INSURANCE PLANS
Georgia State University’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and is administered by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. Our plan is in compliance with all current reform requirements mandated by the Affordable Care Act and meets the requirements of the individual mandate that individuals must have health insurance. The health plan selected by the University System of Georgia is the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus plan.
Who is Required to Enroll in SHIP?
- All graduate students who are enrolled in full-time credit hours and awarded full tuition waivers as part of their graduate assistantship award.
- All undergraduate, graduate, and ESL international students holding F1 and J1 visas.
- Degree programs that require proof of health insurance, undergraduate and graduate (Nursing)
- All International Scholars
These required students are automatically enrolled and charged for the plan on their student account with the option to waive the plan by providing proof of comparable coverage. Students mentioned in this group, we call “Mandatory Students”. Mandatory Students are REQUIRED to either ACTIVATE INSURANCE to use it OR COMPLETE an ONLINE WAIVER APPLICATION if they have their own insurance that meets our minimum requirements for coverage.
In this section, you will find pertinent information about our insurance plan benefits, finding doctors and pharmacies, enrolling, and waiving out of SHIP.
Benefit Plans and Important Dates:
- 2024-2025 SHIP Rates & Waiver Dates
- Domestic Plan Summary
- Domestic Plan Certificate
- International Plan Summary
- International Plan Certificate
Activate Health Insurance – Fall Waiver Deadline August 30, 2024
(Students who are automatically charged on their student account for the mandatory student health insurance are required to activate their insurance prior to using it. This must be done prior to the health insurance waiver deadline.)
Access UHC Mobile-Friendly Website
Additional Resources:
- Find a Doctor – (Select UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Plan)
- Pharmacy Locator
- Glossary of Insurance Terms
- What are Deductibles, Coinsurance, and Copays? (video tutorial)
- What is an EOB? (video tutorial)
- How to Create My Account (video tutorial)
- Teladoc Health - With Teladoc Health, you can easily connect with a doctor or therapist through phone or video consultations.
The GRA Healthcare Plan Option is a medical plan offered by the University System of Georgia to Graduate Research Assistants in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Affordable Care Act requires that employers offer coverage to all full-time employees, as defined under the law. Even though USG considers all Graduate Students as part-time employees, due to the challenges in tracking time for Graduate Research Assistants, it was decided that an offer of coverage would be made to Graduate Students with a research component to their job responsibilities.
Graduate Research Assistants also have the option to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) underwritten by United Healthcare of GA or in other coverage available to them through a parent, spouse, or through the Market Place Exchange. For more information about the health insurance options available to Graduate Research Assistants please visit: https://hr.gsu.edu/service-centers/benefits/student-health-insurance-options/.
Please carefully consider all of the options available to you before enrolling in coverage.
ENROLLMENT
To enroll in the GRA Healthcare Option log into the OneUSG Connect – Benefits Website through the USG Faculty & Staff Portal using your GSU Campus ID and Password. On the USG Faculty & Staff Portal, Under MANAGE MY BENEFITS:
- Click on Single Sign-On
- Enter your Campus ID and Password
If you need assistance with activating your Campus ID or password changes, please go to http://technology.gsu.edu/technology-services/it-services/accounts/ or contact the Technology Service Desk at [email protected].
If you need assistance with completing your enrollment online, contact the OneUSG Connect – Benefits Call Center toll-free at 1-844-587-4236. Call Center Representatives can also help you understand your benefits and eligibility, connect you with benefits providers, and update your coverage as a result of a life event.
WHEN COVERAGE ENDS
Coverage through the GRA Healthcare Option will continue through the calendar year unless you become ineligible for coverage (i.e. you graduate or move into another position) or experience a qualifying event. GRA plan coverage continues until the last day of the month in which your GRA position ends and at that time you will be offered the option to enroll in COBRA coverage.
The GRA Healthcare Option does not meet the Federal Guidelines for international students holding F-1 or J-1 visas. Students holding these visas are not eligible to enroll in the GRA Healthcare Plan. The annual enrollment period for the GRA Healthcare Option is held in January of each year.
PLAN INFORMATION
Please see the Summary of Plan Benefits for the GRA Healthcare Plan Option and a Comparison of the GRA plan to the Student Healthcare Insurance plan for more information about the GRA Healthcare Plan Option.
For general questions regarding the GRA Healthcare Option please call the Benefits Office at (404)413-3330.
What do I need to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace?
College Students have several choices for health coverage:
A student health plan
If you’re covered by your school’s student health plan, in most cases, you’re considered covered under the Affordable Care Act. You won’t have to pay the fee that people without coverage must generally pay. Check with your student health plan to see if it qualifies as coverage under the health care law.
A Marketplace health plan
You can choose to buy a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Most people qualify for financial help to lower premium costs. Visit HealthCare.gov to apply and find out if you can get lower costs for health coverage.
Coverage on a parent’s plan
You may be able to stay on or get added to your parent’s health plan until you turn 26.
Catastrophic health plans
If you’re under 30, you can buy a catastrophic health plan to protect yourself from the high costs of an accident or serious illness. These plans usually have lower monthly premiums, but high deductibles. You pay for most of your care yourself, up to a certain amount. After that, the insurance company pays its share for covered services.
Medicaid coverage
Medicaid is a combined state and federal program that provides coverage to people with limited income. When you apply for coverage at HealthCare.gov, you’ll find out if you qualify for coverage through Medicaid.
What if I don’t have health coverage?
If you can afford health insurance, but you don’t have it, you may have to pay a fee with your income tax return. There’s no special student exemption. However, you won’t have to pay the fee if you have a limited income and you don’t have to file a federal tax return.
For more information, visit HealthCare.gov, or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.
4 Ways to Get Marketplace Coverage
1. Online: Visit Healthcare.gov to apply and enroll on the web.
2. Over the phone: Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. A customer service representative can help you apply and enroll over the phone.
3. In-person help: Get help from people in your community trained and certified to help you apply and enroll in the Marketplace. Visit Localhelp.healthcare.gov, or call the Marketplace Call Center.
4. Paper application: If you don’t have a computer or time to apply and enroll over the phone, you can fill out a paper application. Call the Marketplace Call Center to get an application or download a copy from HealthCare.gov.
Who is Eligible to Enroll in Dental?
- All students enrolled in nine (9) or more credit hours per term, or
- All students participating in a Cooperative Education Program and enrolled in a degree-seeking program; or
- All graduate and professional students enrolled in at least nine (9) graduate-level credit hours and enrolled in a degree-seeking program; and
- All eligible dependents of students enrolled in Dental. Eligible dependents are the student’s legal spouse and/or dependent children under 26 years of age.
| Dental Plan | Annual Premium |
| Student Only | $239.77 |
| Student + Spouse | $479.54 |
| Student + Child(ren) | $587.88 |
| Student + Family | $877.88 |
When Can I Enroll in the Plan?
Students can enroll in the plan during the fall open enrollment period.
ENROLL ONLINE: Click here.
(Type "Georgia State University" in the search box and select "Georgia State University". Scroll down the page and select one of the two dental plans available.)
Complete and sign the form and mail it along with your check or money order to the address indicated on the enrollment form. Please make a copy of your completed enrollment form for your records prior to mailing. Enrollment forms received after the deadline will not be processed.
For additional questions regarding dental coverage, please contact Customer Service at (877) 844-4999, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET.
Who is Eligible to Enroll in Vision?
- All students enrolled in nine (9) or more credit hours per term, or
- All students participating in a Cooperative Education Program and enrolled in a degree-seeking program; or
- All graduate and professional students enrolled in at least nine (9) graduate-level credit hours and enrolled in a degree-seeking program; and
- All eligible dependents of students enrolled in Vision. Eligible dependents are the student’s legal spouse and/or dependent children under 26 years of age.
| Vision Plan | Annual Premium |
| Student Only | $140.03 |
| Student + Spouse | $266.06 |
| Student + Child(ren) | $312.03 |
| Student + Family | $438.85 |
When Can I Enroll in the Plan?
Students can enroll in the plan during the fall open enrollment period.
ENROLL ONLINE: Click here.
(Select Georgia State University, go to the top right-hand corner of the page, and select the Enroll Now link to enroll online.)
Find a Vision Provider
(Automated Vision Benefit Service: (800) 839-3242)
UnitedHealthcare Vision Member User Guide
To Print the ID Card, refer to page 8 in the UnitedHealthcare Vision Member User Guide for instructions.
For additional questions regarding vision coverage, please contact Customer Service at (800) 638-3120.
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Got Questions?
The Student Financial Management Center and the Offices of Student Accounts and Financial Aid are available to assist you despite the office physical closure. View Panther Answer to contact us.
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Student Financial Management Center is using Virtual Advising Appointments to assist students with questions regarding financial aid and student accounts. Please click below to schedule an appointment.