News Release
Southern Virginia University Announces Continuation of Student Health Insurance Plan
Southern Virginia University is pleased to announce the continuation of a partnership with national healthcare provider UnitedHealthcare to offer a voluntary student health insurance plan for the 2021-22 academic year.
The plan was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of the fall 2020 semester, and helped provide students access to quality, affordable healthcare as many families lost their health insurance coverage or needed additional coverage during the pandemic.
“Because student-athletes need to have insurance, this plan was very helpful for those that came in last year and did not have a good insurance plan,” said Athletics Director Deidra Dryden. “This is a great opportunity for the students that come in without insurance to purchase a plan that is affordable and has good coverage.”
By continuing to offer the student health insurance plan this academic year, students who do not have health insurance coverage, who may need additional coverage, or who are on Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and do not have any network providers near Buena Vista will have an accessible and affordable healthcare option.
“Many of our students, particularly those out west, are part of a network that has very select, local providers and doesn’t provide coverage in Virginia,” said Vice President and Senior Advisor Bob Huch, who helped lead the implementation of the plan. “Health-related problems are a big deal and to us, it’s important that students have proper coverage, which is why the student health plan we implemented is nationwide.”
The student health insurance plan is a voluntary, year-to-year plan beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31 for incoming and returning students in the Fall 2021 Semester. Incoming students for the Spring 2022 Semester may join at a prorated rate beginning in January 2022.
“In the end, it is all about providing students with good options,” said Huch. “It reduces risk and takes some of the worry off of a student’s plate should they ever need health care services, so they can focus on their academic work and better enjoy their college experience.”
The student health insurance program through United Healthcare will provide care in Buena Vista as well as anywhere in the United States. Plan details can be found online at www.firststudent.com. For additional questions, students can contact insurance broker RCM&D at so.VA@rcmd.com or call Tim Cummons at 800-346-4075 – ext 1452.