Health Insurance Coverage for Funded Graduate Students

Frequently Asked Questions

 

It is the intent of the University and the insurance company to provide the greatest benefits to the majority of students and to keep the premium cost at a level that all students, usually on a limited income, can still afford. Therefore, certain limitations and exclusions must be applied to the student insurance coverage as a means of cost containment. It is your responsibility to read and understand the insurance plan, its exclusions, limitations, and schedule of benefits.

Limitations apply: The student insurance plan is a preferred provider organization (PPO), and UK Hospital and UK College of Medicine physicians are the preferred providers (in-area). When receiving treatment away from UK , you may experience significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, the plan is an illness and injury plan only; it does not provide for preventive care or coverage of treatment in the absence of illness or injury, except as specifically provided in the policy.

Eligibility & Enrollment processing:  There is a 30-day processing period for enrolling funded graduate students in the insurance plan at the beginning of each semester. Should you need your coverage verified for a provider during this enrollment period, contact the insurance coordinator at the Graduate School Funding Office, (859) 257-6608.

How do I know if I am eligible for University-funded student health insurance?

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

·        Currently enrolled in the Graduate School

·        Degree seeking

·        In UK payroll with an assignment as a full-time teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), graduate assistant (GA), or as an institutional fellowship recipient. A full-time combination of these positions also qualifies students for funded insurance. Full-time generally means an assignment of 20 hours a week or a fellowship of $9000 or more.

NOTE: Changes with your assignment, fellowship or status may affect your eligibility. 

If I am eligible, what action do I need to take to sign up for student health insurance?

None. The enrollment process is designed to be completely hassle-free. There is no paperwork or enrollment form for you to complete. Students who meet the eligibility criteria above do not need to take any action to enroll in the plan.  Funded Graduate Students will be enrolled automatically.

If I am not a Funded Graduate Student, where can I find more information about this health insurance plan?

See the “Additional websites of interest” at the bottom of this page.

I am a funded graduate student but the insurance charge is still on my student bill.  (International Students) What do I do?

As an international student you are required to have health insurance.  The University automatically adds the health insurance charge to the student accounts of all international students.  The Funding Office will remove the charge after verifying your eligibility as a funded graduate student.  You may see the charge on your first bill for the fall and spring semesters.  Please allow time for processing.  Check your online student bill; if the charge has not been paid one month after the first day of classes contact your insurance coordinator by email at: grad.fundedhealth@uky.edu.

Because I have student health insurance, are all my health care costs covered?

No. There are several areas for which you are responsible for payment, including, but not limited to, a deductible, a patient percentage of covered medical expenses, medical costs for services excluded by the plan, and amounts above the maximum benefits provided. (For example, the maximum for the “outpatient benefit” is $2,500 per sickness or injury per policy year.) Use of the preferred provider (UK Hospital/College of Medicine physicians) or an out-of-network provider will also affect your out-of-pocket expenses. The insurance plan includes benefits for sickness and injury; including both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as a prescription drug benefit.

What action do Funded Graduate Students need to take to change from the 2006-2007 MEGA Life Insurance plan to the 2007-2008 Chickering Group plan?

None.  The changeover process will be handled by your insurance coordinator and both insurance companies.  No additional forms or information will be necessary.

How will I receive an insurance card and information about the plan?

An insurance card will be mailed to your home address after the Funding Office is able to verify your eligibility as a Funded Graduate Student.  Please allow one month at the beginning of each semester for processing.  If you believe you qualify as a Funded Graduate Student and you do not receive a card one month after the first day of classes contact your insurance coordinator by email at grad.fundedhealth@uky.edu.

If you need to seek medical care prior to receiving your insurance ID card, contact your insurance coordinator by phone at (859) 257-6608.

Replacement cards can be generated online via www.chickering.com.

What is the insurance coverage period?

In most cases, the terms of the policy are from August 26 to December 31 and from January 1 to August 25. See the chart below for further clarification:

Assistantship or fellowship term -- Periods of coverage for the 2006-2007 policy year:
August-December -- August 26, 2006 to January 1, 2007
August-April or beyond -- August 26, 2006 to August 25, 2007
January-April or beyond -- January 1, 2007 to August 25, 2007

Assistantship or fellowship term -- Periods of coverage for the 2007-2008 policy year:
August-December -- August 26, 2007 to December 31, 2007
August-April or beyond -- August 26, 2007 to August 25, 2008
January-April or beyond -- January 1, 2008 to August 25, 2008

Can I continue my coverage, even though the University is no longer paying my premium?

Yes. Students not meeting eligibility criteria for funded insurance have the opportunity to continue coverage at their own expense. Visit www.chickering.com for details and pricing on the “Continuation Plan.”  If you have difficulty with the online continuation plan enrollment process, contact The Chickering Group at (888) 834-4690.

Can dependents be enrolled in the student health insurance plan?

Yes. You may choose to enroll your dependents in this health insurance plan at www.chickering.com.  Select the “Enroll/Waive” tab and proceed with the online form.  You have the option of submitting a check or credit card payment online.  If you have difficulty with the online dependent enrollment process, contact The Chickering Group at (888) 834-4690.

What is the difference between the mandatory student health fee and student insurance?

All full-time students pay a mandatory health fee in the fall and spring semesters that entitles them to most services at University Health Service (Student Health) at no cost. The health fee is voluntary for most students in the summer, as well as for all part-time students in the fall and spring semesters.

If you are a part-time student or a graduate student enrolled in a zero credit hour class or 767, you may request a voluntary health fee and pay the charge at the Student Billing Office in Funkhouser Building. Please check the University Health Services website for deadlines on the health fee payment at http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/UHS.

The student health insurance is an injury and sickness plan that includes hospitalization benefits. The plan is a preferred provider organization (PPO) and UK Hospital and UK College of Medicine physicians are the preferred providers (in area). When receiving treatment away from UK , you may experience significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. The insurance plan is underwritten by the Aetna Life Insurance Company.

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.  See www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/UHS for more information.

How does the prescription drug benefit work?

Your insurance identification card will double as your prescription identification card.  The plan provides prescription benefits up to $1,000 (per policy year) when filled at the Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy and prescribed by a University clinician. The maximum annual benefit is $250 (per policy year) at all other pharmacies. Your total annual prescription benefit may not exceed $1,000.  Eligible allergy prescriptions are covered only at the Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy.  There is a $10.00 generic drug copay and a $30.00 brand name copay at Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy. There is a $15.00 generic drug copay and a $45.00 brand name copay at all other pharmacies.  The copay will be due at the time of purchase at the Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy and participating Aetna Preferred Pharmacy.  (See www.chickering.com to locate Aetna Preferred Pharmacies)  You will be required to pay the entire purchase price at a Non-Preferred Pharmacy. 

	Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy	Aetna Preferred Pharmacy	Non-Preferred Pharmacy
Copay	$10 generic, $30 brand name	$15 generic, $45 brand name	$15 generic, $45 brand name
Annual benefit maximum	$1,000	$250	$250
Due at time of purchase	Copay only	Copay only	Full purchase price, then reimbursement process (see brochure for details)

Note: When purchasing prescriptions, always present your insurance identification card in order to receive the best prescription rate.

When will I receive my prescription card?

Your insurance identification card will double as your prescription identification card.  You will receive the card at your home address one month after the first day of classes.

Does this plan include Vision Benefits?

Yes.  See the plan brochure for details.

Does this plan include Dental Benefits?

No; this health insurance plan only addresses claims “for the treatment of accidental injury to sound, natural teeth.”  (See your plan brochure for details.)  Dental benefits are not built into this insurance plan. 

There is an optional dental plan available for purchase through The Chickering Group at www.chickering.com.  This dental insurance is not administered by the University of Kentucky; all inquiries should be handled directly with Chickering.

Is my student insurance valid outside of the United States ?

Yes, though in some instances you may be required to make a payment to the provider and then submit your medical bills directly to the insurance company yourself. Remember, this policy is a PPO, so your out-of-pocket expenses could be affected. 

*Also see the 2007-2008 plan brochure regarding the Global Emergency Medical Assistance provided by Assist America. This coverage is included with the Chickering policy with no additional premium cost.

What if I have difficulty with a claim?

The insurance company has a dedicated toll-free line for UK students. The number is (888) 834-4690. It is appropriate to contact the company directly at this number to resolve your claim. When speaking with someone from the insurance company, it is always recommended to ask for the name of the company representative and note the date and time of your call. In turn, this information may help both the insurance company and the University to resolve claim issues more efficiently.  If you are unable to resolve your insurance claim with the company, you may call the Graduate School Funding Office at (859) 257-6608 and ask for the insurance coordinator who will review the claim with you.

I received forms from the insurance company requesting additional information about my claims. What should I do?

It is not unusual for the insurance company to request additional information while they are processing a claim. Carefully read and complete the forms, then send them to the insurance company. If you have questions about completing the forms, contact your insurance coordinator.

May I decline the coverage?

Yes. If you are a domestic Funded Graduate Student, you may decline coverage by completing a Health Insurance Declination Form. Return the form to the Funding Office, 203 Gillis Building, by the first day of class for the semester(s) for which you are declining coverage. Health insurance coverage for international students is mandatory.

I still have questions:  how can I find out more about University-funded graduate student health insurance?

Call the Graduate School Funding Office at (859) 257-6608 and ask for the insurance coordinator or go to <www.research.uky.edu/gs/fellowship/healthcoverage.html>.

Additional websites of interest:

University Health Service, (859) 323-5823, Ext. 230

Office of International Affairs, (859) 257-4067, Ext. 238

The Chickering Group, (888) 834-4690

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This page is maintained by grad.fundedhealth@uky.edu
Last updated March 10, 2008