Health Insurance

Health insurance costs in the United States are very high and it is important that all visitors to the US have adequate health insurance coverage during their stay here. As a result, all F-1 and J visa holders are required to maintain health insurance during their studies at GGU. Please take some time to review the information provided on our website. Taking care of your health is an important part of your academic success, so please do not hesitate to contact the IAA office with questions or concerns relating to health insurance.

Golden Gate University's health insurance carrier is Aetna Student Health. The plan is administered by:

Aetna Student Health
1 Charles Park
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 1-800-232-5196
Website: www.aetnastudenthealth.com
All F-1 and J-1 status students are required by GGU to maintain health insurance coverage. Students must submit proof of health insurance coverage before registering for courses. You may fulfill your health insurance coverage requirement by enrolling in GGU's health insurance plan or by submitting an acceptable Health Insurance Waiver Form. Health Insurance coverage for the 2010-2011 academic year is as follows:

	Insurance for School of Business, Accounting and Tax
Term	Dates of Coverage	Student Premium
Annual I	08/23/2010 to 08/22/2011	$1069
Fall I Term	08/23/2010 to 12/31/2010	$382
Fall II Term (Day MAC & Day TAX)	07/28/2010 to 12/31/2010	$453
Spring Term	1/1/2011 to 04/26/2011	$341
Summer I	04/27/2011 to 08/22/2011	$346

	Insurance for Law School
Term	Dates of Coverage	Student Premium
Annual II	8/1/2010 to 7/31/2011	$1069
Fall II Term	8/1/2010 to 12/31/2010	$442
Spring Term	1/1/2011 to 5/31/2011	$436
Summer I (for continuing students)	5/1/2011 to 7/31/2011	$276
Summer II (for students new to GGU)	6/1/2011 to 7/31/2011	$191
Summer III	8/1/2011 to 8/31/2011	$99

Please note that health insurance fees are subject to change from year to year. Enrolling in GGU's health insurance has been made easier through a new online enrollment form. To enroll please follow the steps below.

1. Visit Aetna Student Health at: Enroll Now
2. Review the Full Plan Details, a tab under "Medical Plan: Enroll". Become familiar with the plan provisions and if possible, refer to it before obtaining health care. While the program provides excellent coverage, there are limitations and exclusions with which you should become familiar.
3. After reviewing the Full Plan Details, select the appropriate plan.
4. Click on "Enroll: Student Health Insurance Plan". You will be asked to provide basic biographical information including: Name, Birth Date, Valid Identification Number (Your GGU student ID number) and Address.
5. Pay for the health insurance. Provide your credit card information, read and then agree to the Payment Disclaimer and hit the "Purchase" button.
6. Print out a temporary insurance card. You will also receive an email confirming your enrollment. Aetna Student Health Insurance will send International Admissions and Advising Services an email informing us of your enrollment.

If you have questions about enrolling online, please call 415-442-7290 or email iss@ggu.edu.

Students who do not have a credit card or who do not wish to enroll online, may submit a paper enrollment form at the IAA office. Students who enroll with a paper form, may submit payment with a credit card, a personal check or money order. F-1 and J status students may purchase GGU's health insurance policy while they participate in optional practical training (OPT) or when they take a vacation term. It is highly recommended that students engaged in optional practical training or on vacation purchase health insurance during the regular registration period in order to keep their coverage continuous. Before You Visit a Provider (doctor, hospital, pharmacy, specialist)

Step 1: Understand the guidelines of your Plan. This may prevent you from paying unexpected out-of-pocket fees.

Step 2: Be sure to present your Health Insurance Card when visiting a Medical Provider.

Step 3: Confirm if the Medical Provider is an In-Network Preferred Provider or a private physician. You can find an In-Network Provider on the Aetna DocFind® web page.

Step 4: If you are being treated by an In-Network Provider, your claim will automatically be submitted to Aetna Student Health by the Medical Provider. If you are being treated by a Non-Network Provider, ask how your claim will be filed with the Medical Provider. The Provider may ask for payment immediately. If the Provider does not file the claim directly with Aetna Student Health, then you must file the claim by submitting an itemized bill immediately after treatment to us. Your name, social security number and school name should be written clearly on all medical bills. Always retain copies for your records. Please go to Aetna Claim Form for copies of claims forms or to search for a provider online.

Step 5: Payment on filed claims for covered expenses will be mailed directly to the hospital or doctor unless proof of payment is submitted with the claim.

Once a claim is processed, an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Statement will be mailed to you explaining the benefit paid to the Provider. The Provider will then send you a statement indicating if a balance is due. Printed brochures explaining the policy's coverage exclusions and limitations are available at International Admissions and Advising Services. You should forward a claim form within 90 days of injury or first date of sickness and include all necessary information, bills, and statements to:

Aetna Student Health
PO Box 981106
El Paso, TX 79998
Phone: 1-800-232-5196

Each time that you receive treatment, you will need to submit a claim form to Aetna Student Health. along with itemized medical and pharmaceutical bills. If you need to obtain a claim form or if you need assistance in completing it, please visit International Admissions and Advising Services on the first floor. You can download a claim form at: Aetna Claim Form web page.

If your forms are not correctly completed, your claim will be delayed. It is important that you complete EACH blank, sign the form, and attach all bills or receipts. Whenever possible, please make copies of all documents you send to Aetna Student Health. This will provide you with back-up documents in case of misunderstandings or loss of documents by doctors, hospitals or claims administrators. If you already have comparable health insurance coverage, you may apply for a waiver of GGU's international health insurance plan. Your health insurance plan must provide the following coverage:

1. The policy has an annual deductible not to exceed $150 per year. Policies with "per incident" deductibles cannot be approved for a health insurance waiver.
2. The policy covers at least $150,000 per injury or sickness.
3. Benefits are payable at least 80% when treated by an in network provider.
4. An out of pocket maximum for most medical conditions of no greater than $1,000.
5. The plan may not contain specific limitations for the treatment of medical conditions relative to standard hospital or outpatient care. Examples include hospital room & board, x-ray & lab, and surgery.
6. The policy must be written in English and the policy coverage must be stated in US dollars.

In order to be considered for a waiver, you will need to submit the following information:

1. The Health Insurance Waiver Form completed by your health insurance provider.
2. The Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Benefit Information (page three of the waiver packet).

Download 2010-2011 Insurance Waiver Request From.pdf
Please bring the completed forms to International Admissions and Advising Services. We will review your waiver at the time you submit it, so that your registration hold can be lifted. International Admissions and Advising Services encourages students to contact our office if they have any questions or problems relating to health insurance including selecting a doctor, policy limitations and coverage, claim forms etc.

You can visit the office or contact us as follows:

Phone: 415-442-7290
Fax: 415-442-7807
E-mail: iss@ggu.edu

Most problems that occur are a result of misunderstanding or miscommunication and generally can be resolved with the assistance of International Admissions and Advising Services. If you have any problems try to exercise patience and please contact us for assistance. As an Exchange Visitor in the United States, under a rule effective September 1, 1994, you must carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your J program. Government regulations stipulate that if, after that date, you willfully fail to carry health insurance for yourself and your dependents, your J-1 sponsor must terminate your program, and report the termination to the United States Department of State in Washington, DC.

Specific J-1 Deductible & Coverage Requirements:

• Deductible limited to $500 (or less) per accident or illness
• Insurance company must pay at least 75% of covered medical expenses
• Insurance must cover injuries resulting from participation in an activity that is a part of your Exchange Visitor Program

Specific J-1 Insurance Policy Requirements:

• The policy must provide "medical benefits of at least $50,000 for each accident or illness," according to the text of the regulation.
• If you should die in the US, the policy must provide at least $7,500 in benefits to send your remains to your home country for burial.
• If, because of a serious illness or injury, you must be sent home on the advice of a doctor, the policy must pay up to $10,000 for the expenses of your travel.
• The policy may establish a waiting period before it covers pre-existing conditions
• The policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your home country government or the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by the Department of State (formerly USIA) (an A.M Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-i" or above, a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above).

Golden Gate University's international student health insurance plan, administered by Aetna Student Health meets or exceeds the J-1 requirements.

Provider	Contact Information
Claims	PO Box 981106 El Paso, TX 79998 1-800-232-5196 (toll free)
Preferred Provider	800-232-5196 (toll free) www.aetnastudenthealth.com/ggu