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For the past two years, Youngstown State University has offered students health insurance coverage from the Canton-based provider, Aultra Administrative Group. This plan is serviced through the Victor H. Buck and Guy G. Latessa Insurance Agencies.

The existence of this plan has been fairly low-key, which could be a hindrance to students who may actually need it.

“I didn't know there was one,” said junior Siera Jackson.

Jackson's response falls in line with the majority of students on campus that have never heard about YSU's health insurance plan. Out of over 13,000 students attending YSU this semester, only “150 are currently enrolled in the plan,” said insurance agent Guy G. Latessa.

When asked about the apparent lack of knowledge regarding the health plan, Latessa wasn't surprised. He said YSU has not done as much as they could to get the word out to the students.

“We have attempted to contact The Jambar several times this summer about running an ad in the paper, but have not gotten a response yet,” said Latessa.

Information is readily available on the YSU homepage. Yet to access it, a student must navigate to the section of student health services, which is buried in the menu bar.

Another possible reason for the lack of knowledge about the plan could be a lack of interest from commuter students who, traditionally, do not need it. “Because a large population [of the students] live off campus, many have insurance through their parents … or employer,” said Latessa.

Even so, the tide seems to be changing slightly. In the beginning of the fall semester, YSU sent a bulk e-mail advertisement on the CUE mail system, which Latessa said resulted in an influx of new applications.

Despite the lack of fanfare, YSU has offered a health plan for several years. Originally it was offered through Bollinger Insurance until the switch was made to Aultra two years ago.

“The Aultra premium was more competitive,” said Latessa. The Aultra Group was brought to their attention because of the positive feedback received from its dealings with Walsh University.

The coverage periods for the Aultra plan run from Aug. 1 through Jan. 12 for fall and Jan. 12 through July 31 for spring enrollment. The cost of fall semester coverage is $446. The cost of the spring coverage is $546. Latessa said winter and spring breaks are included in this coverage.

The best element to the plan, said Latessa, is that “students are covered … through Aug. 1, even if they graduate, which gives them plenty of time to find a job and gain coverage through them.”

The details of the insurance policy are decided by Latessa in conjunction with Jack Fahey of student services and nurse supervisor, Sue Ferrier.

“The University wanted the plan to be comprehensive, but also wanted students to be able to afford it,” said Latessa.

The plan is based around a Preferred Provider Organization system, which provides covered students with a list of doctors, hospitals and other services fully paid for by the agency. Latessa said the list is comprehensive, covering most doctors, hospitals and drug stores in the area.

The deductible of the plan is $100, after which, barring exclusions, the bills will be paid for in full. The breadth of these exclusions is outlined in the brochure for the plan, but mainly deal with situations when either the medical bill is already covered through another party [work, car insurance, school] or if the ailment was incurred through illegal activity. If a student decides to go to a doctor outside of the PPO list, the deductible is $250 and the bill is then split evenly between agency and student.

Latessa said he does not see coverage changing from year to year, though he added that premiums do change. However, he said that in the future he could not guarantee that Aultra would be the carrier.

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