VALLEY COLLEGE : Low-Cost Insurance for Students

A new health plan will give vocational students at Valley College in Van Nuys medical insurance at a savings of between 80% and 90% over regular fees.

The Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Project Transition Student Health Insurance Plan was created for students enrolled in approved vocational/occupational majors at the college, said Lou Albert, director of student services.

Albert, head of the joint effort that gave Valley the plan, said the program was created to assist full-time students who have no access to medical insurance, many of whom leave school to find employment that does not provide coverage.

There are some low-cost plans for students, he said, but the policies carry many limitations. The new plan, like those of other Health Maintenance Organizations, covers 100% of hospitalization, maternity care, mental health, prescriptions, optometry services, office visits, lab work and X-rays.

Students must provide proof of current full-time registration at Valley. Income restrictions also apply, Albert said.

The plan is designed for low- and moderate-income students. Those who qualify will pay as little as $9.53 per month for a single subscriber, not to exceed $38.18 per month, Albert said. A family of three will pay a minimum of $16.68 per month. The maximum amount any family will pay is $66.82.

Students who qualify will pay varying rates.

The coverage cannot be used to supplement other insurance.

It is limited to continuing Valley students who are not on academic probation.

Subscribers can continue their coverage at the low rates for up to two years, as long as they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Between 500 and 700 memberships in the plan are available for the current school year.

“We’re concerned that we’ll get swamped with people who will apply who aren’t eligible,” said Glenn Hisayasu, dean of student affairs. “We hope they’ll take the time to read through the material. It feels bad to say no.”