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Innovative Partnership: Iowa State University and When Collaboration

Iowa State University (ISU) recently made headlines by becoming the first university in the nation to form a strategic partnership with When, an AI-driven post-employment solution, to provide affordable health insurance options for its graduates. Scheduled to benefit an array of students transitioning out of academia, this initiative not only focuses on health coverage but also offers essential career support.

Addressing Coverage Gaps for Graduates

Many new graduates unfortunately find themselves grappling with the complexity and high costs of health insurance once they leave their student health plans. While the Affordable Care Act allows some undergraduates to remain on their parents' health insurance for four years post-graduation, those who encounter issues include nontraditional students, graduate students exceeding the age limit, or those without family coverage. This leaves them with limited and exorbitantly priced healthcare options, which can sometimes cost upwards of several hundred dollars a month.

Recognizing this challenge, Iowa State University has joined forces with When to help all graduates—whether they are stepping directly into jobs, starting their own businesses, or simply exploring opportunities—find tailored, budget-friendly healthcare alternatives.

Ed Holland, Director of Benefits and WorkLife at Iowa State University, stated, "At Iowa State, we are committed to supporting our students beyond graduation, ensuring they have access to quality healthcare options and career support."

Leveraging AI for Personalized Healthcare Solutions

The partnership introduces When's advanced AI capabilities to customize health insurance selections based on each graduate's unique needs. Graduates can efficiently compare and enroll in more affordable alternatives through the streamlined marketplace provided by When, foregoing complex and often confusing traditional plans.

Among the key advantages of When’s approach are the potential savings of up to 70% in healthcare costs compared to standard options, as well as curated plans that cater directly to individual requirements. Furthermore, graduates benefit from expert guidance during the selection process, along with a seamless digital experience that simplifies enrollment and plan management.

"When is dedicated to making the post-employment experience less stressful and more supportive for individuals, and we’re thrilled to extend that service to recent graduates through this partnership with Iowa State University," said Andy Hamilton, CEO at When.

Setting a New Standard for Graduate Support

This collaboration signals a pivotal moment in the landscape of post-graduation resources. By pioneering enhanced support for graduates, Iowa State is setting a benchmark for other academic institutions. Alongside health insurance, the university has molded a comprehensive suite of post-graduation services tailored to recent alumni's immediate needs.

In addition to health coverage, graduates now have access to job search assistance, resume building services, and advisory resources through collaborations with organizations like Career Sandwich, Swooped, and CompareMedsRX. This multifaceted support aims to ease the transition into the professional sphere, paralleling the university’s overarching goal of fostering success beyond the academic environment.

For additional information, graduates can navigate the dedicated Iowa State University and When student portal.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University prides itself on its commitment to being a student-focused research institution with extensive outreach programs benefiting both Iowans and individuals worldwide. With a student body of around 30,000 and a workforce of over 6,000 staff and faculty, ISU exemplifies innovation and opportunity in higher education. More details can be found at iastate.edu.

About When Insurance

When's mission is to assist organizations in transforming their exit processes into a positive experience while also mitigating costs associated with health insurance. This partnership highlights the organization’s scalable potential to not only aid businesses but also educational institutions in preparing their graduates for success after leaving school. Their user-friendly platform, combined with partner support, enhances the exit experience, ensuring that all involved benefit from a positive transition.

For more insights about When's offerings, visit forwhen.com.