Why is it important to have a U.S. health insurance plan?

Even if you come from a country with a national health plan, it may not cover your care in the United States. Health care costs are rising rapidly, and one injury or illness can mean long-term financial distress for you and your family. The New School Student Health Insurance Plan protects you from financial hardship resulting from an illness or injury requiring costly or prolonged medical care. With New School–sponsored Student Health Insurance, an Aetna Open Choice Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan administered by Aetna Student Health, you are assured that your health plan is recognized by doctors and hospitals in the United States and that you have some financial protection from unexpected or catastrophic medical costs. This protection includes in-network* discounts and benefit coverage that can dramatically reduce the cost of medical care. Without insurance, you would be responsible for paying the entire amount, which generally exceeds the cost of care in other countries.

*Providers (doctors, hospitals, labs, imaging facilities, pharmacies, etc.) that belong to Aetna’s network are called preferred providers or in-network providers. Providers that do not belong to Aetna’s network are called non-preferred providers or out-of-network providers. Students can use either preferred or non-preferred providers, but using non-preferred providers results in higher out-of-pocket expenses.

Does the New School Student Health Insurance Plan meet J-1 and F-1 visa insurance requirements?

Yes; the New School plan meets all of the requirements for students on J-1 visas and all recommendations for international students on F-1 visas. These benefits include but are not limited to medical benefits of $500,000 for each accident or illness, a national prescription drug program, access to local medical providers, unlimited medical evacuation, return of mortal remains, worldwide emergency travel assistance, and a $10,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit.

Who is eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan?

All degree, diploma, online only, visiting, mobility (study abroad), Lang and Parsons consortium, graduate certificate program, ESL + Design, ESL + Music, and both graduate and undergraduate degree program nonmatriculating students are eligible. All eligible students are automatically charged. Students must be registered for classes by the semester waiver deadline date to be eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan.

What is Student Health Insurance and what does it cover?

You can pick up a 2013-2014 Student Accident and Sickness Plan Highlight Flyer or Plan Brochure and other insurance information at Student Health Services, 80 Fifth Avenue, 3rd floor. View the entire 2013-2014 Student Health Services and Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan Brochure online at www.aetnastudenthealth.com. It is your responsibility to understand the nature and scope of benefits and limitations and to abide by stated deadlines.

How much does the Student Health Insurance Plan cost?

The plan costs $2,602 for the 2013-2014 policy year. Students are charged $1,055 for the fall semester and $1,547 for the spring semester.

Why do I have to pay the $305 Student Health Services Fee?

This fee enables students to use medical, counseling, and wellness and health promotion services provided at New School Student Health Services, located at 80 Fifth Avenue, 3rd floor. Most services provided at Student Health Services are free of charge. The $305 per semester fee is mandatory for all undergraduates enrolled for six (6) or more credits, including ESL + Design students, ESL + Music students, and all students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, regardless of their place of study (e.g., online only or study abroad). Undergraduates taking six (6) or more credits, including ESL + Design and ESL + Music students, cannot waive this fee. The fee also includes a Basic Accident Plan (Plan 1) that is required by the university. The Basic Accident Plan covers students worldwide for up to $10,000 per occurrence. This accident coverage is required for all undergraduates (enrolled for 6 or more credits), including ESL + Design and ESL + Music students, even students with their own personal insurance.

Does the Student Health Insurance Plan cover me when I am off campus during semester breaks?

Yes; your coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2013, and terminates at 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2014. You are covered for the entire policy year, whether you are on or off campus. For students who enroll in the spring semester, coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. on January 15, 2014, and terminates at 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2014.

Does the Student Health Insurance Plan cover me when I am abroad?

Yes; the New School Student Health Insurance Plan provides worldwide coverage. As a participant in the Aetna Student Accident and Sickness program, you have access to emergency assistance services when you are traveling 100 miles away from campus or outside your country of residence. During your policy-effective period, you can access On Call International Worldwide Emergency Travel Assistance Services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 866.525.1956 within the United States and 603.328.1956 outside the United States. On Call International provides a wide array of services to assist you in the event of an emergency, including evacuation and repatriation services. Emergency travel assistance services are covered 100 percent as long as services are coordinated through On Call International.

When will I receive my Aetna insurance ID card?

Aetna begins issuing insurance ID cards after receiving student information from The New School. Aetna receives the final list of students the day after the waiver deadline date. Students who pre-register receive their ID cards earlier. Please note: Cards are mailed to students’ official mailing addresses and are not mailed internationally. Students must update their official mailing address through MyNewSchool Online Services. As an Aetna Student Health Insurance member, you have access to Aetna Navigator™, a secure interactive member website, which offers personalized benefits and health information. The website allows you to complete a variety of transactions online, including requesting or printing an ID card and viewing claim Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements. Register by visiting www.aetnastudenthealth.com. If you need help with registration, assistance is available toll-free, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time at 800.225.3375.

How can I find an Aetna doctor and Aetna pharmacy?

To find an in-network provider, use Aetna's DocFind. Click on the "Find a Doctor, Hospital, or Pharmacy" link at www.aetnastudenthealth.com.

How do I get a prescription filled?

Students must present their Aetna insurance ID cards to the pharmacy to have prescriptions filled. Students who have not received their insurance ID cards can obtain a prescription from a preferred Aetna pharmacy by having the pharmacist contact Aetna Pharmacy Management at 800.238.6279 to verify coverage. Students whose status as plan members is not yet reflected in Aetna’s system must pay for the prescription and submit the receipt and prescription stub with a completed Aetna Pharmacy Drug Claim Form in order to be reimbursed by Aetna (for covered medications). Students' status is generally updated in Aetna’s system two to four weeks after registration for classes. You can get an Aetna prescription claim form by visiting www.aetnastudenthealth.com.

I paid for Student Health Insurance. Why was I told my insurance coverage has terminated?

Enrollment updates are done at the beginning of every semester to ensure that only registered students are enrolled in Student Health Insurance. During these update periods, all students’ coverage appears as “terminated” as of the last day of the most recent coverage period. Aetna does not update students' enrollment information until after they have registered for classes. Once the update is complete, students' Aetna records reflect no lapse in coverage, and students can submit any recent or denied claims for reimbursement. Updates are generally completed two to four weeks after class registration.

I have my own insurance and do not want to be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. What should I do?

Students who do not wish to be enrolled must submit an Online Waiver Form by the appropriate deadline by going to www.universityhealthplans.com (select the "New School" link).

Do I need to complete and submit an Online Waiver Form every year?

Yes; an Online Waiver Form must be submitted once every academic year. Students who waived Student Health Fee(s) in the fall semester and had the fee(s) removed are automatically waived for the spring semester the day after registering for classes; no action is necessary. New students admitted for the 2014 spring semester must complete the online form for the academic year before the spring waiver deadline date of February 24, 2014.

Students who miss the 2013 fall waiver deadline date of September 24, 2013, are responsible for payment of Student Health Fee(s). (See the previous question on how to waive the fee(s)). Because health care in New York City is expensive, international students who do not have adequate medical care and mental health coverage are strongly encouraged to remain enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. If you waive or are ineligible for New School Student Health Insurance, you must provide a copy of your health insurance plan information to International Student Services for your file. Please make sure that this insurance is comparable to that offered by The New School in terms of benefits, and keep your health insurance information, in English, including the U.S. contact number, with you at all times.