Domestic Student Health Insurance

2012-2013 Academic Year Insurance

• Starting Fall 2012 all full time (12 credits or more) undergraduate students are required to carry health insurance. Please visit the UAlbany Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) website for details at http://www.albany.edu/ship
• Insurance for International Students is required and is administered by the Office of International Education. Please contact the Office of International Education for information on this topic.
• Domestic part time students taking at least 6 credits are eligible for the same UAlbany SHIP http://www.albany.edu/ship as full time undergraduate students. Please visit www.uhcsr.com to learn more and sign up.
• Domestic full time graduate students taking at least 6 credits are eligible for the same UAlbany SHIP http://www.albany.edu/ship as full time undergraduate students. Please visit www.uhcsr.com to learn more and sign up.

 

Other possible insurance options for New York State Residents: Options

2011-2012 Academic Year Insurance Plans

UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (UHCSR) is the optional domestic insurance carrier for the 2011-2012 academic year. Enrollment and payment will be directly with UnitedHealthcare (see instructions below). The brochure, rates for Spouse, Children, Optional Coverage and enrollment forms can be found at www.uhcsr.com (Select "Find My School's Plan" and enter “albany” ).

Here are the student rates, coverage dates and enrollment deadlines:

Year 2011-12 Plans	Annual	Spring& Summer	Spring Only	Summer Only
Coverage Dates	8/20/11- 8/19/12	1/19/12- 8/19/12	1/19/12- 5/19/12	5/20/12- 8/19/12
Deadlines	9/20/11	2/19/12	2/19/11	6/20/12
Student	$1,565	$913	$519	$610

 

Coverage for the insurance will only begin once UHCSR receives the enrollment and full premium payment. 

Step by Step Online Enrollment:

 1. Visit www.uhcsr.com
2. Select “Buy College Student Health Insurance Now” tab from the home page
3. Enter “albany” and select search
4. Carefully review the policy brochure and select the “Enroll Now” link from the menu
5. Confirm that your school name is correct
6. Enter basic information and select “Continue”
7. Select your plan and optional coverage if desired
8. Select a user name and password for your online account
9. Enter additional student information and select payment method
10. After verifying payment method, select “Continue” to purchase the policy

You will receive your permanent ID card in the mail at the address you provide soon after your enrollment has been processed.  If you need to see a provider before receiving your permanent ID card, you may print a copy of your card after logging into “My Account” at www.uhcsr.com.

Can I cancel the insurance once I've enrolled?
Once the insurance premium is paid the insurance CANNOT be canceled!

What if I have additional questions?
You may contact UnitedHealthcare at 800-767-0700 or customerservice@uhcsr.com for questions regarding items such as enrollment, covered expenses, reimbursement. If they cannot answer your questions, you may email the University Health Center at askUHC@uamail.albany.edu.

 

Click here to sign up for your free copy of Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies.

Health Insurance for College Students What Everyone Should Know

What are their potential needs?
While most UAlbany students come to the University Health Center for relatively minor conditions, occasionally, a student will become ill away from home and need immediate attention. Conditions such as significant musculoskeletal injuries, high fevers, or severe abdominal pain may require services unavailable at the Health Center.

Though most insurance will cover visits to a hospital emergency department (for true emergencies), coverage for other services is variable from one carrier to another. This is especially true of HMO's. Additionally, some insurance carriers do not insure dependent children after the age of 19.

Services which may or may not be covered (either completely or partially) include:

1. Urgent care visits
2. Local specialists
3. Lab tests (not available in the Health Center)
4. X-rays ordered by UAlbany Health Center Providers
5. Sexually Transmitted Disease tests
6. PAP tests

What proof of insurance will the student need while in Albany?
When the student comes to college, it is important that they have an updated insurance card to carry in their wallet. They must bring the insurance card to every University Health Center visit as well as to every physician, pharmacy, hospital, radiological and laboratory visit.

What about ambulance service?
UAlbany has a student volunteer ambulance service called 5 Quad. When a student is transported to the hospital by 5 Quad, the ride is free of charge. In some cases, however, if 5 Quad is not available, the student will need transportation by a local ambulance company and there will be a charge for the transport. You should check with your insurance carrier to be sure that this is covered in your plan.

What's the best way to determine what our family policy covers?
The best way to determine if your insurance company covers the student while they are in Albany is to call them directly and ask them the pertinent questions. Here is a check list:

• Does your insurance cover emergency department visits?
• Does your insurance cover urgent care facility visits?
• Does your insurance cover specialist physicians in the Albany area?
• Does your insurance cover prescriptions ordered by an out of area provider?
• Will your insurance cover lab tests & x-rays ordered by the UAlbany Health Center Physicians, Physician Assistants & Nurse Practitioners?
• If lab work is covered, which lab is the carrier affiliated with?
• If the coverage offered is insufficient, does your insurance offer a "rider" at an additional charge which will expand coverage?
• Does your insurance cover dependents after age 19?
• Does your insurance cover emergency transport (ambulance service)?

Please remember it is the student's responsibility to understand what their insurance does and does not cover. In cases of uncertainty, the student or their parents should contact the insurance carrier.