comparable to the university one. My husband is employed by a bank and we have an HRA through united which we pay a sizable premium for but it does have 80% after deductible or 60% after deductible if non provider. The deductible is about 7,000 but company puts about 1600 in the HRA for us and we contribute to a flexible health account as well. We have really never met our deductible or gone over the 1600 in the HRA but of course we do see providers so the rate is negotiated. I really do not see if I am ok with my policy and am responsible with paying my deductibles and having hra cover the rest why I should be forced to get this policy. Especially since this is all news to me and I never saw this or was told in 2 tours that I attended. I saw books, room & board student fees. Why would fee of 2200 not be listed?? We are responsible parents who have insurance and pay our bills. I do not see how this is acceptable. I am ok with paying the 350.00 which everyone seemed to be protesting but to be told they don’t consider my insurance adequate and told that I will have to pay again to cover my daughter I already pay a premium for seems ridiculous. I could see if I had no insurance but this is the best policy our employer offers and seems to be fine for all the employees if this large bank. Please advise if anyone has had a similar situation. P.S. Did see the Ithica area does have providers for my insurance so it would be covered 80 after deductible.
Did Cornell tell you specifically that your insurance policy does not meet their standard? Ugh. I am going to try to waive this as well and up to this point, I don’t anticipate a problem but I am a bit worried about this. We live in Illinois and I have made sure that there is in-network coverage for my D in Ithaca.
I totally agree with you–it doesn’t make any sense to double pay IMHO.
You will receive an email close to the fall for health insurance survey. One question specifically is about deductible of the health insurance. The threshold is around 2,500 if my memoery serves well. The survey is annual.
Unless it’s something serious, Cornell health center should be able to take care with little charge, like 10~15 collards for flu related visit. In-network will handle the rest of it. That’s how we normally used Cornell health center and our own health insurance.
I am pretty certain you can get a waiver if you have insurance through your company.
Both of my nephews have insurance through Cornell because their parents wouldn’t have to pay into their company insurance if there is no child on the policy. My brother said SHIP is very comprehensive and they are happy with the insurance. I was able to get a waiver each year, but I may put D2 on sHIP next year because she is the only dependent on my insurance now and I am not happy with my company’s insurance coverage.
You can put in for waiver already. It is on to do list for first year students. I was denied because of 70% criteria. My insurance covers 80 in network, 60 out of network. I also found in network providers. The criteria does not specify in or out of network and deductible is not mentioned at all. I understand the universities concern but i don’t believe my coverage is very different than a lot of others out there and know that my child will be fine with it just as she is here. I would not send her with it otherwise.
If I were you, I would call the Gannett. They were very helpful whenever I called. I missed the waiver deadline one year and they were able to waive the penalty.
Well I filled out the waiver yesterday but I think we will be denied because of the out of network criteria. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and it’s a very good policy. Will just have to wait and see I guess…Don’t really want to pay the $2K for this. 
@TiggyB62 We also have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and there are plenty of in-network providers in the immediate Ithaca area.
You can use their website to view providers http://provider.bcbs.com/ it shows me 200 doctors within 25 miles of Ithaca, NY.
@weaver59 yes thanks and I have also checked for BCBS providers in Ithaca and was glad there are so many, however, my plan, I think, does not meet the standards for what Cornell wants in terms of out of network coverage percentages. But since there are so many in-network providers it makes no sense that my D would go to an out of network doctor. I guess there are unforeseen emergencies, though. I’m waiting to hear back to see if the waiver was accepted.
Was approved for waiver with high deductible plan and only 70% in-network coverage after satisfaction of $7K deductible. Lots of providers in local area. You all had me in a panic for a moment as I hadn’t planned on spending $2K for SHIP.
@oldfort – if you move your D off your company insurance, does SHIP provide 12 month coverage?
Just got the email that we were approved for the waiver also.
And yes, @CT1417, I believe SHIP is 12 months coverage.
It’s from Aug to Aug. My company told me I would be able to move my D off my insurance even though it is from Jan to Jan. SHIP insurance would be 1000 more than what I am paying now, but it’s out of network deductible is only 150. SHIP maybe a better deal for my kid. SHIP also have few additional benefits my insurance doesn’t cover, like emergency air transportation and overseas medical insurance.
Recently we met a someone in Mexico, he fell and broke his hips. He had to pay out of pocket first to get operated (45K) on and then pay close to 40K to be air lifted back to the US. His operation was reimbursed by his insurance, but not his air ambulance back to the states. When students study abroad, SHIP is probably more comprehensive than our insuance.
Thanks for the info @oldfort. Will keep that in mind if he ever studies abroad. For now, we are better off on one family medical plan, since all expenses accumulate toward the deductible. And I am happy to not have to learn a second health insurance plan.
Fearing a mishap on an active vacation in Costa Rica, I purchased travel accident insurance, but an accident could happen anywhere, not just when zip lining or white water rafting.
Congrats to all of you who got approved. I have been denied and my coverage sounds similar to yours. Just curious we have a united healthcare with high deductible too. 80% in network 60%out of network. Second time denied b/c it says no proof of insurance. I’m getting pretty tired
Sorry you got denied. What do you mean by “no proof of insurance”? I supplied my plan ID# and my group number for BCBS and I imagine they verified what I input into the waiver form.
I have United for me and my kids through my employer and was approved last year. Not sure though if we have the same deductibles.
I just looked at our UHC coverage and we only have $500 deductibles for in-network and $1000 for out-of-network. I’m getting nervous about this that cornell might denied us too. I am not planning to pay another 2K.
@sofla1 – We have 70% coinsurance AFTER $7K deductible and were approved. Does your plan not have providers in the Ithaca area? That is the only thing I can think of…
Uch we waived last year, freshman D got really sick and the nearest hospital in our network was in a tiny place 50 miles away. Not doing that again!
Just wanted to update. I contacted student health services who did a review and approved my waiver. There are plenty of providers in area and 5 star urgent care as well. Also my plan not sure if everyone’s does have negotiated rates with non providers under some shared program. I believe Cayuga medical center is listed in that program. So I would get contracted rates, the plan would only cover 60% after deductible but again might not need.