Duke University Transitions Student Insurance to Aetna with Select Care System

Duke University is transitioning its Student Medical Insurance Plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to Aetna starting August 1. This change introduces a Select Care tier system, promoting Duke Health, WakeMed, and Cone Health facilities. The arrangement offers significant cost benefits compared to other in-network providers, impacting how students access healthcare services through Aetna's network.

Key alterations include a $0 deductible for care at Select Care facilities compared to a $250 deductible for other in-network providers. The previous Blue Cross plan applied a $0 deductible uniformly. These changes influence costs for services like urgent care and standard doctor visits, potentially raising concerns about access and expense among the student body.

Rachel Kaufman, president of the graduate student union at Duke, expressed worries about increased expenses for students utilizing non-Select Care providers, particularly in specialized care areas such as mental health services. Duke assures that coverage for core services, including reproductive health, will remain consistent under Aetna's plan and advises students to contact the Student Insurance Support Team for queries.

NC State Redevelopment Project Gains Legislative Support

In related news, a legislative bill proposes $295 million to initiate NC State's redevelopment project at Cates West, aimed at accommodating enrollment growth and addressing housing needs. The project is projected to cost approximately $750 million in total, starting with the anticipated passage of Phase I funding in the Senate, focusing on building modern facilities to support the university's expansion.