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University Daily Kansan Tuesday, May 17, 1960
Married Students Accept New Blue Cross Bid
Married students have decided to accept the pending ASC Blue Cross-Blue Shield plan which includes maternity benefits and also to absorb the increase in rates.
Married students last night discussed the proposed plan with two representatives of the company and members of the Student Health Committee at the Kansas Union.
THE ASC WILL VOTE tonight on
three motions made in council meeting last week which proposed withdrawal of some benefits from the present policy to prevent the cost from being exorbitant for the average student's budget.
Gene Snyder, area manager, and Duane Laird, district representative of Blue Cross-Blue Shield, explained that several unanticipated factors have necessitated the increase in fees for the University's group plan.
Snyder said that in the first 13 months the program was in operation at KU, $49.305 was paid in by the students and $64.461 was paid out for medical care by the company.
"THERE WERE several reasons for this," he said. "We anticipated more students going to Watkins Hospital, rather than going elsewhere. There were more maternity cases than we had anticipated (69 cases, requiring 359 days of hospitalization at a cost to the company of $9,956). Generally speaking, everything was higher than we had anticipated."
He said that for this reason, the company would have to reassess their costs in order to balance this deficit.
Proposed Change Hikes Rates
Current Proposed Program (by Company)
Current Proposed Program (by Company)
Annual Rates
Single Family
Blue Cross $16.40 88.50
Blue Shield 11.80 65.00
Total 28.20 153.50
Proposed Modifications by Student Health Committee
(Subtract from total above)
1. $15 deductible per admission in hospitals other than Watkins
   Other than Obstetrics 1.80 3.20
   Obstetrics 6.00
Total 1.80 9.20
2. $25 deductible per admission in hospitals other than Watkins
   Other than O.B. 2.80 5.20
   O.B. 10.00
Total 2.80 15.20
3. $50 deductible per admission,
   C.B. only 20.00
4. Eliminate O.B. coverage
Blue Cross 60.00
Blue Shield 24.00
Total 84.00
5. Reduce days covered from
365 to 120 .70 1.80
6. Supplemental accident 1.20 3.20
7. Eliminate Drug coverage 4.20 18.50
8. 60% Drug coverage 1.70 1.70
9. Eliminate diagnostic X-ray .90 3.00
10. Diagnostic X-ray, Watkins only .40 2.50
11. Exclude Pre-Existing conditions 1.00 3.00
12. 8 Month Waiting Period —
Pre-Existing conditions .50 1.50
Suggested Package 28.20 153.50
(deducting 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10) -6.80 -98.40
21.40 55.10
Present Rate $17.50 $97.25
When things get too close for comfort
THE QUESTION of dependent treatment by Watkins Hospital is unsettled. There have been some reports that dependents of members of the program have been turned away by the hospital; others that they have not.
- Old Spice Stick Deodorant brings you safe, sure, all-day protection!
- Better than roll-ons that skip.
- Better than sprays that drip.
- Better than creams that are greasy and messy.
Medlock stated that he is going to recommend that the motion for elimination of the obstetric coverage not be passed, i.e. retain the maternity care coverage.
Mr. Snyder condensed the contrasting rates for family in this manner:
WITH THE SAME coverage, the proposed increase in the annual rate of the policy would be from $17.50 to $28.20 for single students and from $97.25 to $153.50 for the family plan.
By land or by sea-you need this Social Security!
Present plan with obstetrics $153.50
Modified plan with obstetrics 139.10
Present plan without obstetrics 64.30
Modified plan without obstetrics
The meeting adjourned with Medlock announcing his intended recommendation at tonight's ASC meeting. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m., 408 Summerfield. Interested parties are welcome at attend the proceedings.
Even with the increase, including maternity coverage, the rates for family would still be less than a non-group policy (comparable policy is $176.40 with less benefits).
The Student Health Committee's proposal is to eliminate several benefits to be subtracted from the new rate. This would set the fee at $21.40 for the single students and $55.10 for the family plan.
I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.—Keats
Of the considerable number of married students who have contacted Medlock. 92% are in favor of retaining maternity coverage.
LAST LECTURE SERIES
Speaker:
Dr. Franklyn Nelick
Assoc. Prof. of English
Wed., May 18th 7:30
Jayhawk Room Union
with CHARLES DRAKE · GEORGE TOBIAS · HENRY MORGAN
FRANCES LANGFORD-LOUIS ARMSTRONG-DENE KRUPA-BEN POLLACK-THE MODERNAIRES
ANTHONY MANNY - VALINTIN DAVENE - GASCAR BONJORNE - AKUNG OURSIGNER
---
WONDERFUL CO-HIT Rock Hudson in "BACK TO GOD'S COUNTRY"
PERI for hour Call numi ion.
GRANADA Wednesday!
A MA
A HU
utilit
QUII
PRUI
no o
like
VI 2.
Starts
ENDS TONITE: "OUR MAN IN HAVANA"