savma: to insure or not to insure, that is the thread topic

[twosoakers]

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Hi again,

Have people used the AVMA insurance? What are thoughts on it? Right now it's running $182/mo (basic dental is $12/mo).

Also, do schools standardly pay membership fees for SAVMA? Do I have to wait until classes start to enroll? (you need to be a member of SAVMA before you can get the insurance).

Alice

 

[pressmom]

Apparently we're (the students at UTK) are getting info in the next mailing to the class. Right now I'm doing COBRA with my current job and taking the UTK insurance (which is really crappy). We'll see what happens when the mailing comes...

 

[critterfixer]

pressmom, other than the almost non-existant prescription coverage ($500 per year???), what do you feel is crappy about the UTK United Health plan? Because we are dropping my husband's Blue Cross Blue Shield since it is MUCH cheaper, and the coverage looked pretty good to me. Maybe I am not understanding something. Please do elaborate.

 

[alliecat44]

Hi, guys,

Our AVMA insurance guy already contacted us by mail, and I've dealt with his office several times by phone. Most vet students do go with the AVMA insurance (unless their spouse has a better plan which will cover them). I'm kind of surprised that you haven't heard from your rep yet!

It's actually a pretty good deal, though with a $250 deductible for the PPO. A friend I knew who graduated from my school last year said she chose the AVMA insurance over the school's insurance because the AVMA--unlike the school--would cover her when she traveled home for breaks, to different places for externships, etc. You might want to check with your school's insurance on that if that's a concern for you!

The practice I was employed at no longer exists (as of July 1, 2007) and so I extended my coverage with them until August 1. I've applied for the AVMA short-term insurance--basically just for catastrophic illness--which is $80 for 30 days, from August 1 to September 1. My regular AVMA insurance will kick in on August 20 (first day of class) or September 1 (when my short-term coverage expires)--whichever I prefer. You're right, though--it won't kick in until you actually start classes.

Your AVMA rep should be on campus during the first couple of weeks to sort this stuff out.

As far as SCAVMA membership dues, I think that's another issue entirely and might depend on your school. However, you are definitely eligible for the AVMA's student PPO plan. 🙂

Hope that helps....

 

[twosoakers]

Thanks, Allie and all. My Purdue TA-ship insurance goes through the first week of August, I believe, so hopefully, the rep'll be there, waiting for my $200 bucks of student loan money.

Of course, I just saw Sicko, which is keeping me far away from BC/BS, KP, and every other major insurance company offered in CA. But I've read the AVMA restriction clauses, and they don't seem much different. I've never had problems getting insured in my life, but who knows. I've had essentially free insurance from Purdue the past three years, with a medical center right on campus (if you have an emergency, the EMT guys come in fire engines. It's a hoot).