-- Duplicative Mandatory Coverage: At some schools, students are required to purchase the school-sponsored plans even if the student has comparable coverage under the student's own or the parents' health insurance plan.

-- Exclusions: Many of the school-sponsored plans carry provisions that exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Many plans provide also provide no coverage for preventative services.


"Many of the sponsored health care plans looked at during our investigation leave students at risk while providing massive profits for insurance companies," said Attorney General Cuomo in the release. "It is important for students to have adequate health care coverage to protect themselves during times of illness or injury, but a bad health insurance plan can have catastrophic and long-lasting effects on a young person's life. By being informed of the problematic practices that currently exist in the industry, schools can negotiate for better health plans, and students and their families can be better equipped to select the coverage that is best for them."

AG Cuomo is continuing the investigation, and offers a website concerning the investigation, www.NYStudentHealth.com, as well as phone numbers and e-mail addresses where students can submit concerns they have regarding their plans or brokers. The contact information can be found on the AG's website.

Adapted in part from AG Cuomo's press release:
Link: http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/apr/apr8a_10.html

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