Mandatory Health Insurance

Overview | Why the Requirement | Quality, Cost & Coverage | International Students | Enrollment | Dates of Coverage | Student Health Services | Optional Coverage |
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Why the Requirement

Emory's reasoning behind the mandatory health insurance requirement

• Why did Emory institute a mandatory insurance requirement for all students in Fall 2006?
  
  
• Why is Emory doing this when other universities are not?
  
  
• Why do Emory students need health insurance, when we can be seen for free at Student Health Services?
  
  

“Why did Emory institute a mandatory insurance requirement for all students in Fall 2006?”
Emory University has always strongly encouraged students to carry medical insurance. However, for several years we have been deeply concerned about our uninsured Emory students. When uninsured/underinsured students become seriously ill or injured, their academic careers are seriously threatened by substantial healthcare debt, disability or both. The University agrees, and now all Emory students across the university are required to have health insurance.

Why is Emory doing this when other universities are not?
Well, actually, Emory was the only university in the 2005 US News and World Report America's Best Colleges Top 20 without a mandatory health insurance requirement for all students.  In addition, the American College Health Association recommends that all colleges and universities require students to provide evidence that they have appropriate health insurance coverage.  As a result, there has been a very strong national movement towards mandatory health insurance for all students over the past 5 years.

Why do Emory students need health insurance, when we can be seen for free at Student Health Services?
Yes, visits to Student Health Services are free, but thinking that this is enough is a common and dangerous misconception.  While Emory Student Health Services provides excellent out-patient care for enrolled Emory students, EUSHS provides only out-patient primary care, short-term (but not long-term) counseling and psychiatry services.  If and when Emory students need specialist care, emergency services or hospitalization, the bills can run quickly into the tens of thousands of dollars.  Such unexpected expenses can derail, or even end, a promising academic career.