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Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP)

2010–2011 Academic Year

• General Information
• Exchange and English Language Center Students
• Effective Dates and Cost
• Midyear Adjustment
• Waiver Deadlines
• Enrolling in NUSHP after waiving
• General NUSHP benefit information (This link is for 2009-2010 benefit information. Benefit information for 2010-2011 will be posted shortly. Enhancements for 2010-2011 include services through Fenway Community Health Center at a discounted co-pay.)
• Dental Savings Program

General Information

Since September 1989, Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.15A, § 18) has required every full-time and part-time student enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree granting program in a Massachusetts institution of higher learning to participate in a Student Health Program or in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. The Student Health Program defines a part-time student as a student enrolled in at least 75% of the full-time curriculum. (CPS Undergraduate Students 12 credits, CPS Graduate 7 credits, Part time Engineering 12 credits, Part-time Graduate students 6 credits). CPS students enrolled in online classes are not automatically enrolled contact the Office of Student Accounts for details. studentaccounts@neu.edu.

Massachusetts law has been revised to include the following important clarifications:

1. A health plan that provides coverage through a closed network of providers (for example, coverage by an HMO) and which is accessible only for emergency services where the student is studying is not comparable coverage. Students may not waive the NUSHP based on such a plan.
2. Students studying in the United States may not waive insurance based on coverage through insurance carriers owned and operated outside the United States, nor with coverage through foreign National Health Service programs. Students sponsored by foreign embassies, agencies and organizations are no longer excluded from the requirement for U.S.-based health insurance.
3. Students with Commonwealth Care plans cannot waive out of NUSHP. Students who are subject to Student Health Program requirements are not eligible for Commonwealth Care. Students may obtain health insurance through their parents’ health insurance offered by their employer or enroll in a Commonwealth Choice plan.

The burden of proof that the alternative insurance is adequate falls upon the student choosing to waive. By submitting the waiver form the student will be accepting responsibility for all medical expenses incurred, and neither Northeastern University nor its student health plan will be responsible for these expenses. Each academic year, eligible students may waive NUSHP via myNEU once they have been billed for NUSHP. In addition, to be eligible to waive, comparable coverage must be effective from the beginning of the term the student meets Student Health Program requirements.

Exchange, English Language Center and CPS Doctor of Education Students

Students that do not meet the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requirements outlined above are not eligible to enroll in NUSHP unless they are enrolled in an exchange, English Language Center or CPS Doctor of Education program. Students in these programs may elect to enroll in NUSHP by completing the Petition to Enroll Form. The deadline to request enrollment is by the waiver deadline of the term the student begins their program or loses their coverage due to a qualifying event. Enrollment will be for the full academic year and will be billed accordingly. If a student elects to enroll in the fall term and completes the program in December they may request a midyear adjustment to have NUSHP end January 31st. Students electing to enroll in any other term will be billed the costs associated with that term and NUSHP will end August 31.

Effective Dates and Cost

NUSHP plans are effective the term that a student meets the minimum qualifications outlined by the State of Massachusetts. Students with a comparable domestic insurance plan are given the opportunity to waive NUSHP the term they meet the qualifications—see Waiver Deadlines. Eligible students need to waive each academic year. Also, see Petitioning to Enroll regarding enrolling in NUSHP after waiving and/or enrolling spouse/dependent(s). Spouse and/or child(ren) rates are in addition to the student rate.

Once enrolled in the plan it is for the full policy period indicated below. After the waiver deadline, the premium is not adjusted if a student decides to pick up another policy.

Exception (Midyear Adjustment): Students that finished their degree requirements in December and officially graduate in January may request a midyear adjustment in January. Request will not be reviewed until degrees are conferred in January. The deadline to submit this request is January 31, 2011. If requested the health plan would terminate effective January 31, 2011 and a prorated credit would be posted to their account.

Monthly Rates (restricted)
The following rates apply to the specific eligible populations required to be on campus prior to the start of their program’s standard academic year. Those who are eligible for the early arrival rate must complete the Petition to Enroll form.

Note: UHCS Fee
*Graduate, CPS, and PTE students will also be charged the Health Center fee. See table below. If a student waives the Health Plan, the Health Plan fee and Health Center fee will be reversed, and the student will not have access to services at the University Health and Counseling Center (UHCS). Students can request access to the UHCS only by completing the UHCS Access Request Form. Visit the UHCS Web site for additional information on services provided at the center.

Waiver Deadlines

Eligible students may waive NUSHP via myNEU once they have been billed for NUSHP. Print a copy of the confirmation page and deduct the Health Plan Fee and if applicable the UHCS Fee amount from your balance due.

Northeastern University reserves the right to verify that the student's insurance meets the criteria indicated. Disciplinary action maybe taken if a student knowingly waives NUSHP without comparable coverage.

Enrolling in NUSHP after Waiving

Spouse/Dependents
Students enrolled in NUSHP may choose to purchase the same plan for their spouse and/or unmarried dependent children until age 19. To enroll, students will need to complete the Petition to Enroll Form and submit it to Student Accounts office with proper documentation, i.e., marriage license and/or birth certificate. Plan is effective from the date of the open enrollment period or date of qualifed event and will terminate at the end of the academic year. See Effective Dates and Cost. This coverage is not proratable and cannot be waived once enrolled.

Qualified Late Enrollment
Qualified Event: Loss of job, aged off existing health plan, change of job

Students (and/or their spouse/dependents) who, due to a qualifying event, need to enroll in NUSHP after they have waived may do so by completing the Petition to Enroll Form. Completed forms with supporting documentation from provider are submitted to the Student Accounts office. These forms must be submitted within thirty days from the date the existing coverage ends. If submission is beyond the thirty day period, it would be considered an unqualified late enrollment.

Unqualified Late Enrollment
Unqualified Events: More than 30 days has passed since existing coverage has ended, current coverage is not adequate, changing plans due to coop or study abroad or personal choice to change plans.

Students who, due to an unqualified event, wish to enroll in NUSHP after they have waived may do so by completing the Petition to Enroll Form. Coverage under NUSHP will be limited to emergency care only for 6 months. Disciplinary action may be taken if a student knowingly waives NUSHP without comparable coverage.

Dental Savings Program

If you are enrolled in NUSHP you can save money on detal care by using the Dental Savings Program through BASIX. This is not insurance, this program provides dental care at reduced rates from contracted dental providers. Visit www.basixstudent.com for details.

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