Student Health Insurance

< Back to 'Health & Wellness'

Rice's official website for the Rice Student Health Insurance Plan is

http://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu

In January of 2009, Aetna, our insurance provider, settled a lawsuit that alleged underpaying of student health claims. Students covered under Rice's health plan were included in this lawsuit. If you believe you were unfairly underpaid, contact Mary Aycock (marya@), in the Rice Counseling Center.

This plan is open to all Rice students, graduate and undergraduate, and their dependents, but the vast majority of subscribers are graduate students. Full-time doctoral students receive a subsidy for personal coverage, as well as smaller subsidies for coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and children.

New and Returning students can find the application for the Rice Student Health Insurance Plan at http://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu.

There are also plans managed by NAGPS (National Association of Graduate and Professional Students), carried by United Healthcare. They offer low and high coverage options. Both are cheaper than the unsubsidized Rice plan, but more expensive if you receive a subsidy. To see the plan click here, choose 'Find my school's plan' and type in NAGPS as the school/association name.

Overview

Besides the mandatory health service fee, Rice also requires that all students carry some form of health insurance. Proof of coverage must be presented along with the fee payment for fall semester, either by paying for the group policy available through the university or by submitting a waiver form indicating that you have obtained insurance elsewhere. Despite the best efforts of the GSA, the Student Health Plan offered by the university is likely inferior to (and, before subsidies, more expensive than) any coverage you may be receiving from a spouse or parent. Many students chooe to stay on those plans as long as possible. If you are unsure what to do, you should compare your current plan's coverage with that offered by Rice.

Each year, the University Student Health Insurance Committee, including GSA representatives, designs a health insurance plan specifically for Rice students. The purpose of this plan is to provide students with an option that provides basic coverage while maintaining a plan affordable in terms of a student budget. For the last few years, the committee has chosen a plan offered by Aetna Student Health.

The total premium cost for this plan is $1732 per year for students. Doctoral students are generally provided a subsidy to reduce this cost to $500. You can see more premium and subsidy information here.

Aetna

Aetna Student Health, formerly The Chickering Group, specializes in health insurance plans for students. You can find their website dedicated to Rice's student plan here. You should also register for Aetna Navigator, which allows you to access your personal claims information. Their more general website, www.aetnastudenthealth.com, provides general information on Aetna, special services it provides, its discount programs, and tips on health and healthcare. Aetna has a fairly large network of 'Preferred Providers' - hospitals, doctors, clinics, etc, that have negotiated contracts with Aetna. You may choose to obtain services from other, 'Non-preferred' providers, but Aetna will pay less of the costs.

Description of Coverage

  • Aggregate Plan Maximum: $500,000
  • Annual Deductible: $250-Preferred / $750–Non-preferred
  • Out Of Pocket Expense: $3,000 for Preferred Care
  • Coinsurance: 80% - Preferred / 50% - Non-preferred
  • Prescription Drug Benefit:
    • $100 deductible
    • After deductible, copay of $25 for Brand / $15 for Generic
  • 'Vital Savings' on Dental included with plan
    • Optional 'Advantage Dental' for extra fees

Tips and Warnings

Make sure specialists recommended to you are part of the Aetna network before receiving care.

Notify Aetna before receiving non-emergency care and make certain that your procedures will be covered.

If you are injuried while performing work or travel for Rice, you may be covered by workers compensation or one of Rice's insurance policies, including travel insurance.

I Need Help!

If you feel like Aetna is hassling you or you are not receiving the service and benefits you deserve, contact Mary Aycock, marya@rice.edu. She is Rice's liaison with Aetna and can help advocate for your needs.

Comments

Please share your comments. Some comments may periodically be cleared and integrated into this page's main content.