I'm a Parent/Guardian
Fundamental to your student's ability to maximize their learning while in college is the need to maintain good health and have access to medical care.
While this is a time of intense personal growth, it is also a time of intense pressure for your student brought on by the rigors of a collegiate curriculum combined with an active social life. The unusual and wide-ranging schedules that students maintain during their collegiate experience can wreak havoc on their health.
While the campus health and counseling centers serve as a vital, first source of primary physical and mental care, your student may have an after-hours medical emergency or experience the need for specialized care that exceeds the resources of the campus facilities.
If your student is currently covered as a dependent on your health insurance plan you need to confirm the following:
Will my policy cover routine care for my student while in the school's local area?
Many health insurance plans (especially HMO's) will not cover routine care or non-emergency services outside of your home area. Be sure that your student is covered for any necessary follow-up care and that there are participating providers in the school's local area. SSIG plans fill this gap by offering a plan with a network of participating providers in the school's local area.My student is very healthy. Do I need to worry about health insurance coverage?
Generally, the student population is among the healthiest, however, most schools require students to have health insurance. Although you may have a student in good health, changes in their physical environment could create new health conditions such as allergies. The pressure of a collegiate curriculum or just being away from home may generate concerns best addressed by a mental health professional. Even emergencies covered by your health insurance plan could require follow-up care or rehabilitative therapy. To avoid traveling or discontinuing education to receive treatment at home, it's best to have a plan that provides coverage for both emergency and routine or follow-up care in the school's local area. SSIG plans satisfy this concern at a modest price.Copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, networks, primary pay plans...how am I supposed to understand all of these terms well enough to make an informed decision about health insurance?
It's best to contact a representative of your health insurance plan. Ask questions until you are comfortable and knowledgeable about how your plan works. While SSIG plans vary among schools, our plans typically pay as "primary" insurance coverage, utilizing modest copays that cover your student while at school, at home, or while studying abroad.Does my policy cover my student for any accidents incurred during the practice or play of intercollegiate sports?
While your student's school provides insurance coverage for such accidents, many of the school's sports policies have deductibles or dollar amounts that need to be satisfied before any benefits are available. These school policies provide "excess coverage" and require that claims for medical expenses be submitted first to a student's primary insurance plan. Be sure to ask if there is a deductible. Also, inquire about the dollar amount of the school's sports policy deductible. The SSIG plans often cover the full amount of the school's sports policy deductible.What if my student elects to travel or study abroad?
If your health insurance plan provides coverage for international travel or study abroad your student may only be covered in the event of an emergency. Many study abroad programs require coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of a student back to their home country. Our plans cover your student for repatriation and medical evacuation as well as provide coverage for both emergency and routine care while studying abroad.Always encourage your student to:
- Become knowledgeable about their health insurance coverage
- Always carry their health insurance card
- Become familiar with what participating providers are available in their school's local area
What if my student needs care and the campus health center is closed?
If your student has a medical emergency they should dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.If he or she isn't sure whether it is a medical emergency or not, SSIG insured students can call 866.912.6292 and speak with one of the registered nurses of Nurse Response. This is a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week service that the SSIG has partnered with to provide medical advice to our insured students.
Who do we contact for claims or coverage questions?
If your student has coverage through SSIG they should contact Administrative Concepts, Inc. at 800.293.9229 or www.visit-aci.com.