Frequently Asked Insurance Questions

• What type of insurance plan is available to UofL students?
• How much does the insurance plan cost?
• Can I cover my spouse and children?
• When can I purchase the plan?
• What doctors can I see?
• Do I need a referral?
• What happens if I am sick and need to be hospitalized or go to the emergency room?
• Does the insurance policy cover me when I am
  away from school?
• Can I be seen by Health Services if I have other insurance?
• Am I required to have major medical insurance?
• Does the university-sponsored plan cover me outside the United States?
• Can I get a refund for my graduate assistant insurance premium provided by the university?
• Will I get an insurance card?
• I've been charged a "health fee." What's that?
• I'm enrolled in the university-sponsored plan.  Now what?

What type of insurance plan is available to UofL students?

The University of Louisville sponsored insurance plan from the Academic Health Plans provides our students with an affordable student health insurance plan tailored to the particular needs of our students.

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How much does the insurance plan cost?

 *Spring premium includes coverage for summer

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Can I cover my spouse and children?

Yes. Please see the rate chart above for information regarding the pricing. Other lower cost alternatives may be available. Please contact the Insurance Advocate for more information at 852-6519.

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When can I purchase the plan?

Students may purchase the plan during the open enrollment periods with the exception of certain qualifying events described below. By limiting the enrollment to these "open" periods we were able to eliminate the pre-existing condition requirement. You may qualify to enroll at other times if you have a qualifying event such as a birth of a child, death of a spouse, loss of insurance through your spouse or job. Please contact the student insurance advocate for more information regarding this type of enrollment.

Open Enrollment:    Fall Semester                 8/1/12    -     9/15/12

                                    Spring Semester          12/1/12   -     2/15/13

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What doctors can I see?

With the University sponsored plan you must use the Health Service for your routine health care. Specialty care is provided through the United Healthcare (UHC) provider network and requires a referral from the health service.

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Do I need a referral?

For care received outside the Health Center you are required to have a referral. If you have an after hours emergency you may use any immediate (urgent) care center or emergency room without a referral.  These services are subject to your annual deductible and other copayments may be required. 

You should contact the Health Service as soon as possible to obtain a referral on the business day. Obtaining a referral is not a guarantee of payment but notifies the insurance plan of a pending claim. Final determination of benefits is determined by the insurance company.

No referral is required for maternity care.

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What happens if I am sick and need to be hospitalized or go to the emergency room?

You may use any of the local hospitals in the Louisville area and most hospitals nationwide.  However, UofL Hospital provides deeper discounts for services. 

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Does the insurance policy cover me when I am away from school?

Yes. If you are more than 50 miles away from campus you will not need a referral as long as it is in the United Healthcare (UHC) network. See the Academic Health Plans Web site for information on how to locate a  UHC provider.

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Can I be seen by Health Services if I have other insurance?

Absolutely. We bill most major insurance companies.

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Am I required to have major medical insurance?

Only the HSC students enrolled in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing (except lower division) and international students are required to have health insurance.

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Does the university-sponsored plan cover me outside the United States?

Yes. Worldwide coverage and travel assistance is available including air ambulance transfer back to the United States if medically necessary.  Please contact Academic Health Plans at (888) 308-7320 for more information

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Can I get a refund for my graduate assistant insurance premium provided by the University?

No, This is a benefit to graduate assistants paid by the university and can not be refunded to student.

Will I get an insurance card?

Yes. Insurance cards will be mailed approximately 4 weeks after the start of the semester.

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I've been charged a “health fee.” What's that?

The health fee is designed for students enrolled in the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Allied Health, as well as graduate students enrolled in programs located on the Health Sciences Center (HSC) campus. It is designed specifically to meet the special needs of students in the healthcare professions. Spouses and dependents are not eligible for this plan. The fee is mandatory for all students involved in clinical activity. Coverage includes:

• Routine office visits for health maintenance, Pap smears and physicals (lab or x-rays are paid by patient or patient insurance), blood pressure checks
• Urgent medical office visits for acute illnesses
• Annual surveillance TB skin testing and influenza immunizations once matriculated
• Post-exposure evaluation, and testing for exposures to blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C including prophylactic medications when prescribed by the health service
• Post-exposure evaluation and testing for Tuberculosis
• Low cost generic medications dispensed out of the health office at $5 or $10 per prescription
• Discounted pharmaceuticals through the UofL Hospital Outpatient Patient Benefits Program*

*May not cover all drugs needed in your care

• Confidential access to a counselor based on the HSC Campus
• Confidential psychiatric consultation

This plan does not provide hospitalization or coverage for tests and services beyond that described. Students without major medical coverage from another source should purchase the university-sponsored insurance plan in order to be fully covered for any illness beyond the scope of this plan. The health fee is not an insurance plan and does not meet requirements for health insurance.

Criteria for health fee:

• All medical and dental students
• All upper division nursing students
• All graduate nursing students with clinical activity
• All speech pathology and audiology students
• All dental hygiene students

Excluded Groups:

• Graduate students in the HSC enrolled in master‘s or PHD programs in departments of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, visual sciences, microbiology, pharmacology, IPIBS, CREST program, etc. These students are enrolled in programs offered THROUGH the school of medicine but are not MEDICAL students.
• All lower division nursing students

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I'm enrolled in the university-sponsored plan.  Now what?

• Before You Visit a Provider— Understand the specific procedure to follow when seeking medical treatment under your Student Health Insurance Plan. You are required to use the Campus Health Services Offices as your primary physician for non-emergency care. Referrals are required to see specialists or to use emergency room.
• All customer service inquiries, including provider network questions, should be directed to Academic Health Plans by calling (888) 308-7320

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