In the 1999-2000 operating budget, the Board of Trustees approved a provision for student health insurance for all graduate students funded as full-time teaching, research, or graduate assistants, or full-time fellowship holders, or a combination of these positions.  The Graduate School Funding Office administers this insurance program.  The insurance is provided to eligible graduate students at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions about Funded Graduate Student Health Insurance for Directors of Graduate Studies

Please note the important information below.  It may directly affect the health insurance eligibility of graduate students in your department.

How do I know if one of my graduate students is eligible for University-funded health insurance?

There are three criteria used to determine eligibility for University-funded health insurance for graduate students.  Students must be:

• Currently enrolled
• Degree seeking
• In UK payroll with an assignment as a full-time (.50 FTE) TA, RA, GA, or as an institutional fellowship recipient (or a full combination of these positions).  Full-time generally means an assignment of 20 hours a week or a fellowship of $9000 or more.

The enrollment process is designed to be hassle-free for funded students who are already busy.  For full-time TAs, RAs, GAs, and institutional fellows, there are no forms to complete to enroll in the plan.  Students meeting eligibility requirements will be enrolled automatically by staff in the Graduate School Funding Office.

Who may students or directors of graduate studies contact to verify coverage?

To verify coverage, contact the insurance coordinator, Graduate School Funding Office, 257-3261.

In most cases, the terms of the policy are from August 26 to January 1 and again from January 1 to August 26.  Please see the chart below for further clarification:

How much is the annual premium?

For 2005-2006, $645.00 (226.00 in fall and 419.00 in spring summer).

For 2005-2006:

            TAs: The Graduate School

            RAs:  Account from which they receive their stipend

            GAs:  Account from which they receive their stipend

            Graduate School fellows:  Graduate School or RCTF account, as appropriate

            Departmental fellows or traineeships:  Account from which they receive their stipend

A computer program is used to help determine eligibility.  Of primary importance to this process is the way a student’s assignment is entered in the University’s payroll system (HRS).

In order for TAs, RAs, and GAs to receive their health insurance coverage, their FTE must reflect their full-time status.  Directors of graduate studies are encouraged to work closely with their staff who enter payroll assignments for graduate students.  The FTE for a full-time assistantship for a graduate student is .50 and is entered on screen 16 in HRS.  FTE does not need to be entered for fellowship assignments since they are non-service awards.

What action do directors of graduate studies need to take to make sure eligible graduate students receive health insurance coverage?

Be sure graduate student payroll assignments are completed in HRS as quickly as possible.  This is especially important during the spring semester.  For example, students with split assignments that end in December and start again in January may have their insurance discontinued if a payroll assignment is not completed by late December or early January.

At the end of the fall semester, the Graduate School Funding Office is required to check the eligibility of graduate students receiving University-funded health insurance.  Only those students meeting the three eligibility criteria above will continue to have their insurance premiums provided by the University. 

Yes.  Graduate students not meeting eligibility criteria for spring semester insurance have until January 14, 2006 to continue their coverage at their own expense.  Domestic students may contact the student insurance coordinator at University Health Service, 323-5823, ext. 230.  International students may continue coverage by contacting the insurance coordinator at the Office of International Affairs, 257-4067, ext. 238.

Yes.  Students may decline the coverage by completing a Health Insurance Declination Form available on the Web at www.research.uky.edu/gs/fellowship/healthcoverage.html.  This form should be turned in to the Graduate School Funding Office by the first day of class for each semester the student is declining coverage.

An insurance card is included in the initial information packet sent to graduate students from the insurance company.  Students who know they are recipients of funded student insurance may use this ID card.  A follow-up card is sent to funded graduate students in care of their University departments.  In addition, eligible students may generate ID cards via the Web, by visiting the Graduate School home page and clicking on “Health Insurance Coverage.”  All of these ID cards are equally valid.  Health insurance is valid only during the exact dates for which the University purchased coverage.

Yes.  Contact the insurance coordinator, Graduate School Funding Office, 257-3261, for more information.

No.  These are two different health services for students.  The Health Fee enables students to be seen for unlimited visits for illness or injury at University Health Service.  The fee is mandatory for all full-time students.  The student health insurance is an injury and sickness plan that includes hospitalization benefits.                      

Since UK is the preferred provider for the student health insurance plan, University Health Service and student health insurance work well together.  For example, students who receive treatment at University Health Service for medical services not covered by the health fee may file their claims with the insurance company.   In these instances, the health insurance deductible is waived for eligible claims.

Who should funded graduate students contact when they have trouble with a claim or have questions about their insurance?

All funded graduate students with insurance questions or claim problems may contact the student insurance coordinator, Graduate School Funding Office, 257-3261.

Call the Graduate School Funding Office at 257-3261 and ask for the insurance coordinator or visit the Web at http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/fellowship/healthcoverage.html

Send questions to grad.fundedhealth@uky.edu.

Direct questions to grad.webmaster@email.uky.edu
Last updated August 23, 2005