International Health Insurance

Please click here for key words and definitions used in this policy.

How do I enroll in the insurance if I am an F1/J1 student?
If you are F1 and/or J1 student, you are automatically enrolled in the insurance. This is done every semester. If you want to add a dependent, please see “How do I add my dependents to my insurance policy?”

How do I add my dependents to my insurance policy?
Dependents are eligible for coverage under the Plan as long as it is within 30 days of the eligibility/renewal date of the student or scholar,

How long is my insurance valid? 
We are required to insure all international students for the duration of their studies at A-State. To We are required to insure all international students for the duration of their studies at A-State.

What happens if I don’t pay for my insurance?
You are not able to register for classes without paying for insurance and could put your immigration record in jeopardy. Students must have insurance to enroll.

How much does insurance cost?
Prior to registration, your insurance charges must be paid. Insurance is based on 6 months enrollment. Your student account will be charged each semester. Prior to registration, your insurance charges must be paid. Insurance is based on 6 months enrollment. Your student account will be charged each semester. The cost will vary each premium period.

Why does it seem that my premium is high?
Insurance is run by private insurance companies and not the government.  Insurance companies hire underwriters who evaluate/measure data from the previous year’s claims to determine the amount the individual must pay so that the insurance will always have enough money to pay their portion of the charge to the doctor’s office.  This in turn keeps your premium to a minimum.  However, keep in mind that medical cost in the U.S. can get very expensive.

Dates (time-frames) to know:
Below is the timeline that insurance holds appear on your account.  To participate in early registration, you will need to prepay the insurance to get the hold removed.  After making your payment you will need to contact Leah Lewert-Taylor at llewerttaylor@astate.edu to get the hold removed. 

• During week of orientation - you will pay the premium.
• During first two weeks of the semester - you are enrolled in the insurance plan and will be notified that your card is ready for you to print. This continues to occur during the first two weeks of every semester.
• 5 weeks in to the semester - you will receive an email that will list the amount that needs to be prepaid for future terms.  This amount must be paid prior to registering for future semesters.  This continues to occur during the first two weeks of every semester.

How do I pay for my insurance? 
All insurance charges will appear on your Self-Service student account before Priority Registration begins. You may pay it online. You must pay before you will be eligible to enroll in courses.

Do I need to pay if I go to a doctor? 
Students need to pay a deductible and copay when visiting a clinic, doctor, or hospital. For more information call customer services number on the insurance card. For details call 888-622-6001

When you seek any medical care, the provider you choose – the NYIT Medical Clinic, urgent care clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office – will look to you and to your insurance carrier to get paid for their services.  You will always pay a portion of the doctor’s visit each time you go to a medical facility.  This is referred to as cost-sharing.  To understand more about how to choose a provider and how to read an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) we offer insurance workshops to assist you in your search. 

What do I pay if I go to the NYIT Medical Clinic? 
The NYIT Medical Clinic offers their services at a discounted rate and they do not take insurance of any kind. They may ask you for your insurance information to keep in your medical records. Each student is responsible to pay for any treatment or visits to the NYIT Medical Clinic. All charges will be applied to your student account. Here is a link to their site: https://www.astate.edu/a/student-health-center/

I got my insurance card.  How can I learn more?
 Refer to the chart below for a list of frequently used out-patient benefits or call customer service at: 877-657-5030.

I received a document called an EOB.  What is it and what do I do with the document?
An EOB is an Explanation of Benefits sent to you by the insurance company. This document will give you detailed information from the insurance company about how your insurance worked for you.  It will also show you what you owe the doctor and will be the amount listed under ‘Patient’s Responsibility’ so this is the document you should use to pay by.   

I received a bill from the doctor.  What should I do with it?
Compare the EOB that will be found under the ‘Claims' tab in your personal insurance account to the bill you received in the mail from your doctor’s office.  Check for accuracy by making sure that each itemized line on your bill also appears on your EOB.  Do not pay the doctor using the doctor bill.  Pay the doctor based on the EOB.  The amount you owe will be found under ‘Patient Responsibility’

How do premiums deductibles, copays and coinsurance work?

A premium is the amount you prepay the university to be a part of Wellfleet’s group plan.  The university mails your premium to Wellfleet and confirms you are a student attending A-State who is eligible to receive discounted charges when going to the doctor. 

A deductible is the amount you pay per policy year before the insurance begins to work for you. (The policy year begins August 17^th of each year and ends on August 16^th of the following year.) A deductible must be met each policy year.

A copay is a fixed amount you pay at the doctor’s office each visit.  This amount is typically paid before you see the doctor. This amount does not accumulate to meet the deductible.

Coinsurance is the portion you co-share with the insurance company.  This is the cost you pay to the doctor’s office after you have met your deductible.  Typically this amount is billed to you which means you will learn the amount that is your responsibility by viewing what you owe on the Explanation of Benefits (EOB).  This amount will be listed under ‘’Patient’s Responsibility”. 

How long do I have to file a claim with the insurance company?
Call Customer Service: 877-657-5030

What do I do if I get a bill? Or the doctor says I owe them money?
Call Customer Service: 877-657-5030 right away.

• Click on Cigna PPO Choice Fund
• Click the blue button on the top of the page.
• Question - "How are you covered?", then click school.
• Choose a doctor by type located on the top of the page.
• This brings up approximately 231 Doctors for Primary Care Provider (PCP).  Now narrow the distance to 10 miles which will narrow it down to 223 Doctors.
• Call a doctor’s office of your choice to find out if they are accepting new patients.