UNL Student Health and Dental Insurance Premium Benefit for Graduate Students

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Academic Year 2007-2008

What does this plan cover?

• It will pay for covered medical expenses for accidents or illnesses up to a total of $250,000 in the policy year (August 13, 2007 to August 14, 2008).
• The annual deductible is $400 per insured per policy year.
• When the Health Center fee has been paid through UPFF or personal payment, covered medical expenses incurred at the University Health Center will be payable at 100% with waiver of the deductible. For treatment received outside the Health Center, covered preferred provider expenses are paid at 80% of the negotiated charge for the first $9,750 of covered medical expenses; 100% thereafter. Covered non-preferred provider expenses are paid at 60% of the reasonable charge for the first $4,875 of covered medical expenses; 100% thereafter.
• Co-pay: In addition to the policy year deductible and co-insurance maximum, each insured person will be responsible for a $100 per emergency room visit co-pay amount and a $250 per inpatient admission co-pay amount. The co-pay amount normally does not apply to urgent care center charges. Medical evacuation and repatriation benefits are included in this policy without additional cost.

What is the cost to insure myself?

• The total cost of the insurance premium is $1052. Graduate Assistants will be responsible for 21% ($221) of that total annual cost.
• The total premium cost for the first semester (August 14 - December 31, 2007) is $410; of that amount, the graduate assistant cost is $86 and the university-paid portion is $324. The total premium cost for the second semester and summer (January 1 - August 13, 2008) is $642; of that amount, the graduate assistant cost is $135 and the university-paid portion is $507.
• The student's cost for individual coverage will be posted to their student account. We encourage all students to participate in the program, because similar policies from other insurers are more costly plus covered medical expenses incurred at the University Health Center are fully paid with waiver of the policy year deductible. Your cost averages to about $0.60 a day and provides peace of mind allowing you to complete your coursework rather than jeopardize your academic career dealing with unexpected medical bills.

Can I insure my dependents?

• Yes, dependents may be insured as long as the student's coverage remains in force. The annual premium cost for each child is $1713; the annual premium for a spouse or eligible domestic partner is $3410.
• If you wish to insure dependents, you may either sign up online at http://www.chickering.com or complete an enrollment form (available at the University Health Center) and attach payment in the form of a U.S. check or money order or an authorization to charge your VISA or MasterCard credit card. If desired, a semi-annual payment option is available.

What is the deadline to obtain insurance?

• Enrollment forms received prior to September 15, 2007, will be effective from August 14, 2007. Coverage for students who return forms after September 15 will be effective one day after the postmark date of the enrollment form or the date received at the University Health Center. Please note that a graduate assistant who is hired late may not be eligible for either a tuition waiver benefit or the university-paid portion of the insurance benefit for the semester of the late start.

How do I get an enrollment form?

• Enrollment forms are online at http://www.chickering.com or available at the University Health Center. However graduate assistants or international students (F1 or J1 visa holders) should not fill out the enrollment form to obtain the individual basic coverage. Dependents of students, however, will need to complete an Enrollment Form.
• Graduate Assistants will be automatically enrolled. Please note that it is not mandatory for U. S. domestic students to participate in the student health insurance program however, international students must participate unless they provide proof of comparable insurance and complete a waiver each semester by the published deadline. UNL will send international student enrollment information to Chickering.

Who is eligible to buy this insurance?

• All students enrolled in three or more credit hours at UNL and who have paid the University Health Center facility fee are eligible to purchase this plan.
• Students who are enrolled for 7 or more credits during an academic semester will have paid the University Health Center fee as part of the Program and Facilities Fee (UPFF fees).
• Students who are enrolled for fewer than 7 hours (including those who are certified as full-time) must pay the University Health Center fee (because it is not part of the University Program and Facilities Fee at the lower enrollment level) in order to use the University Health Center and file a Chickering insurance claim.

What if I don't want the benefit?

• Non-participation in the plan requires completion of the Student Health Insurance Waiver Request Form within 14 days of employment; otherwise a graduate assistant will be automatically enrolled in the plan and their student account will be charged. A printable PDF of the form is available on the UHC webpage, http://www.unl.edu/health.
• The form must be filled out each semester and returned to the University Health Center by the published deadline. The form can be printed and mailed to UHC at P.O. Box 880618, Lincoln, NE 68588-0618 or completed and attached to an email message to bheiserman1@unl.edu.

Will I get an identification card to use?

• Regular identification cards will be mailed approximately mid-October to the address listed for the graduate assistant in the Student Information System database. Therefore it is very important that the address information be current. You may print a temporary I.D. card, if you wish, by visiting http://www.chickering.com.

Where can an insured person receive medical care?

• Students must receive a referral from the University Health Center before receiving outpatient services. Without a referral, such medical services are excluded from coverage. Dependents are not seen at the University Health Center so therefore dependents do not require a referral. In order to maximize savings and reduce out of pocket expense, dependents should choose an outpatient provider from the Preferred Provider listing available at the University Health Center or at http://www.aetna.com/docfind.

Is dental care covered?

• Yes, dental care is now a covered service. A Preventive/Basic policy package Underwritten by Ameritas has been added, covering up to $500 per year, with preventive treatment covered 100% with $0 deductible for treatment at the University Health Center and $50 deductible for basic services. Basic Services are paid per plan schedule.
• Dental treatment received by providers other than University Health Center are subject to $50 deductible for all treatments and a lower plan schedule payment.

Are prescriptions covered?

• Yes, prescriptions are now covered by a University Health Center Prescription Program with a $500 policy year benefit, $10 co-pay for generic drugs and $25 co-pay for brand name drugs.

What about vision care?

• Insured persons are eligible for certain discounts under the Vision One program. Call Chickering at 1-800-927-0812 for a listing of services and providers or go to http://www.aetna.com/docfind.

These questions and answers are designed to be a quick summary of the student health insurance program. Students should refer to the insurance brochure at http://www.chickering.com if they have specific questions about insurance benefit provisions. Or they can call the Health Center's student health insurance coordinator at (402) 472-7507.