Mandatory Graduate Health Plan

The enrollment/waiver period for spring/summer 2010 is November 16, 2009 - February 5, 2010. For coverage January 1 - July 31, 2010.

Students who are required to have health insurance will be enrolled each semester in the Mandatory Graduate Plan, which is an accident and sickness insurance policy that includes diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, or medical conditions. Benefits include physician, hospital, surgical, pharmacy, behavioral health services (i.e., mental health / substance abuse), as well as legally mandated benefits.

UGA has purchased an insurance "rider" in order to lower the out-of-pocket maximum to $2,500 (from $10,000). This action was taken after student groups expressed deep concern over the increase instituted in August 2009. This rider will add a total of $86 to your premium for the spring/summer semester period.

• If you were covered by student health insurance during fall semester 2009 AND will be covered during the spring/summer 2010 period, the lower out-of-pocket maximum will apply to your eligible expenses dating back to August 1, 2009.
• If you were covered ONLY during fall semester 2009 (not the upcoming spring/summer semester period), the lower out-of-pocket maximum does not apply to you.
• If you will be covered ONLY during spring/summer semester 2010, the lower out-of-pocket maximum will apply to you from January 1 through July 31, 2010.

A few changes to the mandatory graduate plan (effective August 2009) include:

• Increased benefit of up to $1,000,000 with "AIG Assist," designed for individuals who travel 100 miles or more from home or in a foreign country that is not their country of permanent residence. AIG Assist provides emergency medical transport service, evacuation, and other medical assistance.
• Increase in out-of-pocket maximum from $2,500 to $10,000 (see above in red)
• Dependent benefit lowered to $50,000 per year

View mandatory graduate plan highlights for academic year 2009-2010.

What if I already have insurance coverage? Read the waiver option.

• If you are required to participate in the mandatory plan, you should set up your account to receive your insurance card(s). Visit the Pearce & Pearce Web site to register. Select "Enrollment," "Mandatory Registration," and "Graduate." If you do not set up your account with Pearce & Pearce, you will experience a significant delay in receiving your health ID card.

OR

• If you wish to waive coverage in the mandatory graduate health plan, visit the Pearce & Pearce Web site to submit a waiver request. Select "Waive online" from the left menu choices. From this section, you can view Pearce & Pearce's list of pre-approved plans. Even if your insurance plan is listed as pre-approved, you must still submit a waiver request! If you do not successfully waive coverage, you will be automatically enrolled and charged for the premium amount (see below).

Mandatory graduate plan premiums
Some students are eligible for the UGA contribution. Please read below to determine if you are eligible. If you are not eligible, you must pay the total premium.

	Student contribution	UGA contribution	Total premium
Fall semester 2009	$260.00	$172.00	$432.00
Spring/summer semesters 2010 (with additional rider)	$394.20	$262.80	$657.00

How and when will my premiums be deducted?

For an additional premium, students may purchase health insurance coverage for their spouses and children. More information regarding dependent coverage is available on the Pearce & Pearce Web site. The University contribution does not apply toward the purchase of insurance for spouses or children. The contribution applies only when the student purchases the mandatory plan through Pearce & Pearce, Inc. and does not apply to any other health insurance policy.

UGA premium contribution

The university will provide a contribution toward the premium for the following students to help offset the cost of the statewide mandated policy through Pearce & Pearce, Inc.:

• Graduate assistants: Those students who hold any type of graduate assistantship of at least 1/3 time for at least 60 days. This includes general graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, laboratory assistantships, and research assistantships, regardless of the source of funds; as well as graduate school assistantships and Graduate Recruitment Opportunity (GRO) assistantships.
• Fellowship recipients: Graduate students supported by fellowships administered by UGA that provide funding for the student in an amount equal to or greater than the prevailing in-state tuition rate for graduate students. Such fellowships include, but are not limited to, UGA Presidential Graduate fellowships, National Research Service Awards, National Science Foundation fellowships, and other state and federally funded fellowships.
• Departmental training grants: Graduate students supported on state or federally funded training grants administered by UGA that provide funding for the student in an amount equal to or greater than the prevailing in-state tuition rate for graduate students.

NOTE: The terminology "administered by UGA" in the Fellowship Recipients and Departmental Training Grants sections means that external funds are channeled through UGA accounting systems and that the student must receive a payroll check from UGA. If the Fellowship or Departmental Training Grant Recipient receives a payroll or stipend check from any source other than UGA Payroll, then that student is NOT eligible for the University Contribution.

UGA Human Resources is the primary contact for graduate students in the mandatory categories. Graduate students who have questions about their mandatory status, payroll deductions, or student account charges should contact HR at the following email address: gshiplan@uga.edu. Questions about policy benefits and limitations should be directed to Pearce & Pearce customer service at 1-888-622-6001.

Revised November 9, 2009