I am an international student and I have always been required to have health insurance at Emory. However, I never heard about this 'United States-domiciled' insurance company requirement. Is this new? Can't I have insurance from my home country?

All international students at Emory have been required to have health insurance or to purchase the Emory student plan. Emory has found that receiving health insurance benefits from international carriers for medical care in the United States can often be incomplete and problematic. Under certain circumstances, we will allow students to have insurance with an international carrier if the insurance company has a claims-processing agreement with an American firm. Please contact our Student Health Services Insurance Office if you have questions about this situation. The Student Health Insurance Plan, offered by Aetna Student Health, meets all additional insurance requirements for international students. Additional information can be found on the International Student and Scholar Services website at isss.emory.edu.

 

1. Where do I get my primary medical care under the Student Health Insurance Plan? At Student Health Services?

Yes, Emory University Student Health Services (EUSHS) is the primary care provider under the plan. Visits to EUSHS are free for enrolled students, and the Student Health Insurance Plan plan pays 100% of covered services at EUSHS (lab tests, medical supplies, annual physical examinations, medications, immunizations, Travel Clinic, etc.).

2. What if I don't have the Student Health Insurance Plan? Can I still go to Student Health Services?

Yes, absolutely! Your visits are still free (covered by your tuition).

3. What if I don't have the Student Health Insurance Plan and I get billed for ancillary services at Student Health Services?

Please view information about fees/charges and insurance coverage here.

4. I have heard that I have to have a referral to see a specialist under the Student Health Insurance Plan. Is that true?

Yes, and there are a few exceptions listed below. There is a referral requirement under the plan. Emory University Student Health Services (EUSHS) offers students comprehensive primary and specialty services coordinated by EUSHS. In most cases, covered students and covered student’s spouses and/or covered dependents age 18 years or older in need of medical care should, except in the case of a medical emergency, experiencing a new ailment should first seek treatment and be evaluated at EUSHS. You may be referred to an outside medical provider if required specialist medical care is unavailable at EUSHS. If you are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, a referral is necessary to receive the maximum benefit under your Student Health Insurance Plan, except in the following instances:

1. Treatment of an emergency medical condition; or
2. When EUSHS is closed; or
3. When the service is rendered at another facility during breaks or vacation periods; or
4. When medical care is received by a covered person who is more than 50 miles from campus; or
5. When medical care is received by a covered person who is no longer able to use the EUSHS due to a change in student status such as graduating or LOA/withdrawal; or
6. Ob/Gyn services; or
7. Dermatological services; or
8. Chiropractic care; or
9. All x-rays, labs and high cost procedures; or
10. Routine dental services including the treatment and extraction of wisdom teeth; or
11. Preventive/Routine services (services considered preventive according to Health Care Reform and/or services rendered not to diagnose or treat an accident or sickness).
12. Continuation plan

A new referral must be obtained if continuous treatment is being received from one policy year to the next. Please note that student’s dependents under age 18 are not permitted to use EUSHS and therefore are exempt from the referral limitations and requirements.

If you have any questions or you need to renew a referral to an existing specialist, send a message through the student patient portal to the “referral coordinator” to assist you or call the office at 404-727-7551 to speak with the front office for assistance.

If I waived off the Student Health Insurance Plan my first year, then I am good for the next four years at Emory, right?

No! Every Emory degree-seeking and international student must complete the enrollment/waiver process once a year (each Fall Semester) every year.

What if I make a mistake while I am completing the waiver, or if my insurance situation changes between the day I complete the waiver and the September 1^st deadline?

You may re-enter the OPUS mandatory insurance waiver site as many times as you wish prior to September 1 and cancel or change your waiver.

What if I fail the waiver process or I miss the deadline and get charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan and I want to appeal the charge? Can I do that?

Every waiver that is submitted, is subject to verification to ensure the accuracy and essential coverage of each individual plan. If your waiver does not satisfy the insurance requirements (located under the Waiver tab), you will need to contact your insurance company for benefit verification or call Aetna Student Health at 1-877-261-8403 to confirm the reason for the denial. If you miss the September 1 waiver deadline, you will be required to remain on the Emory student health plan for the remainder of the semester. If you have questions or concerns about the student insurance requirement or your individual situation relative to the requirement, please contact the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan Office at 404-727-8959 or mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu.

When can I complete my waiver each year?

The online student insurance requirement waiver site for new and continuing Emory University students (including Oxford College) typically opens in May and will close at 5:00 pm on September 1. You can access the waiver site via your OPUS account at www.opus.emory.edu.

I already completed my insurance waiver for summer. Now I hear that I also have to do a waiver for fall. Is that true?

Yes! The summer is considered part of the previous academic year. The annual waiver needs to be updated in the fall. At Emory, we say “Student Insurance Requirement: Every Student, Every Year.” If you do not wish to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan, the waiver process must be completed EACH year you are enrolled at Emory University for the upcoming academic year. If you have questions about the insurance waiver/enrollment process, contact the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan office at mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu (preferred) or by calling 404-727-8959. 

I am an international student here for only one year and I will not be getting an Emory degree. Why am I still required to have insurance if I am non-degree seeking?

Our international students do need insurance while here, even if they are not degree-seeking. It is an Emory University requirement, and also may be a requirement of your visa.

I am a student in the Laney Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and I am eligible to get a subsidy to help pay for insurance. I would like to enroll in the student insurance plan. Do I still need to go to the OPUS website?

No, the waiver site is for waivers only, not insurance enrollment. LGS will then post the subsidy to your Student Financial Services account for their portion of the premium. If this still does not make sense or occur, contact the LGS Student Affairs office.

I still don't understand this requirement, the waiver process, etc. Can you help me?

For more information about Emory's health insurance requirement and the Student Health Insurance Plan, go to this link studentinsurance.emory.edu. If you have further questions about the insurance enrollment/waiver process, please contact the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan office at mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu or 404-727-8959.

If an Emory student is on the Student Health Insurance Plan for fall semester, can they switch for the spring semester to another health insurance plan?

Students on the Student Health Insurance Plan have an individual contract with Emory for insurance for the entire academic year. Because the insured students have contracted with Emory for an annual plan, students will not be eligible to voluntarily cancel the Student Health Insurance Plan for purposes of enrolling in a different plan for the remainder of the academic year. Please call the insurance office at 404-727-8959 or send an email to mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu if you have questions about your specific situation.

What if an Emory student on the Student Health Insurance Plan graduates at the end of the 2020 Fall semester or takes a leave of absence for the Spring Semester? Can those students enroll in an insurance plan through the ACA exchanges?

Yes. If a student on the Student Health Insurance Plan experiences a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) due to graduation or withdrawal/leave of absence from Emory, and loses coverage under the Student Health Insurance Plan, there are several options for ongoing coverage:

• The Student Health Insurance Plan offers one month of extended coverage under the Continuation Plan. For more information about the continuation plan, click here to access the Forms page on our website, then click on the Emory Insurance Continuation Application form link, or contact our EUSHS Insurance Office at 404-727-8959.
• The graduated or former student may obtain insurance through a new job, or through a parent/family policy due to a Qualifying Life Event.
• In addition, there may be insurance options available through the ACA Healthcare Marketplace at healthcare.gov. This ACA “special enrollment period” is open 60 days before the loss of coverage and 60 days after. The ACA website recommends that enrollment in the new plan be completed no later than 15 days prior to loss of coverage, in order to reduce the risk of a gap in coverage.

What happens when I graduate in the spring, or decide to leave the Student Health Insurance Plan after the policy year ends in the summer? Isn't it then too late for me to enroll in a plan on the ACA health insurance exchanges?

No, it won't be too late for you to enroll in an exchange plan as long as you experience a qualifying life event. If you are eligible for an exchange plan, and you have concluded your enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan, you will have an ACA exchange “special enrollment period” open 60 days before the loss of coverage and 60 days after. The ACA website recommends that enrollment in the new plan be completed no later than 15 days prior to loss of coverage, in order to reduce the risk of a gap in coverage.

Where do I go if I have questions about Emory's health insurance requirement or the online enrollment/waiver process?

For answers to these questions, please contact:

Emory University Student Health Services
Student Health Insurance Plan Office
1525 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30322
404-727-8959
mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu

Where do I go if I have questions about enrollment, insurance benefits or claims processing?

For answers to these questions, contact:

Aetna Student Health Claims Administrators, Inc.
P.O. Box 981106 El Paso, TX 79998
(877) 261-8403

What if I am more comfortable looking up answers to my questions and getting information online?

As an Aetna Student Health insurance member, you have access to Aetna Navigator®, your secure member website, packed with personalized benefits and health information. You can take full advantage of this interactive website to complete a variety of self-service transactions online. By logging on to Aetna Navigator, you can:

• Review who is covered under your plan.
• Request member ID cards.
• View Claim Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements.
• Estimate the cost of common health care services and procedures to better plan your expenses.
• Research the price of a drug and learn if there are alternatives.
• Find health care professionals and facilities that participate in the Emory Student Insurance Plan.
• Send an e-mail to Aetna Student Health Customer Service at your convenience.
• View the latest health information and news, and more!

To register for Aetna Navigator:

1. Click here.
2. Click on Members Aetna Navigator.
3. Follow the instructions for First Time User by clicking on the "Register Now" link.
4. Select a user name, password and security phrase.

If you need help with registration, assistance is available toll free, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-225-3375.

What if I have questions about or problems with my Aetna insurance ID card?

Permanent ID cards will be available online at www.aetnastudenthealth.com/emory.  If you need medical attention before your ID card is received, benefits will be payable in accordance with the Policy. You do not need an ID card to be eligible to receive benefits. If you need a temporary ID card, you can obtain one from the Aetna Student Health website at www.aetnastudenthealth.com/emory or contact the EUSHS Student Health Insurance Plan Office for assistance. Once you have received your ID card, present it to the provider to facilitate payment of your claims. You will receive a unique Aetna member ID number on your membership card. For lost ID cards, contact Aetna Student Health Administrators, Inc. at (877) 261-8403, or visit here.

How do I find a list of preferred providers under the Student Health Insurance Plan?

A complete list of preferred providers can be found at Emory University Student Health Services (EUSHS), or you can use Aetna's DocFind® Service located here. Click on the Find a Doctor link.  You can use DocFind® to find out whether a specific provider belongs to Aetna's network or to find Preferred Providers practicing in your area.