Doctor of Pharmacy students required to have health insurance

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

Doctor of Pharmacy students are required to have health insurance (who is required to have health insurance?) and will be enrolled each semester in the mandatory undergraduate 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. Doctor of Pharmacy students are also provided with a bloodborne pathogen and infectious disease exposure benefit. If a covered student experiences an exposure to blood/body fluids/infectious disease during a clinical rotation by any route, this benefit will pay 100% of eligible expenses up to $2,000 per accident. No coinsurance, copays, or deductibles are required to receive this benefit.

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.

View mandatory undergraduate plan highlights for the academic year 2009-2010.

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

• If you are required to participate in the undergraduate 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 "Doctor of Pharmacy." 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 undergraduate 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 through your student account for the premium amount (below).

Doctor of Pharmacy mandatory undergraduate plan premium
Premiums for individual students in the Doctor of Pharmacy mandatory plan are as follows:

Premiums due to Pearce & Pearce for individual/student coverage
Fall semester 2009	$387
Spring/summer semesters 2010 (with additional rider)	$595

Premiums will be charged to your student account by the Bursar's Office at the beginning of the semester.

Students may also purchase health insurance coverage for their spouses and children for an additional premium. Premiums for the spouse and children must be paid by the student to Pearce & Pearce. More information regarding dependent coverage is available on the Pearce & Pearce Web site.

UGA Human Resources is the primary contact for Doctor of Pharmacy students in the mandatory plan. Doctor of Pharmacy students who have questions about their mandatory status or student account health insurance charges should contact HR at the following email address: gshiplan@uga.edu. Questions about policy benefits and limitations should be directed to Pearce & Pearce at 1-888-622-6001.

Revised November 5, 2009