First Year Student Messages
from Rutgers University Health Services
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Insurance
1. Do I have to pay to use the student health center(s) or pay for student health insurance?
If you are a full-time student, the Health Service and Basic Insurance fee has been paid with your tuition as part of your full-time student fees. This includes full use of the health centers and BASIC health insurance. Part-time and University College students are not automatically covered, but are eligible to purchase the coverage for a small fee. The fee for the 99/00 school year is $93.23 per semester.
2. If my parents already have health insurance that covers me, do I still have to buy the student health insurance? Can the student policy be waived?
The fee for the student health service and insurance is part of student fees paid for with your tuition. This is a mandatory fee for all full-time students, and cannot be waived. If you have other coverage, that policy is used as the primary insurance, and the student health insurance becomes secondary, covering some of the deductibles and uncovered expenses after the primary insurance pays. Remember that your student health fee includes health education, alcohol/other drug counseling and other important health promotion services.
3. I have asthma. Can I get inhalers at the health centers? What about other prescriptions?
Yes, inhalers are available at Hurtado Health Centers, which supports pharmacy services at all student health centers with prescription and over-the-counter items. Bring an original prescription with you. For more information, contact the pharmacies, http://health.rutgers.edu/pharmacy/.
4. If I belong to an HMO, will my insurance cover my cost if you refer me to an outside specialist? Should I use my HMO before following your referral?
HMOs usually require pre-approval or certification before they will pay for specialty services. If your primary physician will give this approval after consulting with an RUHS physician, then the specialist would be covered. If your primary physician will not, best to be seen by your primary physician at the HMO and then be referred.
5. Can I get an annual gyn exam and Pap smear at the health center?
Yes, routine yearly pelvic exams and Pap smears are done by appointment at all the health centers. Call for an appointment at the health center of your choice.
6. Are the spouse and dependents of students covered under the student policy?
Not automatically. Once a student is covered under the basic plan, s/he may purchase the spouse and dependent coverage for an additional fee (which for 99/00 is $580 and $245 respectively for a years coverage (less just for the fall or spring/summer). Applications are available at Hurtado Health Center, 11 Bishop Place, Room 207, New Brunswick, or at any Student Health Center. Spouse and dependent coverage is essentially inpatient hospitalization coverage, but spouses are able to use the health centers. Dependent children are not able to utilize the health centers at the present time.
7. Can I purchase any additional insurance besides the Basic plan for myself? For my family?
Yes. There is an optional major medical plan available for all students covered under the basic insurance. Currently, the additional yearly premium is $257, for a maximum of $50,000 in coverage, and $337 for a $100,000 maximum. Major medical coverage is also available for spouse and dependents. The Basic Insurance must be purchased to be eligible, and the student must have major medical to purchase it for the family.
8. Does the insurance cover all medical expenses in full?
The benefits of the policy are limited. It does not cover 100% of all medical expenses. Also, there are different benefits for sickness and accidents. Please see the student health brochure for more details or call the Student Insurance Office at 732-932-8285.
9. Will the insurance pay for a yearly physical or eye exam?
The policy is an accident and sickness coverage plan.Yearly physicals or well-care are not covered (except GYN exams) as part of the present policy. Also, there is no coverage provided for eye exams or glasses.
10. Does the insurance pay for surgical removal of wisdom teeth?
Under the sickness portion of the policy, there is no coverage for dental, including wisdom teeth. There is, however, coverage for an injury to a sound, natural tooth under the accident portion. The maximum benefit per injured tooth is $250.(X-Rays are required from the dentist when filing a claim.)
11. When I am ill (flu or cold for example), where should I go for treatment?
Students should seek treatment first at a Student Health Center. If you need ever need emergency hospital treatment, partial coverage is provided for treatment at any hospital only it is a true medical emergency. At the present time, up to $250 for any emergency room charges may be covered check with the student health insurance office for details.
12. What if my parents have insurance for me? Who do I make a claim with first?
The student policy is an excess policy. You would file a claim with the school policy only after all other insurance you have is used.
3. If I am hospitalized for an illness, how much does the student policy pay for?
The policy pays $300 a day room-and-board when you are an inpatient, and $1,000 maximum for miscellaneous expenses; i.e. tests, medications, operating room, recovery room, etc., up to $5,000. The hospital will call us to verify coverage.Once you receive a bill, contact the insurance office to obtain a claim form to submit the bill for payment.
14.Does the accident portion of the policy cover all the expenses in full?
The policy provides payment for usual and customary charges for services and supplies. Sometimes this is full coverage, but on occasion, there may be a balance outstanding.
15. Does the policy cover pregnancy costs?
Pregnancy coverage is in effect provided you were covered by the basic insurance at the time of conception, part of the cost for pre-natal care and delivery, hospitalization, and testing will be covered up to the policy limits. Major medical also pays on maternity claims, provided conception occurred after the insureds effective date. For additional and detailed information, call the Student Insurance Office.
Student Health Insurance Office
227 Hurtado Health Center
11 Bishop Place (College Avenue Campus, near the quads)
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1180
Hours: 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m., Mon. Fri.
(732) 932-8285