University of Hartford

International Student

Injury and Sickness Insurance Requirements

 

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Insurance program cost

• University "Waiver"

• Insurance coverage highlights

• Dependent coverage

• Insurance cost and schedule

• Dental coverage

• Vision coverage

• Requesting a waiver

• Who to contact

• Non University Insurance Policies

• How to get a copy of your Insurance Card

Introduction

The University of Hartford requires all undergraduate and graduate full and part-time international students on an F-1/F-2 student visa or a J-1/J-2 student exchange visitor visa to be enrolled in an injury and sickness insurance program. Students will be required to participate in the University of Hartford's Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan. We have partnered with Gallagher Koster and the United Healthcare Insurance Company to provide this service to you.

Changes to the previous university-sponsored plan will occur in the 2012-13 academic year due to new health insurance requirements mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act recently enacted by the U.S. government.  Student health insurance plans must now comply with the new requirements.  Policy fees will increase from previous years. Benefits of this plan are greater and now include wellness and prescription coverage, an increase of coverage from $25,000 to $100,000 for each injury or sickness, available coverage for dependents and other benefits. 

Insurance Program Cost

The cost of this plan will automatically be added to your university billing charge at the time of your course registration each semester. The University estimates the cost of this insurance to be $1,117 for both undergraduate and graduate international students for the 2012-2013 academic year. (see below for the current fee and schedule)

University Waiver

The University has put in place a "waiver" process for qualifying F and J students. While insurance is required, a student may request a "waiver" from the University administered insurance program by showing that they are already enrolled in a program which has coverage equal to or greater than the University policy. Qualifying students must request a waiver through the International Center. Waivers must be requested no later than the University's "Census Date" (October 5, 2012 for those students enrolling the Fall 2012 semester and February 22, 2013 for those students enrolling in the Spring 2013 semester.) Students requesting a waiver after the "Census" date will be denied their request for a waiver for that semester and billed for the University insurance policy. A decision on a request for a waiver will be made within five working days or less by the International Center. (See instructions below on how to Waiver the University of Hartford insurance policy).

Highlights of the Coverage and Services offered by United Healthcare:

• Up to a $100,000 per each Injury or Sickness per policy.

• $100 deductible for Preferred Providers, $200 deductible for Out-of-Network Providers, per Insured Person per Policy Year.

• Deductibles and co-pays are waived when using Student Health Services (SHS). For this policy: Expenses at SHS are billed directly to the Insurance company. No out of pocket payment required by student

• $5,000 Out-of-Pocket maximum for Preferred Providers, $10,000 Out-of-Pocket maximum for Out-of-Network providers per Insured Person per Policy Year. Refer to the brochure for details about how the Out-of-Pocket maximum applies.

• The Preferred Provider is the UnitedHealthcare Options PPO network. Covered Medical Expenses for Preferred Providers are payable at 80% of Preferred Allowance and Out of Network benefits are payable at 60% of Usual and Customary charges (all benefits are subject to satisfaction of the deductible, specific benefit limitations, maximums and co-pays as described in the policy).

• Pre-existing conditions do not apply for students 19 or under .

• Network Prescription Drug Benefit at UHPS (Medco) pharmacies: $15 co-pay per prescription for Tier 1/$30 co-pay per prescription for Tier 2/ $50 co-pay for Tier 3 up to a 31-day supply per prescription. The Prescription Drug Benefit is also available at Out-of-Network pharmacies. Oral contraceptives covered at 100%, no copayment. Prescriptions are covered up to the policy maximum.

• Preventive Services benefit which includes annual physicals, GYN exams, routine screenings and immunizations, covered at 100%, no co-pays or deductibles to Preferred Providers only. Please refer to www.healthcare.gov for complete details of the services provided for specific risk groups.

• Coverage available for eligible dependents including Domestic Partners.

• Scholastic Emergency Services –  International Students are covered worldwide except in their home country.

Dependent Coverage (Spouse/Child)

The University of Hartford insurance program also offers coverage for a spouse or child(ren) at an additional cost. Dependents of an F-1 student are not required to have injury and sickness insurance coverage (unless enrolled as a full or part-time student), though the University strongly recommends coverage be purchased, particularly for a child(ren). Dependent(s) of a J-1 exchange visitor student must carry insurance that meets U.S. Department of State requirements (the university policy meets or exceeds these requirements).

Note:  An F-2  dependent who is enrolled as a student must have the required insurance coverage

Insurance Fees and Schedule for 2012-2013

Additional Optional Coverage

Dental Plan Coverage (Basix Dental Savings and Wellness)

The cost of dental care is a major concern to both students and health service administrators. To help with this issue, Gallagher Koster makes the Basix Dental Savings Program available to you. It is important to understand the Dental Savings Program is not dental insurance. Basix contracts with dentists that agree to charge a reduced fee to students covered under your Gallagher Koster plan. The student must pay for the services received at the time of service to receive the negotiated rate.

Savings vary but can be as high as 50% depending upon the type of service received and the specific contracted dentist providing the service. To use the program, simply:

• Make an appointment with a contracted dentist; all the contracted dentists are listed on our website, www.basixstudent.com.
• Make sure the dental office understands that you have access to the Basix program. We list an administrative contact person for each dentist to help clear up any confusion on the spot. We don't issue a separate identification card for the Basix program. The dentist's office may ask for your health plan identification card to make sure you have access to the program. If the office needs to check eligibility, call Gallagher Koster at 877-320-4347.
• Remember, you must pay for the services you receive at the time of service, so make sure you understand what forms of payment (check, credit card, etc.) the dentist accepts.

Eye Vision (EyeMed Vision Care)

This discount vision plan is available through EyeMed Vision Care. EyeMed's provider network consists of over 45,000 independent providers and retail stores nationwide, including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, JC Penney Optical, and many private practitioners.

This is not an insurance plan; there is no waiting period. Enrolled students can take advantage of the savings through EyeMed immediately upon receipt of their separate ID card. You can purchase prescription eyeglasses, conventional contact lenses or even non-prescription sunglasses at savings between 15% and 45% off regular retail pricing. In addition, you can receive discounts from 5% to 15% off laser correction surgery at some of the nation's most highly qualified laser correction surgeons.

Please click on the following link to download the EyeMed Flyer.

Please click on the following link to print an EyeMed ID Card: EyeMed ID Card.

To locate a participating provider, or if you have any additional questions, you can call 1-866-8EYEMED or go online at www.enrollwitheyemed.com.

How to request a Waiver

1. Complete a University Insurance Waiver Form

2. Bring your waiver form and insurance policy coverage document to the international Center (an insurance ID card is not acceptable as the university is required to determine that your policy meets specific insurance limitations and coverage)

3. Upon receipt of your Waiver request and supporting documentation, the International Center will update your University account with the Bursar's Office.  The charge for insurance will be removed from your account and that information will be sent to Gallagher Koster

      Your insurance should meet these minimum requirements to be eligible for a Waiver (other requirements may be applicable):

• Policy must be one year duration

• Company must be U.S. based and the address to submit claims must be in the U.S.  

• Plan maximum of at least $100,000 per policy year

• Deductible no greater than $250

• Wellness/preventative at 100% with no copayments

• No internal benefit caps on coverage categories (diagnostics, lab, hospital, R&B, pharmacy, mental health, etc.)

• Travel assistance for medical evacuation and repatriation

• pre-existing condition coverage after 6 months to one year

• No waiting periods for pre-existing conditions for students 19 or younger

 Note:

• A private insurance policy must be issued from a U.S. based company. Insurance policies issued to you from non U.S. based insurance companies will not be accepted. Insurance policies issued for short-term coverage are not considered comparable coverage

• Waivers for the 2012-2013 academic year will be processed through the International Center.  In future years, students will request waivers directly on-line through Gallagher Koster.

Who to Contact

Questions regarding this insurance policy (including coverage limitations) should be addressed to Gallagher Koster or the International Center (GSU 327).  You may view the Policy Coverage Limitations and the Frequently Asked Questions information document at these sites. 

Medical Claim Form

You may download a copy of the Medical Claim Form here

Non University Insurance Policies

The University does not recommend non university Injury and Sickness policies to students. However, to assist you in finding other policies that meet minimum government requirements, we have identified the company below as meeting the requirements of the "Affordable Care Act."  You may also do a Google search (type in international student insurance) to find more providers offering international student insurance coverage:ISO Student Health Insurance

Note: The University assumes no responsibility in recommending outside insurance providers and is only responsible in assessing the coverage of any outside policy you choose to determine if it meets university and government requirements for coverage.

How to get a copy of your insurance card

Those that are enrolled in this program may also get a copy of their insurance card and policy information through our insurance company’s website.

Here are instructions on how to do that.

Step 1: Go to the link: https://www.gallagherkoster.com/students/student-home.php?idField=1246

Step 2: Create an account

Step 3: Go to Authorize Account and sign in using your University of Hartford student ID and birth date.

Step 4: Print out your insurance card.

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