AUSU Prioritizes Accessible Healthcare for AU Students Who Need It Most

Access to affordable healthcare is a basic need for everyone, including students. However, not all students have the privilege of accessing healthcare benefits due to their medical history. In light of this challenge, the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU) has developed the AUSU Optional Health & Dental Plan, accessible to all Athabasca University (AU) students, regardless of their medical history.

At AUSU, we understand that many AU students have the opportunity to access affordable healthcare online by searching for reputable insurers like AB Blue Cross, Green Shield, Sunlife, and others. However, our health plan is designed to address the needs of students who might otherwise find it difficult to obtain healthcare benefits through these existing providers based on their medical history.

We developed a guaranteed issue plan, which means that all AU students are welcome, and there is no requirement to provide medical history. This feature makes our plan uniquely accessible and affordable. Unlike other health plans that require a medical history, the AUSU health plan offers the same coverage for all students, regardless of their medical history, making it easier to access affordable healthcare for both the students and their families.

The AUSU plan is not meant to compete with other cheaper or more robust benefit plans available in the market. Instead, its priority is to serve AU students who need a healthcare option, including those who are facing personal health challenges that make it difficult for them to access healthcare at an affordable price. We acknowledge that students come from different backgrounds and face different health challenges; our goal is to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all students, regardless of their circumstances.

One of the benefits of the AUSU plan is that it offers adequate coverage for medications, dental treatments, medical specialists, and therapy treatments. We believe that health care is not just about treating illness; it’s also about maintaining good health and preventing illness. That’s why the AUSU health plan places great emphasis on preventive care. We encourage all AU students to take advantage of the coverage they have to access appropriate preventative health measures that keep them healthy and reduce the risk of illness.

We also acknowledge that selecting a healthcare provider can be a daunting task for students. There are many things to consider, such as cost, reputation, and the services provided. We, therefore, encourage all AU students to do their homework before selecting a healthcare provider. Email us at ausu@ausu.org if you have any questions or concerns.

AUSU believes that access to affordable healthcare is a basic right. We recognize that not all AU students can access healthcare benefits based on their medical history and that’s why we have developed a plan that is both affordable and accessible to everyone. Our guaranteed issue plan means that all students are welcome! We encourage all AU students to take advantage of this opportunity and make informed healthcare decisions.