2009/2010 Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (Duke SMIP) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the medical insurance requirement for Duke students?
What insurance plan is available for Duke students?
As a student, what do I need to do regarding health insurance?
What is the coverage period?
Am I eligible for the Duke Plan?
What is the cost of coverage for 2009-2010?
What rules apply to international students holding a J-1 or F-1 visa?
What information will I need to waive coverage under the Duke SMIP?
What is the deadline for entering an insurance waiver for 2009/2010?
When will I receive my insurance enrollment card?
Is coverage available for my spouse and/or children?
I am arriving at Duke for school related activities prior to the start of the 2009/2010 Duke Plan Year (starts January 1, 2010). Am I able to secure early coverage?
Is allergy testing covered?
I have more questions about insurance. What resources are available?
What is the medical insurance requirement for Duke students?
Duke University requires that students enrolled in programs that require payment of the health fee must have adequate medical insurance. Adequate means that the benefits must be similar to those offered by the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP). Learn more about Duke benefits here.
What insurance plan is available for Duke students?
Eligible students who do not have adequate private medical insurance must enroll in the Duke SMIP. The Duke SMIP is administered by UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (UHCSR). A schedule of benefits is available at http://healthydevil.studentaffairs.duke.edu/insurance.
As a student, what do I need to do regarding health insurance?
If you have private insurance and do not wish to participate in the Duke SMIP, please go to http://www.uhcsr.com/duke/ and complete the waiver request.
If you are eligible for the Duke SMIP (see above) and want to enroll go to www.uhcsr.com/duke to enroll. If you enroll by the middle of July you will receive your insurance card prior to the beginning of coverage, August 1, 2009. The deadline for completing waiver is September 15, 2009.
What is the coverage period?
The annual coverage period is August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010 for students new to the Duke SMIP. Students entering Duke or returning from leave in January 2010 can enroll effective January 1, 2010.
Am I eligible to participate in the Duke Plan?
You are eligible to participate if you are enrolled in a program that requires payment of the health fee. Students enrolled in programs that do not require payment of the health fee are ineligible to participate in the Duke SMIP.
What is the cost of coverage for 2009-2010?
The cost of coverage is based upon your age and will be posted to your student account by the Bursar's Office. If your age as of August 1, 2009 is
- Under 26, the annual charge is $1,658/yr.
- 26 to 34, the annual charge is $1,795/yr.
- 35 to 44, the annual charge is $2,078/yr.
- 45 or over, the annual charge is $2,463/yr.
- Spouse, the annual charge is $2,875/yr.
- Child(ren), the annual charge is $1,634/yr.
- Family, the annual charge is $4,291/yr.
What rules apply to international students holding a J-1 or F-1 visa?
If you are enrolled in a program that requires payment of the health fee and you are an international student holding a J-1 or F-1 visa, participation in the Duke SMIP is mandatory - you will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the Duke SMIP, however, you will not receive your insurance card until the end of September. If you are going to enroll dependents, you do need to enroll yourself first at www.uhcsr.com/duke.
What information will I need to waive coverage under the Duke SMIP?
You will need your insurance company name, policy / group number, insurance company contact information, as well as detailed information regarding your plan benefits, deductible amount and coverage area. You will also be asked to provide the policy holder’s name, address, date of birth and telephone number.
What is the deadline for entering an insurance waiver for 2009/2010?
The deadline for entering an insurance waiver is January 30, 2010. A charge for insurance will appear on your bursar account in mid-November 2009, and will remain on your account unless you waive coverage on or before January 30, 2010.
After the waiver period ends, visit the Duke page at http://www.uhcsr.com/ for instructions on how to make changes. If an early withdrawal from the Duke SMIP is granted, your insurance charge will be pro-rated to reflect a premium charge for coverage through the month that you withdraw from the plan.
When will I receive my insurance enrollment card?
If you enroll prior to the middle of December, you will receive your card by January 1, 2010. Please be sure your mailing address is up to date both on ACES and on the UHCSR website. For enrollment after January 1, cards are mailed within 48 - 72 hours after you complete the enrollment process.
You may print a card from your account online at http://www.uhcsr.com/ beginning in August 2009.
Follow the directions for "Creating an Account" found in the upper left hand corner at: https://www.uhcsr.com/SelfServiceSupport/Students/myaccount/TieAccountIdentify.aspx
Is coverage available for my spouse and/or children?
Coverage for dependents is available in addition to the student premium. Check back for specific rates.
Enrollment in and payment for dependent coverage plans is handled directly with UHCSR. To enroll, visit www.uhcsr.com/duke and complete the on-line enrollment form. The annual plan period runs from August 2009 through July 31, 2010. Spouses and newborns may be added later.
If you need to add a new infant or spouse who joins you here in the United States, please use this form:
2009-2010 Mail-In Enrollment Form - Dependent Enrollment Form
If you would like to enroll after the enrollment period because you've aged off your parents' insurance or lost coverage for another reason, follow the link below:
2009- 2010 Mail-In Enrollment Form - Late Qualification Documents
We encourage you to complete the enrollment process prior to the start of the plan year so that you have your insurance card, prior to the start of your coverage. New enrollments will not be accepted after September 30th without a qualifying event. (Contact UHCSR for a list of qualifying events).
I am arriving at Duke for school related activities prior to the start of the 2009/2010 Duke Plan Year (starts January 1, 2010). Am I able to secure early coverage?
If you plan to arrive at Duke for school related activities prior to the January 1, 2010 plan start date and need to secure early insurance coverage (for individual and/or dependent plans), you may be eligible to enroll in the current 2009/2010 Duke SMIP.
Is allergy testing covered?
Yes, it is covered the same as any other service.
I have more questions about insurance. What resources are available?
Anna Salinas
Insurance Manager
Student Health
(919)684-1481
(919)681-2874 (Fax)
anna.salinas@duke.edu
http://healthydevil.studentaffairs.duke.edu
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
1-866-548-8472
http://www.uhcsr.com