Science & Outdoors
Wisconsin residents’ health insurance rises again
The Pointer
kbose675@uwsp.edu
Students nearing graduation at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus may face rising health care costs as they enter the working world. Many students do not realize that upon graduation, they will no longer be covered under their parents’ health insurance plan and must begin planning for health care coverage on their own.
Citizen Action of Wisconsin released their third annual Wisconsin Health Insurance Cost Ranking Report on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Citizen Action of Wisconsin is an issue-focused coalition of individuals and organizations committed to achieving social, economic and environmental justice.
North Central Wisconsin had the second highest health insurance premiums throughout the state, averaging at $674.98 for single monthly premiums. Stevens Point, along with Wausau, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids all tied for the fourth most expensive, with average single monthly premiums being $636.70.
The report also stated that Wisconsin health insurance inflation has been 30 percent above the national average since 2000. Stevens Point had a 151 percent insurance inflation increase from 2000 to 2009.
“The striking numbers in this report bring down to the regional and local level the huge economic price we are paying for health insurance hyperinflation in Wisconsin,” said Robert Kraig, director of programs for Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “It shows that the run-up in health insurance costs that began a decade ago has been a heavy burden for Wisconsin businesses and families.”
During the interval between the time a student graduates from college and begins their job, they have two primary options for acquiring health insurance. One option is a continuation of benefits from their parents’ health insurer and the second option is individual short-term health insurance policies.
“A key difference between continuation and short-term plans is that continuation covers pre-existing medical conditions whereas short-term plans do not. With a short term plan, you are essentially buying accident insurance to make sure you have some protection against unforeseen injuries and mishaps,” said Jorge Gomez, commissioner of insurance in a 2004 press release.
The full report, which includes many additional city and county rankings, can be downloaded at www.citizenactionwi.org.
