There have been lots of health care changes in the past few months. Yesterday, they got even more local.
If you are on the Columbia health care plan, like almost all of you are, you are covered by Aetna Student Health. Aetna is the company that makes sure you don’t have to pay a lot of money for a real-doctor or hospital visit after the folks in John Jay tell you to take two Advil and suck it up, is experiencing some changes. Over two months ago, on April 5, Continuum Health Partners (which includes St. Lukes Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center – Petrie Division, Beth Israel Medical Center – Kings Highway Division, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, and Long Island College Hospital) “terminated its relationship with Aetna.” You will have all gotten a rather long-winded email about this in the last day or two.
But what does it mean? If you go to the hospitals in Continuum (that’s after August 5, you will have to pay a whole lot more for whatever help you get there than you would have last year. Hospitals not included in Continuum will still be covered by Aetna, as will 80% of emergency services at all hospitals. You may still be eligible for “transitional services,” which depends entirely on the Continuum hospitals accepting the same rates that were in place before this change, and the hospitals accepting your request for transitional coverage.
So this is a big deal, and we have some questions. How likely is it that these transitional services will be granted, and for how long? Are there any other changes afoot? How much can we expect to pay for a CAVA call next year? We called Health Services to try to figure this stuff out, but they referred us to a “Media Request Form” that Bwog is filling out now. We’ll update you if and when we get answers.
Update, 6/25: At last, a response from Health Services. Doesn’t tell you much that’s not in the email, but take a look:
Health Services recognizes and shares students’ concerns about the message sent by Aetna Student Health on the contract termination between Aetna and Continuum Health Partners. The notice was intended to provide information on care that a student may receive at a Continuum hospital, laboratory or outpatient clinic.
Please be assured that students’ insurance coverage has not been terminated. Also please note that services provided by Continuum physicians within the Aetna Student Health network are not affected by this change.
Services provided by Continuum facilities including hospitals, labs and radiology are still covered by Aetna, but at the lower out-of-network rate. This may increase out-of-pocket expenses, and students should keep that in mind if they receive care at any of the Continuum sites listed. We regret that we cannot be more precise about the effects on out-of-pocket costs, but the terms are still being negotiated by Continuum and Aetna. Students have the option of seeking services at other facilities within the Aetna network. Students can find alternatives by linking to the Aetna Student Health “Docfind” site from the insurance section of the Health Services website at www.health.columbia.edu. As always, it’s recommended that students verify their financial responsibility for services in advance.
Read the full email from Aetna after the jump. Read more…
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