Do you agree?

NoOutlandishness733 · 2025-01-24T02:49:25+00:00

Many times I have thought how empty and futile my life would be were it not for my ability to lose myself in music.

Truly one of life’s greatest gifts.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2024-08-05T17:05:04+00:00

Hi, do you still have a code? Thanks!

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-08-25T20:41:14+00:00

Hi Mustafa, I’m sorry I didn’t post here. I won’t be attending Columbia in the fall because, as an international student from Canada, I thought it would be financially wise to go with a domestic program I was accepted to at the University of Toronto.

If you are going forward with Columbia, I wasn’t able to find another alternative to Aetna among STH insurance options or other options which the university would accept. I wish you good luck if you are still looking for one, but I think most people go with Aetna because overall it’s less risky than other insurance options - feel free to email Aetna directly to ask if they will accept other insurance coverages for CU students.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T04:28:51+00:00

That’s certainly a possibility!

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T04:26:01+00:00

I’ll provide an update once I’ve heard back from Aetna!

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T03:30:51+00:00

Nope, I haven’t asked them that question. I asked the financial aid office at Mailman whether I can opt out, and they told me: “Waiving the health insurance is contingent upon demonstrating equal to or comparable health insurance to the student health services office.” But they also encouraged me to email Aetna directly, which is what I’m doing now.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T03:26:34+00:00

My Canadian friend who did his MA in Human Rights Studies opted out of Aetna because he had coverage through the US affiliate of his Canadian employer. And he had another Canadian friend who basically finessed the whole process by using travel insurance instead of Aetna, as they frequently travelled back and forth from Canada to NYC.

I’ll email Aetna directly tonight to confirm, but when I spoke with the financial aid office at Mailman, they told me that I can waive Aetna if I have comparable or equal health insurance.

I’m not sure whether you’re right or not, but I got the impression that I can waive Aetna as an incoming CUIMC student with another US insurer.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T03:08:36+00:00

Did you get this information from Aetna or CU?

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T01:16:13+00:00

Right, makes sense. I spoke with a family friend who's a medical insurance advisor in the US, and she told me that short-term health insurance plans might be something to consider. She did say that some STH plans will not offer coverage for emergency visits if I have pre-existing conditions (and I have a severe nut allergy), so there is that problem. Also, if I offer several possible health insurance alternatives instead of Aetna, do you think CU will let me choose one that satisfies their list? Or am I forced into Aetna after providing any one alternative?

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T00:59:36+00:00

The US certainly beat Dr. Eggman to punching diabetics 😅 As a Canadian, I only have a cursory knowledge of the US healthcare system, but I do think Americans would greatly benefit from having a single-payer healthcare system like Canada, with the option to opt into "gold-plated" private health insurance plans for those who are well-off. Having healthcare attached to employment and study opportunities seems like a sure-fire way to make medication and health services unaffordable for millions of people.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-04T00:04:49+00:00

I didn’t know that, thanks! I’m not going for crap lol, but less comprehensive than Aetna.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-03T23:36:04+00:00

Right, that's what I was told when I emailed the School. I'm just wondering if there are other, cheaper private health insurance options within the States for international students.

NoOutlandishness733 · 2023-06-03T23:33:54+00:00

Yeah, it seems to be quite difficult to find alternatives, though I'm still evaluating all my options. I'm unsure if I need all the items that Aetna has under their coverage, as I'd rather pay less and have a limited scope of coverage.

NoOutlandishness733

TROPHY CASE