Student Insurance FAQ

STUDENT INSURANCE WEB PAGE
(Health, Dental and Vision Plan Information and Forms)

Student Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will the student health plan begin?
2. I'm an incoming student, is it possible for me to start health insurance prior to my enrollment?
3. Is health insurance mandatory?
4. Who is required to carry insurance?
5. Will the health insurance plan cover me when I am out of state?
6. When can I enroll in the University's group health plan?
7. When can I enroll in the University's dental and/or vision plan?
8. How do I waive my insurance?
9. Do I have to submit a waiver every year?
10. How will the University enforce that all current students have health insurance?
11. What is catastrophic coverage?
12. What should I consider before enrolling in a catastrophic coverage only health plan?
13. Why did I get charged for a "health insurance fee" on my fee statement? I didn't ask for health insurance.
14. The waiver form I submitted is no longer valid; can I join the University's group plan?
15. How do I change dependent coverage elections?
16. I am going to take a leave of absence; can I continue my insurance through the University?
17. Is dental or vision coverage included in the health plan?
18. When will my insurance end?
19. How do I cancel my insurance?
20. Can I continue my health insurance if I have separated from the University?

1. When will the student health plan begin?
The student health plan will begin the first day of your first quarter (term) as an on-campus students.

2. I'm an incoming student. Is it possible for me to start health insurance prior to my enrollment?
No. In order to join Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science group plan, you must be enrolled with the University.

3. Is health insurance mandatory?
The University requires that students be enrolled in a plan that provides for catastrophic coverage. RFUMS offers a choice of group health insurance plans. It is, however, up to each student to choose his or her own plan.

4. Who is required to carry insurance?
The requirement applies to all students enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours on campus.

5. Will the health insurance plan cover me when I am out of state?
Yes, the University offers two PPO health insurance plans that provide out of state coverage subject to the out of network benefit levels. For a listing of providers, visit MultiPlan.com, and select the PHCS Network.

6. When can I enroll in the University's group health plan?
For current students, open enrollment occurs from June 1st to June 30th. During that period you can make changes to your coverage (adding/dropping dependents or changing plans). Changes made during open enrollment will become effective July 1st. 

Incoming students must submit their enrollment forms or waiver forms by the tenth (10) business day after the start of their first quarter enrolled at the University. If your enrollment form or waiver form is not received, you will automatically be enrolled in the University's default plan (Plan B). Return completed forms to Student Financial Services Student Billing. 

Current students may enroll outside the June 1st - 30th open enrollment period if they experience a qualified status change such as:
      • Marriage, Divorce, Birth, Adoption, Death
      • Involuntary loss of coverage from another health insurance plan 
      • Dependent reaching the age 26 limit of another health insurance plan

In addition to submitting a completed enrollment form, the student must obtain a Certificate of Prior Coverage from the previous insurance company.  The enrollment form AND the Certificate must be received by Student Billing within 31 days of the last day of coverage in order to be accepted by the Insurance company.  Enrollment will be retroactive to the date the previous insurance was terminated.   You will be billed for the mid-term insurance premium charges. 

7. When can I enroll in the University's dental and/or vision plan?
For current students, open enrollment occurs from June 1st to June 30th for dental and vision coverage. During that period you can make changes to your coverage. Changes made during open enrollment will become effective July 1st. Incoming students must submit their enrollment forms by the tenth (10) business day after the start of their first quarter enrolled at the University. Return completed forms to Student Financial Services Student Billing.

Qualified status changes are also accepted for dental insurance (see #6 above).

8. How do I waive my insurance?
Submit a completed Health Insurance Waiver Form with a copy of your insurance card to Student Financial Services Student Billing by the deadline.

9. Do I have to submit a waiver every year?
Waived forms, once filed, will cover all future years of continuous enrollment.

10. How will the University enforce that all current students have health insurance?
Periodic, random audits will be conducted to ensure that students who choose to waive the University's plan are providing full and accurate information about their alternative health insurance coverage. Students without adequate health insurance will be contacted. For active students, a hold will be placed on the student's account until proof of insurance is provided.  Providing deliberately deceptive information on the waiver form could result in denial of enrollment to incoming students.

 11. What is catastrophic coverage?
The University requires that students who do not enroll in the University's group plan be enrolled in a plan that provides for catastrophic coverage. Coverage must:
      • Provide a maximum deductible of $15,000.
      • Provide a minimum of $100,000 in lifetime benefits.

12. What should I consider before enrolling in a catastrophic coverage only health plan?
      • How much is the premium per month, quarter, and year? 
      • How much is the deductible?
      • How much of a deductible can you afford?
      • Do you have dependents that need coverage?
        If so, can you afford to pay the deductible required for each dependent before insurance will begin covering?
      • How extensive do you want your coverage to be?
      • Do you need prescription medications?
      • Can you afford to pay for your own doctor's office visits? 
      • Do you have any pre-existing conditions?
      • Do you get sick often?
      • What is the lifetime annual benefit?
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13. Why did I get charged for a "health insurance fee" on my fee statement? I didn't ask for health insurance.
As approved by the University's Administration, it is an enrollment policy that all students must be covered by medical health insurance. If your Enrollment Form or Waiver Form is not received by the tenth (10) business day of your first quarter enrolled at the University you will automatically be enrolled in the University's default plan (Plan B). Four months (one academic term) of student insurance premiums are charged on your quarterly Tuition and Fee bill (statement). TOP

14. The waiver form I submitted is no longer valid; can I join the University's group plan?
To enroll in the University's plan in the middle of the academic year, the student must complete an enrollment form and return it to Student Financial Services Student Billing within thirty-one (31) days of the qualifying event along with a Certificate of Prior Coverage from the previous insurance company (see #6 above).  Qualifying events are as follows:
      • Marriage, Divorce, Birth, Adoption, Death 
      • Involuntary loss of coverage from another health insurance plan
      • Dependent reaching the age 26 limit of another health insurance plan TOP

15. How do I change dependent coverage elections?
To change dependent coverage in the middle of the academic year, the the student must complete an enrollment form and return it to Student Financial Services Student Billing within thirty-one (31) days of the qualifying event along with a Certificate of Prior Coverage from the previous insurance company (see #6 above).  Qualifying events are as follows: 
      • Marriage, Divorce, Birth, Adoption, Death 
      • Involuntary loss of coverage from another health insurance plan
      • Dependent reaching the age 26 limit of another health insurance plan

16. I am going to take a leave of absence; can I continue my insurance through the University?
Yes, as long as payments are made in advance.

17. Is dental or vision coverage included in the health plan?
Dental and vision coverage are not included as part of the student health plans. You may purchase dental or vision insurance separately through The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America for an additional fee. Information and enrollment forms are available on the Student Insurance web page, or in the Student Financial Services office.
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18. When will my insurance end?
Insurance will only be cancelled for the following reasons: separation from the University, non-payment, or voluntary cancellation with proof of other coverage.*
*Voluntary cancellation of Dental Coverage can be done from June 1st thru June 30th each year after 1 year of coverage. Voluntary cancellation of Vision Coverage can be done from June 1st thru June 30th after 2 years of coverage. Proof of other coverage is not needed for dental and vision.

19. How do I cancel my insurance?
You may cancel your health insurance within 10 days of the start of a new quarter, if you submit a completed cancellation form and provide proof that you have comparable replacement health insurance coverage.  Cancellation of dental or vision insurance can only be done during open enrollment in June.  The cancellation forms are available on the Student Insurance web page.

20. Can I continue my health insurance if I have separated from the University?
No. You may search for a provider on the internet or utilize other insurance referrals. Or, as a courtesy, the following independent insurance broker is provided who can assist you in obtaining your needed health insurance:  

Howard Nusbaum
Tel: 847-681-2456
Fax: 847-681-2403
hnusbaum@mesirowfinancial.com

(Please allow 30 days to process your application.)