- Campuses :
- Twin Cities
- Crookston
- Duluth
- Morris
- Rochester
- Other Locations
The Office of Student Health Benefits offers the Graduate Assistant Health Plan to eligible graduate assistants, fellows, and trainees at the University of Minnesota.
As of September 1, 2009, HealthPartners will be providing the plan network and claims administration services for the Graduate Assistant Health Plan on both the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. HealthPartners, in alliance with CIGNA, gives students access to 650,000 healthcare providers and 6,500 hospitals across the United States.
Plan members can now view their claims online through the HealthPartners website! http://www.healthpartners.com/uofmga
Students currently enrolled in the Graduate Assistant Health Plan will receive a fall 2009 Enrollment Packet in the U.S. mail or from your department on or before August 1, 2009. If you have not received your packet by August 15, 2009, please contact our office.
All eligible graduate assistants, trainees, and fellows who wish to take advantage of the Graduate Assistant Health Plan fall semester 2009 must complete the enrollment process by September 18, 2009, or within 14 days of their appointment start date, whichever is later.
After losing eligibility for the Graduate Assistant Health Plan (for example, your assistantship drops below 25%, you leave your appointment, or your appointment, fellowship, or traineeship ends), plan members have the option to continue coverage for up to 18 months at their own expense. To request continuation, please complete and return the Continuation of Coverage Form to the Office of Student Health Benefits within 60 days of loss of coverage.
Before the start of each semester the Office of Student Health Benefits contacts administrators who facilitate employment of graduate assistants to request the following:
Students meeting certain conditions are eligible to participate in the Plan. You must be properly registered for the number of credits required for your job class or appointment.
To enroll in the Graduate Assistant Health Plan, please complete Step 1 and Step 2 below by September 18, 2009 or within 14 days of your appointment start date. Coverage will begin September 1, 2009 for those who meet the enrollment deadline, or from the starting date of a qualifying appointment. Coverage for those who miss the deadline will begin on the date forms are processed by the Office of Student Health Benefits.
Step 1. Complete and Submit Enrollment Forms
To enroll in the University Health Plan for Graduate Assistants, please complete and return the following materials to the Office of Student Health Benefits within 14 days of your appointment or by September 18, 2009.
Student Enrollment
All students who wish to enroll in the plan must complete and return:
Dependent Enrollment
All students who wish to enroll dependents in the plan must also complete and return:
Once an applicant’s eligibility is verified by the Office of Student Health Benefits, enrollment will be processed. Plan members will see a charge for the plan on their University bill once at the beginning of each semester. Member ID cards will be sent to the plan member by U.S. mail approximately four weeks after the start of the first semester of enrollment. Cards will be mailed to the mailing address indicated on OneStop.
Step 2. Update OneStop
Make sure your U.S. mail address is up-to-date:
Enter your new health plan information:
– Name of Health Insurance Plan: Graduate Assistant Health Plan
– Health Plan Telephone Number: (612) 624-0627
– Member ID Number: (your student ID number)
Dependents can only be enrolled at the same time the graduate assistant is enrolling; within 31 days of involuntary loss of other coverage; within 31 days of marriage, birth or adoption; or during the open enrollment period. The open enrollment period is August 1 to September 18. Failure to enroll a new born child within 31 days of birth will result in non-payment of the child's medical expenses from the moment of birth onward. Newborns are not automatically covered under the mother's insurance. Once you choose a dependent Plan 1 or Plan 2, you cannot change the plan until the next open enrollment period.
Once an applicant’s eligibility is verified by the Office of Student Health Benefits, enrollment will be processed. Plan members will see a charge for the plan on their University bill once at the beginning of each semester. Member ID cards will be sent to the plan member by U.S. mail. Cards will be mailed to the mailing address indicated on One Stop. For instructions on how to update your address in One Stop, see Step 2 under Eligibility and Enrollment. If you need health care before receiving the card, your health care provider may contact the Office of Student Health Benefits to verify your enrollment and eligibility.
Please notify the Office of Student Health Benefits of any change in contact information, change in dependents, or cancelation of coverage by completing and submitting a Change or Cancellation Form (PDF). Mailings will be sent to the U.S. Mail address indicated in One Stop. For instructions on how to update your address in One Stop, see Step 2 under Eligibility and Enrollment.
Wondering how much you will be billed for summer 2009 coverage? Find out using the Summer Premium Calculator.
Students enrolled in the Graduate Assistant Health Plan for spring semester will automatically remain enrolled for summer unless you fill out a Change or Cancellation Form (PDF).
Deadline to submit the form May 31.
Students with Graduate Assistantships will receive a University contribution toward summer coverage based on the semesters during the academic year in which you held a qualifying graduate assistantship.
Graduate students covered by Graduate Fellowships or department fellowships will be responsible for the entire summer premium, unless the department of the school in which you are enrolled offers to pay for your coverage. Students who do not receive a full contribution for summer coverage will be billed for the balance on their Student Account Receivable.
If you are unsure about your eligibility or percentage of appointment time, please contact the department of the school in which you are enrolled.
If you are traveling or visiting family outside of Minnesota and need non-emergency medical care, you may present your HealthPartners card to any provider.
You will have a deductible to meet before benefits are paid; once the deductible has been satisfied, the plan will pay 80% and you will pay 20% of any eligible charges.
If the provider participates in its local HealthPartners plan network, you do not have to file your own claim and, more importantly, the provider has agreed to accept the local HealthPartners plan allowed amount and any payment will be paid directly to the provider. This means you are not responsible for the difference between the provider’s billed charges and the amount that is considered reasonable for the service in the state where you received care.
If the provider does not participate with the local HealthPartners plan, you will need to file your own claim and make payment to the provider, as any payment will be sent directly to you. Additionally, you will be responsible for the difference between what the provider bills and the allowed amount for the services provided.
Plan members and their dependents traveling 100 or more miles away from home and outside of their home country, have emergency medical, travel, and personal security assistance 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world, through MEDEX, a leading provider of international travel assistance services. From finding an English-speaking doctor to replacing a prescription, MEDEX has the resources and experience to offer rapid coordination and monitoring of medical care while you are abroad.
Medical Services Available
- 24-hour worldwide medical referrals
- Medical evacuations and repatriation of mortal remains
- Verification of insurance coverage to facilitate hospital admission
Personal and Travel Services Available
- Assistance with lost or stolen travel documents (i.e. passport)
- Emergency language interpretation services
- Emergency cash advance
MEDEX Website
Username: umgahbo
Password: umstudent
MEDEX ID Card (267K, PDF)
MEDEX Assistance 1-800-527-0218
After losing eligibility for the Graduate Assistant Health Plan (for example, your assistantship drops below 25%, you leave your appointment, or your appointment, fellowship, or traineeship ends), plan members have the option to continue coverage for up to 18 months at their own expense. To request continuation, please complete and return the following form to the Office of Student Health Benefits within 60 days of loss of coverage. You must enclose method of payment for the first two months of coverage with the Continuation of Coverage Form.
Continuation of Coverage Form (PDF)
Primary Member Cost (Premium): $307.20 per month. Dependent coverage may also be continued on the same terms as previously enrolled, but the insured will pay the full cost of dependent coverage. Continuation dependent rates will be as follows. (Total cost to the member will be cost of selected dependent plan PLUS cost of Primary Member Coverage. Family Coverage is defined as a spouse and one or more children.)
Dependent Plan 1 |
|
|---|---|
Spouse ONLY* |
$ 547.20 per month |
Single Child ONLY |
$ 354.70 per month |
Two or More Children ONLY |
$ 635.80 per month |
Family Coverage |
$ 941.00 per month |
Dependent Plan 2 |
Cost |
|---|---|
Spouse ONLY* |
$ 474.30 per month |
Single Child ONLY |
$ 305.20 per month |
Two or More Children ONLY |
$ 545.30 per month |
Family Coverage |
$ 824.40 per month |
* spouse or same-sex domestic partner
Payment is due no later than the 20th of the month proceeding the coverage month (for example, payment is due no later than October 20th for November coverage.) Failure to remit payments by the payment due date will result in interruption or loss of coverage.
The first payment by the student will be for coverage from the date of loss of eligibility through the current month plus one month in advance, and may reflect several months’ coverage if enrollment for continuation coverage has been delayed. Payments are made directly to the University of Minnesota and sent to the Office of Student Health Benefits.
Boynton
Health Service Dental Clinic provides dental care for students
on the Graduate Assistant HealthPlan. Please identify
yourself as a Graduate Assistant Health Benefit Plan member and have
your student ID number ready when making appointments for yourself
or your dependents to assure that you receive appropriate discounts
on services.
As of September 2008, plan members have an added benefit of $1,000
in restorative dental services. The plan will pay 80% on basic
restorative services and 50% on major restorative services up to
$1,000. This benefit is in addition to the diagnostic and preventive
services already covered.
As a member of the Graduate Assistant Plan, you will receive the following preventive
services at Boynton Health Service Dental Clinic at no out-of-pocket
cost:
- One dental exam at six and twelve month intervals
- One routine adult teeth cleaning at six and twelve month intervals
- Four bitewing radiographs one additional radiograph per year
- One panorex once every five years if needed, only at the time of
the dental exam
Dependents covered by the plan will receive preventive and other
covered restorative dental services at a discount of 20-30% below
the regular fee schedule when treatment is paid for at the time of
service. The discount does not apply to patients who already have
other dental insurance coverage. Your dependents can be treated even
if you have not enrolled them in the plan. They should
always use your student ID number when making appointments to assure
them of their discounts.
Emergency care is available to alleviate pain and/or discomfort.
During normal clinic hours call Boynton's Dental Clinic (612) 624-9998.
After normal clinic hours, during evenings and weekends calling this
same number will provide contact information for emergency care.
If you choose to have preventative dental work performed outside of
Boynton's Dental Clinic, a one-time credit (per academic year) of up
to $150.00 will be refunded to you by check. To request for this
reimbursement, fill out the Dental Reimbursement Form and follow the
instructions on the form on how to submit. You must provide, within
45 days of the appointment, a copy of your bill, clearly indicating
your name and the treatment received from the provider. Example: You
have your teeth cleaned at Dr. Smith’s office, you receive and pay a
bill for $150.00 for your hygiene appointment (restorative
procedures do not receive credit). When you provide us with a copy
of your bill, we will refund you with a check for $150.00. Electing
this reimbursement option means that you may not receive free
preventive treatment during the plan year.
Restorative and preventive services for your dependents will be
charged at the completion of treatment. Payment is expected at the
time of service. If payment is not made at the time of service, your
student account will be debited the appropriate amounts.
Please note that the Graduate Assistant Health Plan adheres
to the Boynton Health Service Dental Clinic Failure/Late Arrival policy for dental appointments.
For more information about dental services and coverage, please
contact Mary Kiffe: (612) 625-7943, mkiffe@bhs.umn.edu
07/08/09 Email to GAs, Trainees, and Fellows
07/08/09 Email to GAs on Continuation
08/21/09 Email to GAs on Continuation
08/21/09 Email to GAs, Trainees, and Fellows
08/26/09 Email to GAs, Trainees, and Fellows
08/26/09 Email to GAs on Continuation
Eligibility Questions
Office of Student Health Benefits
University of Minnesota
410 Church Street S.E., N323
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-0627 or 1-800-232-9017
Fax: (612) 626-5183 or 1-800-624-9881
Email: umgahbo@umn.edu
Coverage Questions
HealthPartners
Phone: 952-883-7500 or 866-270-5434
http://www.healthpartners.com/uofmga
Dental Questions
Boynton Health Service Dental Clinic
Phone: (612) 624-9998
Email: mkiffe@bhs.umn.edu
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/dentalclinic.htm
On-Campus Health Care Questions
Boynton Health Service
Appointments: (612) 625-3222
http://www.bhs.umn.edu
Emergency Travel Assistance Questions
MEDEX
Phone: 1-800-527-0218
Email: info@medexassist.com
https://members.medexassist.com
Username: umgahbo, Password: umstudent
2009-2010 GAHP Welcome Brochure
2009-2010 Summary of Benefits: Plan 1
2009-2010 Summary of Benefits: Plan 2
Term |
Dates |
|---|---|
Fall 2009 |
9/1/2009 - 1/31/2010 |
Spring 2010 |
2/1/2010 - 5/31/2010 |
Summer 2010 |
6/1/2010 - 8/31/2010 |
Your coverage date starts when your appointment starts.
Primary Member Cost (Premium): $274.70 per month. $88.50 will be charged to your account at the beginning of each semester (monthly cost $14.75). The remaining $259.95 monthly balance is paid as follows.
Graduate Assistants (not fellows, trainees, or post-doctoral fellows): The University share (of the $259.95 balance) is equal to twice your appointment percentage. For example, if you have a 50% appointment, the University will pay the entire $259.95. If you have a 25% appointment, the University will only pay half (that is 50% of $259.95, or $129.98 per month) and you pay the rest, which is billed once at the beginning of the semester to your student account.
Graduate Fellows, Trainees and Post-doctoral Fellows (not Graduate Assistants): You may only enroll in the University Health Plan for Graduate Assistants if your program agrees to pay the remaining premium, which is $305.47.
The University subsidizes dependents on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan at 65 percent of the lower cost plan.
Dependent Plan 1 |
|
|---|---|
Spouse ONLY* |
$ 238.90 per month |
Single Child ONLY |
$ 156.30 per month
|
Two or More Children ONLY |
$ 281.40 per month |
Family Coverage |
$ 405.10 per month |
Dependent Plan 2 |
Cost |
|---|---|
Spouse ONLY* |
$ 166.00 per month |
Single Child ONLY |
$ 106.80 per month |
Two or More Children ONLY |
$ 190.90 per month |
Family Coverage |
$ 288.50 per month |
* spouse or same-sex domestic partner
The Primary Member will have a $10 office visit co-pay. Dependents covered under Dependent Plan 1 will also have a $10 office visit co-pay. Dependents covered under Dependent Plan 2 will have a $25 office visit co-pay and are subject to an annual deductible and coinsurance. See GA Plan 1 Summary or GA Plan 2 Summary for details.
Pharmacy Benefit: Out-of-pocket maximum is $300.00. Co-pays per prescription/refills: $10.00 for generic drugs, $25.00 for brand name formulary drugs, $50.00 for brand name non-formulary drugs. Mail order co-payment for Maintenance Medication only (90 day supply): $20.00 for generic drugs, $50.00 for brand name formulary drugs, $100.00 for brand name non-formulary drugs.
Emergency care in an emergency room (in a hospital or a freestanding facility): $40.00 co-pay for the emergency room visit (GA Plan 1 only).
See Summary of Benefits in Plan Details section for details.