Coverage for typical medical expenses like physician visits will increase under the new plan to be implemented this fall, said a representative of the company that will provide student insurance at Kansas Board of Regents Universities on Tuesday.

Matt Brinson spoke at two meetings in the K-State Student Union representing Student Resources, Inc. About 25 people attended the first session, which was for graduate assistants. The second session, which was for undergraduates and international students, attracted only a handful.

Brinson provided flyers outlining the main features of the coverage, but full brochures of the new plan are not yet available, which will delay students from learning all of the details.

He said a significant benefit for the new plan is that room and board, miscellaneous hospital charges, surgeon's fees and physician visits would be covered at 80 percent within the provider network, rather than the $300 cap that applied to the old policy.

Brinson also highlighted the lower deductible, which will be reduced from $500 to $250 and is waived if students use Lafene Health Center.

"I can't stress enough that students should use the student health center to avoid paying the deductible," Brinson said.

The $100,000-per-year maximum payout has been increased to a $100,000-per-injury limit, he said. That means that if $100,000 is used up on a single injury, the maximum will start over for any subsequent injuries or illnesses. Coverage with this policy still would end upon graduation. Brinson recommended students graduating in May buy an annual policy.

"This will give students graduating in May until July 31 to find alternative coverage through their employer or an individual plan," he said.

Beverley Earles, assistant director of the English Language Program, has two daughters attending K-State. She asked if the new plan covered dental and vision needs.

Brinson said the plan would not, but a discount program was available from Student Resources, Inc. He suggested visiting the company's Web site, www.studentresources.com, for details.

Earles also asked about the best way to enroll in the program.

"International students requiring TB tests prior to enrollment don't have much time to sign up for the insurance and be covered for the tests they need," she said.

Brinson said the easiest way to sign up for the new policy would be online.