William Paterson University

August 3, 2011

To the William Paterson University Community

I am writing to let you know about an important change to the University’s student health insurance program. For years, the State of New Jersey has required all college students to maintain health insurance. As part of the federal government’s overall plan to provide widespread health insurance coverage, the new Federal Health Law, which takes effect in 2014, requires a higher level of coverage. The improved insurance benefits will result in an increased annual insurance cost for students. The coverage being provided by the new student health insurance plan has been improved in keeping with the premium increase. The new policy will have a $50,000 per accident or illness policy limit with a $1,000 prescription drug benefit and $750 in wellness benefits. Please note that this change does not impact students who are covered by their own family, employer-sponsored, or other health insurance policy.

To minimize the increased cost of insurance premiums, William Paterson University entered a consortium with seven sister institutions in New Jersey to leverage our purchasing power so that we would jointly obtain the best rates available. The required improvement in coverage and benefits will result in an insurance premium increase from $250 to $715 per student for the first year, starting in fall 2011, with additional premium increases phased in over the next few years.

As in the past, students who provide proof of external health insurance coverage have the option to waive the University insurance program. As always, insurance premium costs are considered to be an educational expense, so financial aid coverage may apply.

The increase is beyond the control of William Paterson University and comes while we continue to make every effort to contain costs for our students. We will continue to seek ways to provide non-emergency health care for students through our Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center. For information about the services the Center offers to registered students, visit the website at www.wpunj.edu/health-wellness.

If you have any questions about this change in the University’s student health insurance program, please contact my office at 973.720.2179.

Sincerely,

John Martone Signature

John A. Martone
Vice President for Student Development


August 3, 2011 To the William Paterson University Community I am writing to let you know about an important change to the University’s student health insurance program. For years, the State of New Jersey has required all college students to maintain health insurance. As part of the federal government’s overall plan to provide widespread health insurance coverage, the new Federal Health Law, which takes effect in 2014, requires a higher level of coverage. The improved insurance benefits will result in an increased annual insurance cost for students. The coverage being provided by the new student health insurance plan has been improved in keeping with the premium increase. The new policy will have a $50,000 per accident or illness policy limit with a $1,000 prescription drug benefit and $750 in wellness benefits. Please note that this change does not impact students who are covered by their own family, employer-sponsored, or other health insurance policy. To minimize the increased cost of insurance premiums, William Paterson University entered a consortium with seven sister institutions in New Jersey to leverage our purchasing power so that we would jointly obtain the best rates available. The required improvement in coverage and benefits will result in an insurance premium increase from $250 to $715 per student for the first year, starting in fall 2011, with additional premium increases phased in over the next few years. As in the past, students who provide proof of external health insurance coverage have the option to waive the University insurance program. As always, insurance premium costs are considered to be an educational expense, so financial aid coverage may apply. The increase is beyond the control of William Paterson University and comes while we continue to make every effort to contain costs for our students. We will continue to seek ways to provide non-emergency health care for students through our Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center. For information about the services the Center offers to registered students, visit the website at www.wpunj.edu/health-wellness. If you have any questions about this change in the University’s student health insurance program, please contact my office at 973.720.2179. Sincerely, John A. Martone Vice President for Student Development


	300 Pompton Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 973-720-2179 martonej@wpunj.edu