University Health Center

Does the University offer any insurance policy for college students?
The University offers a comprehensive form of accident and sickness insurance for domestic students enrolled in 6 or more on campus credit hours.

Insurance for International Students is administered by the Office of International Education. Please contact the Office of International Education for information on this topic.

NEW: 2009-2010 Academic Year Insurance Plans

UnitedHealthcare StudentResources will again be the insurance carrier for the 2009-2010 academic year. One big change is that enrollment will be done directly with UnitedHealthcare (see instructions below) and no longer take place through MyUAlbany. The brochure, rates for Spouse, Children, Optional Coverage and enrollment forms can be found at www.uhcsr.com.

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

Year 2009-10 Plans	Annual	Fall Only	Spring& Summer	Spring Only	Summer Only
Coverage Dates	8/20/09- 8/19/10	8/20/09- 1/19/10	1/20/10- 8/19/10	1/20/10- 5/26/10	5/27/10- 8/19/10
Deadlines	9/20/09	9/20/08	2/20/10	2/20/10	6/27/10
Student	$1,483	$622	$861	$516	$345

NOTICE:
How you enroll in the Student Health Insurance Program is changing this year

Beginning Fall 2009, the student health insurance premium will not be added to your tuition bill. You will now be responsible for enrolling in the insurance directly with UnitedHealthcare StudentResources and making the payment directly to UnitedHealthcare StudentResources.

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 “UAS - Univ. at Albany” or “2009-201212-1” 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

UAlbany strongly recommends that each student have health insurance when they arrive on campus. In addition, it is important that the policy be suitable for their potential needs.

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:

Lab Work
The University Health Center performs some in-house lab work, such as pregnancy testing, rapid strep tests or urine tests. However, in many cases, lab work will need to be sent to a local laboratory for testing. Please check with your insurance company to see which is a particpating lab. All students will need to sign a waiver at the time of all lab work performed at the Health Center. This waiver places the responsibility of payment upon the student in the event their insurance does not cover the ordered 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:

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.