Student Health Insurance Requirement Policy - Policies

Scope

Students

General Policy StatementEffective August 1, 2016, the Syracuse University Health Insurance Requirement Policy mandates that all full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students maintain health care coverage that meets the standards of the University and applicable laws, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). Coverage that meets University standards and is ACA-compliant (“Qualifying Coverage”) is available through the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan.
Reason for Policy/Purpose
1. Syracuse University values the health and wellbeing of all of its students. Unexpected health care expenses can jeopardize a student’s financial stability or create barriers to completing a degree. Although all students can receive primary care through Syracuse University Health Services, there may be times when services such as hospitalization, surgery, or specialty care must be obtained off-campus. Qualifying health coverage provides all full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students with the ability to be prepared for medical situations.
2. The ACA requires U.S. citizens to have health insurance that meets certain standards or pay a penalty. The ACA requires insurance plans to cover pre-existing conditions and many preventive services, as well as essential health benefits such as emergency services, hospitalization, mental health and substance abuse disorders treatment, and more. The University requires international students to carry health insurance that meets the same standards so that they may be prepared for medical situations.
3. To help students meet the obligations of the ACA, the University sponsors a student health insurance plan that offers full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students access to an ACAcompliant plan. The health insurance plan is available for purchase annually.
Policy
1. Student Health Insurance Requirement
  1. Except as otherwise stated herein, Syracuse University requires all full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students,* including international students and SU Abroad students, to maintain health care coverage that meets the standards of the University and applicable laws, including the ACA. During the time such students are registered at the University, they are required to demonstrate proof of Qualifying Coverage, which meets the standards of the University and the ACA.
  2. Students unable to provide proof of Qualifying Coverage prior to the waiver deadline will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Syracuse University Health Insurance Plan for the entire period of registration.
2. Coverage through the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan
  1. Full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students will be enrolled in the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan unless they are able to demonstrate that they have Qualifying Coverage, as determined by the University and the University’s insurance account manager.
  2. All full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students who lack Qualifying Coverage, as determined by the University and the University’s insurance account manager, will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan. Such students will be financially responsible for payment of all Plan-related bills.
3. Waiving Coverage
  1. Full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students who have Qualifying Coverage, as determined by the University’s insurance account manager, are not required to purchase the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan and may waive such coverage.
  2. Information on what qualifies as Qualifying Coverage can be found here: http://healthinsurance.syr.edu/.
4. Exceptions to the Student Health Insurance Requirement
  1. Part-time students are exempt from the Student Health Insurance Requirement, and are not eligible to enroll in the Syracuse University Health Insurance Plan.
  2. Students exclusively matriculated in Syracuse University online degree programs are exempt from the Student Health Insurance Requirement, and are not eligible to enroll in the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan.
Appendices (as applicable)
1. Procedures
  1. Enrollment in the Syracuse University Health Insurance Plan
    - Students who are required to demonstrate proof of Qualifying Coverage may enroll in the Syracuse University Health Insurance Plan on MySlice.
    - More information on the Plan and enrollment can be found at http://healthinsurance.syr.edu/.
  2. Waiving coverage
    - In order to waive coverage under the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan, full-time, matriculated students must submit proof of Qualifying Coverage by the published waiver deadline on MySlice.
    - Students can provide proof of Qualifying Coverage through MySlice.
    - Full-time, matriculated undergraduate, graduate and law students, including international students and SU Abroad students who do not submit proof of Qualifying Coverage by the applicable waiver deadline will be automatically enrolled in and billed through their Bursar’s account for the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan. These students will be financially responsible for all such bills.
2. Definitions
  - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): The ACA is a federal law that requires all U.S. citizens have health insurance that meets a certain standard of care, or pay a tax penalty for going without insurance.
  - Qualifying Coverage: Qualifying Coverage is coverage from a U.S. – based insurer that meets the minimum standards as defined by the ACA and the University, and provides emergency and non-emergency coverage in Syracuse area, as determined by the University’s insurance account manager. Qualifying Coverage entitles students who are required to have health insurance as set forth herein to waive coverage under the Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan. Information on what qualifies as Qualifying Coverage can be found here: http://healthinsurance.syr.edu/.
  - Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan: The Syracuse University Student Health Insurance Plan is the health insurance plan offered by Syracuse University through a health insurance carrier that meets the standards of Qualifying Coverage.
  - For detailed information about the health insurance benefits, please review the Plan Design and Benefits Summary located here: http://healthinsurance.syr.edu/student-health-insurance-plan/.
3. Forms
  - Online waiver/proof of insurance form can be found here: http://healthinsurance.syr.edu/student-health-insurance-plan/waiving-the-ship/.
4. Useful Links
  - Syracuse University Health Services
5. Frequently Asked Questions http://healthinsurance.syr.edu/resources/frequently-asked-questions/

Created: April 2016