The deadline for opting out or signing up for NIU’s Student Health Insurance Plan is Tuesday.

The University Health Service automatically enrolls students taking at least nine on-campus credit hours this semester and students have the opportunity to opt out if they meet Board of Trustee requirements by having outside insurance plans.

“We don’t recommend that people opt out,” said insurance staff supervisor Regina Crosby. “We’d rather see them keep it, because in today’s environment, with how expensive insurance is now, you can’t have too much.”

The NIU Insurance Plan offers a rate for individual students of $288.85 per semester, which covers up to 80 percent of all costs associated with illness or injury. The rate for individual students is not subsidized by the university. It is lower than most major plans, including health plans offered by many occupations to their employees.

Coverage for the spring semester lasts over spring and summer break until August 17 and remains active 24 hours a day, even in other countries.

Crosby said students well above the average age of students normally face higher rates through outside companies, but under the university plan they pay the same as a 20-year-old student would pay.

Students who take between six and eight credit hours also are eligible for health insurance through the university. These students have until Tuesday to enroll.

The University insurance plan does not cover dental, vision or prescription benefits, but Crosby said these options are a possibility for the future.

There also are options available for dependent insurance, including maternity insurance, although the rates are higher than for individual plans, Crosby said.

For further information about features and restrictions on individual coverage, students can visit the Student Insurance Office in the Health Services building, Room 201, or call 753-0122.