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Executive Summary, Premier Plan Student Health Insurance Negotiations

Directive by Board of Directors

In 1988 Georgetown University's Board of Directors recognized the untenable financial burden placed on uninsured students when they face an unexpected accident or illness. The Board also recognized the negative impact Georgetown University's uninsured students had on the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The University addressed these issues by requiring most full-time students in a degree program to enroll in the Premier Plan, unless they have other adequate health insurance coverage.

Triennial Request For Proposals

To obtain coverage that meets the needs of these students and the responsibility to the community at large, the University leverages its large number of uninsured students to negotiate a plan that is more comprehensive than one that students could otherwise obtain independently. To maintain this competitive student health plan, GU Student Health Insurance solicits requests for proposals from reputable student health insurance agents and carriers every three years. Only proposals from companies with an AM Best rating of A- or better are solicited.

In the Spring of 2010 the University formally "went out to bid." Deans appointed a student and a faculty/staff member to the Student Health Insurance Request for Proposal Committee from each of the following areas: 1) the Undergraduate Schools; 2) the Graduate Schools; 3) the Medical School; and 4) the Law School. In addition, there was a representative from Student Financial Services and Student Health Services. The Committee again selected Gallagher Koster Insurance Agency's proposal underwritten by United HealthCare Insurance Company for the Premier Plan.