How much is the Student Health Insurance?

$1,714 for the 2009-2010 policy year. You will be charged $691 the fall semester and $1,023 the spring semester.

How do I enroll? Am I eligible?

All degree, diploma, online only, visiting, mobility (study abroad), Lang and Parsons consortium, graduate certificate program, and graduate and undergraduate degree program non-matriculating students will be AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED AND CHARGED for Student Health Insurance.

Milano branch campuses and Parsons Decorative Arts, Washington, DC, are NOT eligible for the Student Health Insurance.

Plan 1: Basic Accident
Students who pay the Student Health Services Fee will have access to Student Health Services and will be covered by Plan 1 – Basic Accident Plan. Coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2009, and continues until 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2009. Coverage under Plan 1 ends at 12:01 a.m. on January 15, 2010, for students not returning for the spring 2010 semester.

Plan 2: Accident and Sickness
Students who pay the Student Health Insurance Fee will be covered by Plan 2 - Accident and Sickness Plan ($1,714 annual, to be billed in two installments; $691 for fall semester and $1,023 for spring semester). Coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2009, and continues until 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2010. Coverage under Plan 2 ends at 12:01 a.m. January 15, 2010, for students not returning for the spring semester.

Eligibility Chart

**Note that you must be covered under Plan 1 in order to purchase Plan 2.

When does coverage begin/end?

Coverage begins on 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2009 and ends at 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2010. Your coverage will be effective August 20, 2009 (fall semester), or January 15, 2010 (spring semester) for students not enrolled in the fall, as long as you register before the waiver deadline. The Student Health Insurance is an annual policy; therefore, partial coverage is not an option for enrolled eligible students.

What does my insurance cover? How can I learn more about the Student Health Insurance and Student Health Services?

You can pick up a 2009-2010 Student Accident and Sickness Plan Flyer at Student Health Services or you can view the 2009-2010 Student Health Services and Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan Brochure online by accessing the Aetna Student Health website. Go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com (click on “Find Your School” and enter 812804 as your policy number). If you have specific medical care questions that are not addressed in the flyer or brochure please contact Aetna Student Health Customer Service at 800.878.1927. It is your responsibility to understand the nature and scope of benefits and limitations as well as to abide by stated deadlines.

How do I maximize my savings and reduce medical expenses?

To maximize your savings and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, select a Preferred Provider. It is to your advantage to use a Preferred Provider because you can save significantly through the substantially lower rates these providers have agreed to accept as payment for their services. Preferred Providers are independent contractors and are neither employees nor agents of The New School, Aetna Student Health, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut (Aetna), or University Health Plans, Inc. You can obtain information regarding Preferred Providers online by accessing Aetna’s DocFind Service. Be sure to enter your zip code and select Standard Plan, Open Choice PPO as your health plan type. You may also contact Aetna Student Health at 800.878.1927.

Why do I have to pay the $250 Student Health Services Fee in addition to the Student Health Insurance Fee?

This fee enables students to use Medical, Counseling, and Health Education Services provided at The New School Student Health Services located at 135 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10003, 212.229.1671. Most services provided at Student Health Services are free of charge. The $250 per semester fee is mandatory for all undergraduates enrolled in (6) six or more credits and all students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan regardless of their place of study (e.g. online only, study abroad, etc.). An undergraduate enrolled in (6) six or more credits CANNOT waive this fee. This fee also includes a Basic Accident Plan (Plan 1) required by the university. The Basic Accident Plan covers students worldwide up to $10,000 per occurrence. This accident coverage is required by all undergraduates (6+ credits) enrolled at The New School, even if the student has his/her own personal insurance.

Where do I access the Online Waiver Form?

Students who do not wish to be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan 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 an Online Waiver Form every semester?

You must submit a new Online Waiver Form EVERY fall. Those who do not register in the fall must submit an Online Waiver Form in the spring. If you submit an Online Waiver Form in the fall and the fee(s) are removed, you will be automatically waived for the spring; no action is necessary. The Student Health Insurance Plan is an annual policy; therefore, partial coverage is not an option. If a student uses the policy (the student or provider [doctor, lab, etc.] on behalf of the student submits a claim to Aetna Student Health), the student is required to pay the full annual premium if still enrolled and eligible in the spring. Students who miss the fall waiver deadline and never use the policy may choose to waive the second premium payment billed to them at the time they register in the spring as long as an Online Waiver Form is submitted by the spring waiver deadline.

How can I find an Aetna doctor and Aetna pharmacy?

A complete list of providers can be found at the Aetna Student Health website. Go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com (click on “Find Your School” and enter 812804 as your policy number, then click on “DocFind”).

I’m graduating this year. How will that affect my insurance?

If you graduate in December, you will be covered for the full semester. Your coverage for the fall semester is 12:01 a.m. August 20, 2009 until 12:01 a.m. January 15, 2010. You will NOT be eligible for the Student Health Insurance in the spring semester. If you graduate in May, you will be covered until 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2010 (students must be registered to be eligible).

When will I receive my Aetna insurance ID card?

Once the insurance company receives your name and student information from The New School you will be issued an insurance ID card. The insurance company will receive the final list of students the day after the waiver deadline (students who pre-register receive their ID cards earlier).

I need a prescription, how do I get my prescription filled?

Students must present their Aetna Insurance ID card to the pharmacy in order to fill a prescription. Students who have not received their insurance ID cards may obtain a prescription from a preferred Aetna Pharmacy by having the pharmacist contact Aetna Pharmacy Management at 800.238.6279 to verify that he/she is covered. Students not yet updated in Aetna’s system must purchase the prescription and submit the receipt and prescription stub with a completed Aetna Pharmacy Drug Claim Form to be reimbursed for covered medications directly from Aetna. Students are updated within Aetna’s system approximately 2-4 weeks after registering for classes. Get an Aetna claim form by accessing www.aetnastudenthealth.com (click on “Find Your School” and enter 812804 as your policy number).

I have the Student Health Insurance but I’m being told that my medical and prescription coverage has ended. Why?

To ensure that ONLY registered students are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, Aetna will not update your enrollment information until notification of your registration is received from the university. The insurance company will receive the final list of eligible students the day after the waiver deadline. After Aetna has received your updated enrollment information you may submit any new or denied claims for processing. Aetna will reimburse you for covered out-of-pocket expenses that you have incurred. Students enrolled in the fall should be aware that this may affect them during January and February.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is a specific dollar amount the student is responsible for paying before the insurance company will begin to pay. The Student Health Insurance Plan deductible is $100. You only need to meet your deductible once per policy year. Example of how the deductible works: Your provider (doctor, lab, etc.) submits a bill to the insurance company and the charge is $300. The insurance company will automatically take the first $100 and apply it to your deductible (you must pay the provider this amount). Then the insurance company will pay a percentage of the remaining charge of $200 (the percentage depends on whether the provider is an Aetna Preferred Provider or Non-Preferred Provider–see your Plan Brochure). If the provider is an Aetna Preferred Provider, the insurance company will pay 90% of the remaining $200 and you will be responsible for 10% (this is your coinsurance amount). You will receive a bill from the provider for $120 ($100 deductible and $20 coinsurance). The next time a bill/claim is submitted to the insurance you will only be responsible for the coinsurance amount (of covered medical expenses) because you already met your deductible.

What do I do if my bill wasn't paid?

There could be several reasons for this. These are the steps you must take:

1. You must make sure that the provider (doctor, lab, etc.) has your insurance information. The provider needs a copy of your Aetna Insurance ID card. All the necessary information they need is on your ID card.
2. Make sure that the provider has sent your bill/claim to your insurance (Aetna Student Health). You can contact Aetna Student Health at 800.878.1927 to verify that your bill/claim has been received.
3. If the insurance company DOES NOT have a bill/claim from your provider, then you need to give your provider your insurance information and ask them to send an itemized bill to Aetna Student Health.
4. If the insurance company DOES have a bill/claim from your provider, then you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement from the insurance company explaining how the claim was paid. Further documentation or information may be needed in order to process your claim. You can find this out from the “remarks” section on the EOB. You may call Aetna Student Health Customer Service at 800.878.1927 to provide any additional information required from you.
5. Check your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement to determine what amount you are responsible for paying to your provider.

Are there claim forms?

Bills for medical services do not require a claim form. However, you should indicate on the bill that you are a New School student and include your Student ID Number. To request reimbursement for prescriptions for which you paid, you will need to complete a prescription drug claim form and submit it with a receipt and prescription stub. Prescription drug claim forms can be obtained at the New School Student Health Services office or downloaded and printed from Aetna Student Health’s website: www.aetnastudenthealth.com (click on "Find Your School," and enter 812804 as your policy number). Please note: any request for reimbursement will be denied during the update period; wait until enrollment is updated to mail your reimbursement request.

What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Statement?

A form you receive from the insurance company each time a claim is submitted on your behalf. A copy is sent to you, and one is sent to your provider (doctor, lab, etc.). It explains how your claim was processed and/or paid. It will include some or all of the following information: what provider you saw, the date, the amount the provider billed, any discounts that may apply, the amount paid and to whom it was paid, any amount that went toward your deductible, the coinsurance amount you are responsible for, and the reason for denial if your claim was denied.

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

Yes, The New School Student Health Insurance Plan does include worldwide coverage. As an active participant in the Aetna Student Accident & Sickness program, you now have access to emergency assistance services when you are traveling 100 miles away from campus or outside your country of residence. You can access On Call International Worldwide Emergency Travel Assistance Services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year during your policy effective period at: 866.525.1956 within the U.S., 603.328.1956 outside the U.S. On Call International provides a wide array of services to assist you in the event of an emergency, including evacuation and repatriation services. Please take special note that when travel takes place outside of the United States, The New School Student Health Insurance Plan will cover expenses for any accident or sickness at the “non-preferred” (out-of-network) benefit rate, which means that the New School Student Health Insurance Plan will cover 60% of the “reasonable charge” for any accident or sickness related event. Emergency Travel Assistance Services are covered 100% as long as services are coordinated through On Call International.

Can I set up an online account with the insurance company to access my personal plan information and get a temporary ID card?

Yes, 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 an interactive website to complete a variety of self-service transactions online, including printing a temporary ID card, requesting a member ID card, and viewing claim Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements. Register by visiting www.aetnastudenthealth.com (click on “Find Your School” and enter 812804 as your policy number). Aetna Navigator™ access is available via a tab on the left-hand side. Need help with registration? 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.

What if I want to enroll in the Student Health Insurance later?

Students who waive the insurance can NOT enroll in the insurance AFTER the waiver deadline.

The Student Health Insurance Plan is an annual policy; therefore, partial coverage is not an option. If you waive the Student Health Insurance, it is with the understanding that you have your own comparable health insurance policy. You should be positive your health insurance will provide all necessary medical and mental health coverage before electing to waive the Student Plan for the fall semester. Any enrollment occurring after September 29, 2009, is considered a late enrollment. For the spring semester, any enrollment occurring after February 22, 2010, is considered a late enrollment. If you register after these deadlines you will not be eligible for the Student Health Insurance regardless of your status. Under certain circumstances, coverage for late enrollees may be possible.

I waived the Student Health Insurance but my personal insurance coverage will end during the semester, can I re-enroll?

Yes. This is the only circumstance in which you will be permitted to pick up the insurance AFTER the waiver deadline has passed. You MUST provide proof (written documentation from your personal insurance company or employer) that your most recent medical coverage has terminated. You must submit your documentation to Student Health Services and complete a Request to Enroll Form within 30 days of termination (you will not be permitted to enroll if you do not inform Student Health Services of the termination prior to, or within 30 days of the termination date). Your coverage will be effective approximately two (2) days after Student Health Services receives your documents. If you elect to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must also pay the Student Health Services Fee. You will be required to pay the full amount for both the Student Health Insurance and Student Health Services Fee for the semester you are enrolling in, regardless of the date you enroll.

Can I enroll in the Student Health Insurance if I am NOT attending school next semester?

No. Only students who are eligible and enrolled at The New School are eligible to participate in the Student Health Insurance. You will need to independently investigate and purchase an individual policy once you are no longer a student. Student Health Services can provide you with a partial list that will help you get started.

Am I covered if I withdraw from school?

Any student withdrawing from the university before the semester waiver deadline will receive a full refund of the Student Health Insurance Fee as long as no claim against the plan has been paid.

Any student who paid the Student Health Insurance Fee and withdraws from the university after the semester waiver deadline will remain covered in the university-sponsored Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan (Plan 2) for the full policy period (Fall coverage period: August 20, 2009–January 15, 2010; Spring coverage period: January 15, 2010–August 20, 2010). No refund will be given.

Any student who exits for health reasons from the university before the semester waiver deadline for a covered injury or sickness may opt to remain covered in the university-sponsored Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan for the remainder of that semester only by notifying the Student Health Insurance Office at 212.229.1671 option 3. Please note that no consideration will be given to students exiting for reasons other than health.