Having to cover the insurance during the summer suggests to me that she does not have an assistantship, or at least not one which will continue over the summer. That is something else which must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and will not necessarily be a factor for every student.
$1000/year is close to an upper bound for health coverage, given the range of subsidized rates provided by Maryland. Dental insurance is available for an additional amount of around $100/year. They offer both a DHMO and a DPPO, the latter of which can be used at any provider.
She is a 4th year PhD student in applied mathematics working with an established adviser who has plenty of grant money. She’s just doing the standard thing… I see the same situation all over my own university’s science departments.
PPO can be used at any provider and typically only get you a slight discount for any service beyond a basic cleaning. As a grad student, I’ve had to get a crown and 3 fillings (arising as complications from wisdom teeth, which I had removed while a full-time engineer prior to grad school). I realize my expense is at the far end of the distribution, but that’s why we have insurance. Grad students (like me) aren’t in a position to handle these expenses and our insurance is not remotely adequate. I had to go into significant debt to finance my own dental work.
It doesn’t make sense to me that she would have to cover her own insurance over the summer if she continues funded research as a graduate assistant during that time. University employees get the subsidized rates.
UMD’s DPPO covers 70% of costs for fillings and 50% for crowns, after a $50 annual deductible, and up to a $1500 annual maximum. Costs could still add up, but that seems like more than just a slight discount. Obviously what insurance covers will vary from school to school, but that information is generally available online.
I’m not saying you didn’t get screwed. Wisdom teeth complications suck; I’ve dealt with some myself. I’m just saying that’s not a given for all graduate programs, and it’s not necessary to assume that it is.
Having to cover the insurance during the summer suggests to me that she does not have an assistantship, or at least not one which will continue over the summer. That is something else which must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and will not necessarily be a factor for every student.
$1000/year is close to an upper bound for health coverage, given the range of subsidized rates provided by Maryland. Dental insurance is available for an additional amount of around $100/year. They offer both a DHMO and a DPPO, the latter of which can be used at any provider.
She is a 4th year PhD student in applied mathematics working with an established adviser who has plenty of grant money. She’s just doing the standard thing… I see the same situation all over my own university’s science departments.
PPO can be used at any provider and typically only get you a slight discount for any service beyond a basic cleaning. As a grad student, I’ve had to get a crown and 3 fillings (arising as complications from wisdom teeth, which I had removed while a full-time engineer prior to grad school). I realize my expense is at the far end of the distribution, but that’s why we have insurance. Grad students (like me) aren’t in a position to handle these expenses and our insurance is not remotely adequate. I had to go into significant debt to finance my own dental work.
It doesn’t make sense to me that she would have to cover her own insurance over the summer if she continues funded research as a graduate assistant during that time. University employees get the subsidized rates.
UMD’s DPPO covers 70% of costs for fillings and 50% for crowns, after a $50 annual deductible, and up to a $1500 annual maximum. Costs could still add up, but that seems like more than just a slight discount. Obviously what insurance covers will vary from school to school, but that information is generally available online.
I’m not saying you didn’t get screwed. Wisdom teeth complications suck; I’ve dealt with some myself. I’m just saying that’s not a given for all graduate programs, and it’s not necessary to assume that it is.