Discovering emerging trends in student healthcare

In a bid to improve products and services for colleges and universities students in the US, Risk Strategies Student Health Practice is conducting a new survey which it hopes will help shape future policy when it comes to health insurance.

Representatives from American colleges and universities will be asked to take part in the survey and answer questions on key topics including enrolment, benefits for student health plans and services. The consulting firm believes it’s the first time that student health insurance costs and associated trends have been the focus of such a big study.

How will this help the industry?

“There’s a real need for better data around student health insurance,” said Elizabeth Marks, Senior Strategy Consultant for AHP. “These insights will help institutions make more informed decisions about their student health plans and needed services.

“We urge all university and college benefit leaders to participate in this important survey that will provide the entire industry with valuable insights and guidance,” Marks added.

Questions will look at increases in cost, deductibles and the use of telehealth and the company believes that finding out about student needs in a post-pandemic marketplace is vital for the nation’s 4,000 colleges and universities as well as the 19 million students they serve. 

The survey also asks respondents to note priorities for the coming school year, including interest in offering behavioural telehealth services and how to increase enrolment in institution-provided health insurance programmes.

“Insights from this survey will help colleges and universities build better healthcare benefit programs for their institutions and students,” Terry Lyons, Managing Director of Risk Strategies Student Health Practice, explained. “While it only takes a few minutes to complete the survey, the data we gather will be beneficial to all.

“Student health programmes are about more than insurance – they should be designed to set students up for long-term success with the protection of their physical, mental and financial health.”

Earlier this year, the company acquired Specialty Insurance Solutions (SIS), allowing it to expand capabilities in its national student health practice. SIS offers specialty products and services focused on student health insurance programs, sport accident insurance, and student travel insurance.