FAQ's | Health Insurance Terms

In fall of 2010 semester, Meredith College began requiring all full-time undergraduate students including international students and Dietetic Interns to have health insurance. (Full-time students are defined as those taking 12 credit hours or more).

This policy is part of the College’s effort to ensure the health and safety of all its students.

Many Meredith students have health insurance, but for those who do not, an injury or illness could be costly and possibly affect a student’s ability to remain in school and progress toward a degree. Meredith feels that all students benefit from having health insurance to help offset costs of an unexpected illness or accident. Conversely, students without health insurance do not have access to needed specialty care or hospitalization and may attempt to continue their academic pursuits but fail to reach their full potential because of their untreated illness.

1. How do I meet this requirement in spring of 2012 to opt or waive out of the plan Meredith offers if I already have health insurance?

All full-time undergraduate students including licensure only students, students studying in a Meredith study abroad program (Sansepolcro) and Dietetic Interns with an existing health insurance policy:

Students who already have health insurance for spring 2012 semester will need to complete the online waiver form to be exempt from the student health insurance Meredith College offers. It is important that you complete this waiver. Students who do not complete this waiver stating that they already are covered by a health insurance policy will be charged for the student health insurance offered by Meredith College. The spring rate is $305 and covers students from January 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012.  

The waiver will be available from November 7, 2011 - January 18, 2012.   If you do not complete the waiver by January 18, 2012, you will be responsible for the $305 charge for insurance on your Meredith student account.  

Click here to complete Waiver.

2. If I do not have health insurance what do I need to do?

All full-time undergraduate students, students studying in Sansepolcro, and Dietetic Interns WITHOUT an existing health insurance policy:

A cost effective sickness and injury option is available through United Healthcare StudentResources for $305 for the benefit period January1, 2012 - July 31, 2012. Students may choose to purchase an insurance plan of their choice and complete the waiver or elect the plan Meredith offers.  Students who do not complete a waiver by January 18, 2012 stating that they already are covered by a health insurance policy will be charged $305 for the student health insurance offered by Meredith College and will automatically be enrolled in the plan.  To view the United Healthcare StudentResources plan for 2011-12, click here. 

3. When will I receive my United Healthcare StudentResources insurance card if I do not opt out of the plan Meredith offers?  

Students who do not opt out of the plan Meredith offers with United Healthcare StudentResources will receive their insurance cards in mid-late January. 

 

4. How do I print a temporary insurance ID card with United Healthcare StudentResources?  

        1.   Create an account.   Click here to visit United Healthcare StudentResources where you can can "Create an Account" with a user ID and password. 

        2.   Re-enter the same website here and "Login to My Account" with your UserID and Password then click "View or Print ID card" to print a

              temporary insurance ID card. 

              This temporary insurance card is for the 2011-2012 year only. 

5.  What if I need to see a medical provider or fill a prescription before my insurance card arrives in the mail?

Follow the same directions for question #4 to print a temporary insurance ID card.

 

All graduate students and part-time students enrolled 2011-2012 academic year who choose to purchase the plan Meredith offers with United Healthcare StudentResources, click here, then select "Enroll On-line Now".

 

UnitedHealthcare StudentResources Policy Highlights

The health insurance plan offered by UnitedHealthcare StudentResources Policy highlights include*:

• $50 deductible per Insured Person per Policy Year for Preferred Providers
•   $100 deductible per Insured Person per Policy Year for Out of Network Providers
• 80% of Preferred Allowance for Preferred Providers
• 60% of Usual and Customary Charges for Out of Network Providers
• Benefits for cervical cancer screening (gynecology visit and lab test) are paid the same as any other sickness
• Influenze vaccine coverage
• Prescriptions must be filled at a UnitedHealthcare Network Pharmacy.  A co-pay will apply as follows:
• $20 for Tier 1 for a 31 day supply
• $35 for Tier 2 for a 31 day supply
• $50 for Tier 3 for a 31 day supply
• $750  Maximum benefit for the Policy Year
• Annual coverage effective from August 1, 2011– July 31, 2012
• Spring/summer coverage effective from January 1, 2012 - July 31, 2012
• Coverage available for dependents
• Pre-existing conditions may be waived if you have had prior coverage before accepting this policy (12 months prior to this plan) or credit for any months prior to this plan.

 

*This policy is not a major medical policy and has a limit of $50,000 maximum benefit for each injury or sickness.

 

Meredith College values the health and welfare of its students. Please contact Carroll Health Center with further questions regarding student health insurance for 2011-12 at (919) 760-8535.

---

Student Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Meredith requiring health insurance?
   
2. How do I meet this requirement?
   
3. Is this new requirement related to the new federal healthcare law?
   
4. I am covered already by health insurance. What do I need to do so I don’t get billed?
   
5. Can I purchase insurance from an outside agency? (Not the plan Meredith provides)
   
6. As a resident student at Meredith College, I pay a health fee each semester. How is health insurance different from that?
   
7. Do I have to verify my insurance each year?
   
8. I worry about identity theft. Why do I have to provide my private information?
   
9. What happens when I graduate before the plan ends?
   
10. Is financial assistance available for the cost of the required health insurance?
    
11. Commonly Used Health Insurance Terms
    

1.  Why is Meredith requiring health insurance?
Many Meredith students have health insurance, but for those who do not, an injury or illness could be costly and possibly affect a student’s ability to remain in school and progress toward a degree. Meredith feels that all students benefit from having health insurance to help offset costs of an unexpected accident or illness. Conversely, students without health insurance do not have access to needed specialty care or hospitalization and may attempt to continue their academic pursuits but fail to reach their full potential due to their untreated illness.

2.  How do I meet this requirement?
Students with an existing insurance policy: Full-time undergraduate students and Dietetic Interns who already have health insurance for the 2011-12 academic year will need to complete an online waiver form to be exempt from the student health insurance that will be provided through Meredith. It is important that you complete this waiver. Students who do not complete a waiver stating that they already are covered by a health insurance policy will be charged for the student health insurance offered by Meredith College. Click here to complete the on-line waiver.

Full-time undergraduate students, students studying in Sansepolcro, and Dietetic Interns without an existing insurance policy: A cost effective option is available through United Healthcare for $515 for the 2011-2012 year (August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012).   Click here to view the plan.  

3.  Is this new requirement related to the new federal healthcare law?
No. This new policy is part of the College’s effort to ensure the health and safety of all its students. Meredith feels that all students benefit from having health insurance to help offset costs of an unexpected illness or accident. Conversely, students without health insurance do not have access to needed specialty care or hospitalization and may attempt to continue their academic pursuits but fail to reach their full potential because of their untreated illness.

4.  I am covered already by health insurance. What do I need to do so I don't get billed?
Full-time undergraduate students including licensure only students and Dietetic Interns who are already covered by an insurance policy (i.e. through parent plans, family plans, or employer-sponsored plans), submit their insurance policy number for verification through a secure website.   You will NOT be charged for the insurance plan offered by Meredith College if you have comparable health insurance and complete the on-line waiver. Click here to complete the on-line waiver.

5.  Do I have to purchase the student health insurance plan from Meredith or can I purchase my insurance from an outside agency?
You do not have to purchase the plan Meredith offers for students, however, the health insurance plan that you purchase must be comparable to what Meredith provides.

^ top

6.  As a resident student at Meredith College, I pay a health fee each semester. How is health insurance different from that?
If you are enrolled as a resident student living in a residence hall, the student health fee is included with room and board charges. The student health fee is not insurance. This fee covers the basic care offered at Carroll Health Center. Some laboratory procedures and special services require additional fees.

Health insurance gives students access to services and specialists not available at Carroll Health Center. Health insurance also may cover a portion of the cost for services not provided at the Student Health Services, such as hospitalization, required surgery or specialty services for illnesses or injuries.
Back to Top

7.  Do I have to verify my insurance each year?
Yes. Students will need to verify their insurance information yearly and if there is any change in their insurance coverage during the academic year.

^ top

8.  I worry about identity theft. Why do I have to provide my private information?
We understand that concern. This is why United Healthcare StudentResources, a subsidiary of United Healthcare helps coordinate the student health insurance waiver plan. United Healthcare will not sell our students' information to anyone, including direct mail marketing vendors. They also use the most stringent, HIPAA-compliant web security currently available. Great care is taken to minimize the potential for security breaches that might lead to fraud or other malicious use of personal information. Meredith also takes steps to protect student information.   Student ID numbers are used to identify students instead of social security numbers.

9.  What happens when I graduate before the plan ends?
When a student graduates, they are no longer eligible to be seen by Carroll Health Center; however students have continued coverage with the Student Health Insurance until the expiration date of their plan. Example: If a student graduates in December and purchased an annual policy, s/he will have coverage through the benefit year which is August 1, 2011- July 31, 2012.

10.  Is financial assistance available for the cost of the required health insurance?

Yes.  For those who qualify, student and parent loans are available.  Students should first apply for financial assistance by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www. fafsa.gov.  After completing the FAFSA, students may contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 919-760-8565 or by e-mail finaid@meredith.edu.

^ top

Commonly Used Health Insurance Terms

Deductible
A deductible is the amount of out-of-pocket expenses the insured person (you) must pay for health services before benefits become payable by the insurance carrier.

Co-Payments
Co-payments are payments made by the insured person (you) toward the cost of a particular benefit. For example, the current student insurance plan requires a $15 co-pay for each 31 day supply of a Tier 1 prescription medication. An emergency room visit has a $50 copay per visit plus 80% of preferred and allowable expenses. The maximum payment allowed if not admitted is $250.

Coinsurance
Coinsurance means the insured person (you) and the insurance carrier share costs according to a specified ratio (e.g. 80%: 20%) of the hospital or medical expenses resulting from a sickness or injury.

Covered Illness/Sickness
A covered illness/sickness is any disease, infection, or condition other than injury that is first treated or diagnosed by a doctor on or after the effective date of coverage under the insurance plan, unless pre-existing condition waivers apply.

Covered Injury
A covered injury is an accidental body injury that causes loss - directly and independently of all other causes - and is sustained on or after the effective date of coverage under the plan, unless pre-existing condition waivers apply.

PPO
PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. These are networks formed from different health care providers and facilities who agree to accept a discounted payment level for charges incurred by patients insured under a plan with that specific PPO. The campus-endorsed plan uses United Healthcare as their PPO because it has the highest number of providers and facilities in their network.

Pre-Existing Condition
A pre-existing condition is an injury, illness, or pregnancy for which medical care or treatment or diagnosis or medical advice was received or recommended or medication was prescribed prior to the effective date of the insured person’s coverage under the insurance plan. United Healthcare's pre-existing condition reads: Except for individuals who have been continuously insured under the school's student insurance policy for at least 12 consecutive months; The pre-existing condition exclusionary period will be reduced by the total number of months that the insured provides documentation of continuous coverage under a prior health insurance policy which provided benefits similar to this policy.

Referral
A referral happens when students require services that cannot be provided in the Meredith College Carroll Health Center. The Carroll Health Center staff arranges the referral with service providers in the student insurance’s PPO network, if possible.

^ top