Avma-ghlit

[mokadet]

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Does anyone have this health insurance offered through AVMA? I'm in the market and wanted some feedback. Positive/Negative. Thanks!

 

[chris03333]

Does anyone have this health insurance offered through AVMA? I'm in the market and wanted some feedback. Positive/Negative. Thanks!

I had it, canceled it because it was too expensive and did not cover enough.

 

[MonkeyJunction]

Will you not be covered through KSUCVM student policy? Is that not included in your tuition? At UC Davis it is automatically included in tuition.

 

[Boxsterluv]

We actually had a representative from AVMA-GHLIT come speak to us today... He had some good things to say about it, basically it has a 250 deductible, 80/20 up to 2K, so during one calendar year the most you are out of pocket (on top of your monthly expense) is 2250, and a good thing is that it's portable, like, from state to state, so if you move after graduation, you don't have to change policies and face the possibility of not being picked up by another insurance company (like if you were diagnosed with diabetes or something during school). The lifetime payout is something super high like 2 million, so that's a good thing. I think somebody asked him how much it was per month and he quoted something like 165, but I can't be sure of that. He was offering medical insurance and disability insurance, but I don't think that he was offering vision or dental, and he also didn't address rx's, so I don't know if you'd have to get a sep plan for that or what. The guy made it sound pretty good, but of course, that's his job, so you'd have to read the material on it.... Hope this helps!

 

[ReinaDeLuz]

We actually had a representative from AVMA-GHLIT come speak to us today... He had some good things to say about it, basically it has a 250 deductible, 80/20 up to 2K, so during one calendar year the most you are out of pocket (on top of your monthly expense) is 2250, and a good thing is that it's portable, like, from state to state, so if you move after graduation, you don't have to change policies and face the possibility of not being picked up by another insurance company (like if you were diagnosed with diabetes or something during school). The lifetime payout is something super high like 2 million, so that's a good thing. I think somebody asked him how much it was per month and he quoted something like 165, but I can't be sure of that. He was offering medical insurance and disability insurance, but I don't think that he was offering vision or dental, and he also didn't address rx's, so I don't know if you'd have to get a sep plan for that or what. The guy made it sound pretty good, but of course, that's his job, so you'd have to read the material on it.... Hope this helps!

he mentioned to our class that you can add vision and dental (together) for about 15 or 16 dollars a month. they have more comprehensive packages too, for like 20 to 25 dollars a month (for vision and dental) so there you go 🙂

the reason im not going to go for their plan is because they don't cover maternity. not that i'm pregnant or have ANY intention of becoming pregnant any time soon, but i am married and well, accidents happen!

 

[are_jay]

I am going with the AVMA plan. It is actually a _little_ more expensive than OK State's plan (which is only 60% of the cost of Colorado State's plan when I was there, so really either one sounds like a good deal compared to the >$700/semester I forked over to CSU.) My deciding factor is the benefits--normal school plans don't cover chiropractic, The Pill, immunzations, allergy meds (or anything preventative) and AVMA does. (Also if you are out on externship the network is nationwide and you will be covered.) So for me, that's $70/month for my allergy meds right there, minus the copay means I'm basically paying (130 - 55 =) ~$75/month. But yeah if you're married and have a bigger family in the future, they don't pay for normal maternity (we were told they cover if there are complications, but....)

We were told about 80% of vet students and vets are covered by it. But like everything else, it is not for everyone 🙂

 

[kate_g]

normal school plans don't cover chiropractic, The Pill, immunzations, allergy meds (or anything preventative)

This will vary. I only know about UC Berkeley's plan, which isn't a vet school, but they're actually very good about covering preventative stuff, including hormonal contraceptives, immunizations, etc. There's an allergy clinic which I assume is covered to some extent. Dunno about chiropractic, but there's a PT clinic on campus that's covered if you have a referral. Anyway, I suspect there's great variability between schools in terms of what they cover and also how good the campus health services are (at my undergrad, they were a total joke; Berkeley's actually seem very good), so you've just gotta do the research...

(Getting covered by a spouse's plan - if they have a job with benefits - can also be cheaper. AND if you live someplace pretty liberal you may find that your bf/gf's job will cover you as a "domestic partner" even if you're not gay.)

 

[are_jay]

This will vary. I only know about UC Berkeley's plan, which isn't a vet school, but they're actually very good about covering preventative stuff, including hormonal contraceptives, immunizations, etc. There's an allergy clinic which I assume is covered to some extent. Dunno about chiropractic, but there's a PT clinic on campus that's covered if you have a referral. Anyway, I suspect there's great variability between schools in terms of what they cover and also how good the campus health services are (at my undergrad, they were a total joke; Berkeley's actually seem very good), so you've just gotta do the research...

(Getting covered by a spouse's plan - if they have a job with benefits - can also be cheaper. AND if you live someplace pretty liberal you may find that your bf/gf's job will cover you as a "domestic partner" even if you're not gay.)

ah yes, I do miss CA. a lot. None of that stuff was covered when I was in Colorado, and it is nearly identical to the plan OK State offers.
There is a list of Drs in the plan (access via the GLHIT website). Has an option to search by city and specialty, and just about all the chiropractors in this town are on it. It also looks like there is a list of states whose residents cannot participate. Other than that, I think the benefits are uniform state-to-state. I agree that individual school plans vary, and that can be good or not depending on individual needs.

 

[VAgirl]

I'm looking at these plans right now and I have some questions.

1. The lady I talked to sent me info but not anything on premiums. Does anyone know what the premiums are for an individual and for individual + spouse?
2. I assume all schools have some option of student health insurance. Is this correct?
3. Earlier in this thread someone said that UC Davis health insurance is included in the cost of tuition. Is this true?
4. When I was at UC Davis, they said that the school doesn't offer a health insurance option for individual + spouse. Is this correct?
5. Does anyone know if any other schools (specifically VMRCVM, Iowa State, Kansas State, UW-Wisconsin) don't offer a school based insurance plan that has a spousal coverage option?

Also, if anyone has any opinions about the SAVMA-GHLIT plan (especially in comparison to the health insurance plans offered by the schools listed above) I would be very interested in hearing it. Thanks!

 

[soxbox]

I do have the avma health insurance... just started it in jan... had CSUs school insurance last semester... I have to say it is better than the school plan, and you are guaranteed to be covered as a student... however... basically if you had anything more than a cold in the last 5 years, they will consider it a pre-existing condition and your premiums will go up (though they cap it at 50% in addition to the lowest premium)... I believe the lowest premium per month is just around $140 for a single person, the highest is $215 per month. I have no idea what additional family members add on. I am thinking I will be switching back to the school insurance come the fall... this one is just a little to pricey for me (yes, i was deemed to have a pre-existing condition) If you happen to need expensive meds, I think the drug max is $500 per year, which one of my friends used up in a bit more than a month!

If you have more specific questions, feel free to PM me... I have the giant packet they sent so I can look through that to find specifics!

 

[CookieBear]

I switched to the AVMA plan as of January 1. So far, I'm fine with it, although I haven't had (knock on wood) any issues.

I like their Medco prescription drug plan so far. I'm paying less for a higher-tier Pill than I was before, so that's made me happy.

The reason I switched is, because even though I'm charged their maximum premium, it's still less $$ than my husband to pay for me on his plan.

The exclusion on pre-existing conditions can be overcome/eliminated IF you can prove prior, continuous coverage (as I had). If you had a lapse in medical coverage, yes, you'll get stuck on pre-existings. I never had a lapse, so I forwarded a copy of a proof of insurance certificate from my previous carrier, and that sufficed.

Definitely use your school's AVMA GHLIT representative to your advantage, rather than doing stuff yourself direct with the AVMA. If you use the representative, they will keep copies of stuff on hand that you might need later on, and they can be your go-between so you can focus on school and not on insurance crap.

You might need to be persistent with them, depending on how busy they are, and your situation, but I was grateful for our rep's assistance.



(I don't have the dental, just the medical plan. Husband's dental plan was better and less $$.)

 

[alonepear]

Definitely use your school's AVMA GHLIT representative to your advantage, rather than doing stuff yourself direct with the AVMA.

This advice is GOLDEN. I've recently enrolled in the GHLIT, and communicating with them via mail and telephone has been such a pain, trying to get it started on the correct date, and get my automatic billing straightened out... but working with my local school GHLIT rep has been so much easier. I can just email her my questions, concerns and needs, and she either takes care of it all herself, or lets me know exactly what I need to do. I can't emphasize enough how much easier she has made transitioning to this new plan.

I can't comment on how well the plan works in the real world, as I've just barely gotten into it. I was excited because all of my previous doctors are still covered by it, and also because I haven't exactly had dental insurance in a while.... 😳

 

[mekia02]

Hi I am looking for more info on this insurance. If you have experience with AVMA GHILT please add to this thread, especially those with chronic or pre-existing conditions. I am covered by my grad school insurance now until Sept and I am looking for comprehensive coverage. I will be forced to get regular student health insurance through my school, this will be nothing more than a waste of money to me but that’s another story. I need something that will cover relatively inexpensive medication, would allow me to see an assortment of specialists and have no limitations on doctor visits, and of course should not leave me financially destitute if I have an emergency or need to be hospitalized. I would be absolutely fine paying the highest premium stated in a previous post -$215. Most private insurance companies won't cover me with in the 1st year b/c of the pre-existing conditions, and the GHILT exclusion does look pretty good. So are there any other students who wouldn't mind giving their review of this insurance?

I have already contacted the local agent, he told me that there was no underwriting on this insurance and that all students are accepted. However when I received the little pamphlet he mailed me it did ask medical history (underwriting?) and if I understood correctly there was a line that talked about premiums being higher, AND/OR the possibility of ineligibility. I am not sure if I misunderstood, or if this is something new. I will be contacting him again with specific questions but I also wanted some 1st hand information from other vet students.

Thanks

 

[CookieBear]

Hi I am looking for more info on this insurance. If you have experience with AVMA GHILT please add to this thread, especially those with chronic or pre-existing conditions. I am covered by my grad school insurance now until Sept and I am looking for comprehensive coverage. I will be forced to get regular student health insurance through my school, this will be nothing more than a waste of money to me but that's another story. I need something that will cover relatively inexpensive medication, would allow me to see an assortment of specialists and have no limitations on doctor visits, and of course should not leave me financially destitute if I have an emergency or need to be hospitalized. I would be absolutely fine paying the highest premium stated in a previous post -$215. Most private insurance companies won't cover me with in the 1st year b/c of the pre-existing conditions, and the GHILT exclusion does look pretty good. So are there any other students who wouldn't mind giving their review of this insurance?

I have already contacted the local agent, he told me that there was no underwriting on this insurance and that all students are accepted. However when I received the little pamphlet he mailed me it did ask medical history (underwriting?) and if I understood correctly there was a line that talked about premiums being higher, AND/OR the possibility of ineligibility. I am not sure if I misunderstood, or if this is something new. I will be contacting him again with specific questions but I also wanted some 1st hand information from other vet students.

Thanks

I think I can answer many of your questions... here goes.

I have a major pre-existing condition, and I've had the AVMA GHLIT coverage since Jan 1.

They will not deny you the GHLIT medical plan based on your condition, but they CAN charge you the maximum allowable premium, which is somewhere around $215 or $250/month right now. (I get charged the max).

They CAN exclude coverage on a pre-existing condition IF you have had a lapse in coverage. They would still enroll you in the plan, but whatever stuff you have done related to that pre-existing condition would not be covered. However, if you can show proof of previous, continuous coverage, you're OK. (You ask your previous carrier for a 'proof of coverage' certificate, that's all). I strongly encourage you to use your student rep, so you don't have to worry about mailing and faxing and keeping copies of all your documents. The rep can assist you with that stuff.

So, yes, they audit your previous medical records (and I believe it's so they can figure out how much to bang you out for on premiums... lucky us!) but they won't deny you enrollment. See above.

If you want life insurance (yourself, or yourself + spouse) they can choose to take you or not, based on the medical history they audit. So, for example, you can enroll in the health insurance plan, but you may be denied life insurance, if you want it - and they don't want you.

As far as the coverage:
You can go to anyone in their big broad nationwide network (I think it's pretty comprehensive... all my docs, both here and in KS, participate) and pay the same office co-pay. No referral needed for a specialist.

The medicine coverage is yucky. There's a cap of... uhh... $500? or $1200 I can't remember. Per year. So, once you hit that, they won't pay out more. With that said, I feel they have decent coverage for the meds I take. Singulair, for example, is cheaper on this Medco plan than it ever was on my old Blue Cross Blue Shield rx plan I had. And an upper tier med I take is also pretty fairly priced.

That $250 deductible doesn't seem like much until you start going to docs. Fun. But I guess it could be worse. You can call their 800# and they will tell you where you're at on meeting yours, if you wish to know, as a member.

I think I answered much of what you wanted. So, if you've had a lapse in coverage, they'll still take you, but won't cover you on anything related to XYZ disease/condition/whatever. But if you've had continuous coverage, they'll waive their exclusion and charge you the premium they deem appropriate... but again, there's that max. (But, FYI, the premiums went up this year... for everyone. Was the first time, I was told, it had been raised in awhile).

Hope this helps!

 

[Capella]

For those of us in our 20s and no pre-existing conditions, finding insurance with another company besides AVMA GHLIT is cheaper. This is not surprising considering they don't have a huge number of policy holders pumping money into their coffers.

I'll probably switch over to this insurance when I'm older and have an actual income.😀