New Jersey law requires full-time college students to carry medical insurance and all full-time students will be billed for the student insurance plan on their tuition bill. Students who have comparable insurance coverage can waive out of the student plan ONLINE on the Business Office webpages. Matriculated part-time students who wish to voluntarily purchase the student insurance plan will not be billed automatically and must enroll themselves online.
Before you consider waiving the student plan, please compare the following benefits with your alternate insurance.
- No deductibles, no restrictions on providers, no pre-authorizations required.
- Student Basic Plan in effect for full 12 months and pays covered expenses to $100,000 anywhere in US.
- Insurance remains in effect if enrolled student takes a leave of absence, graduates or changes to part-time.
- Enrolled students can purchase a low cost optional catastrophic benefit that will increase coverage to $200,000
We strongly recommend that all undergraduate resident students enroll in the student insurance plan, even if they live in New Jersey. This is because many family plans now only cover “true emergencies” when students are away from home, or will restrict specialist consultation, lab work or x-rays to in-network facilities only. This has inconvenienced students and burdened families who are responsible for arranging these services off-campus. Purchasing the student insurance program assures access to local care; eliminates the hassle of pre-authorization from family insurance companies; and reduces paperwork for the students and staff. Having two plans improves options and reduces the risk of any out-of-pocket expenses.
The annual cost for the student plan is $1000 for undergraduates, $1033 for international undergraduates, $2425 for graduate, theological and CUE students, and $2458 for international graduate, theological and CUE students. Enrolled students can also purchase this plan for their spouse and children. Students who are interested in purchasing coverage for their family or the supplemental plan should enroll online; or can complete the form at the back of the brochure; or can contact University Health Plans directly at (800) 437-6448. When the Drew insurance is the student’s only health insurance, it is recommended that the student purchase the supplemental plan so that they have extended coverage in the event of a catastrophic illness. The supplemental insurance is probably not needed for international students who would return home for care in the event of a serious illness.
Online enrollment or waiver will be available beginning in July and the deadline for enrollment or waiver is August 5 (exclusive of MFA and MAT students). Students who waive out of the plan online will be able to print out a confirmation of their waiver request. The online address is www.universityhealthplans.com Note: If full-time students do not submit a waiver by the deadline they will be automatically enrolled in the plan.
Obtaining Student Insurance ID cards :
Students who intend to enroll can expedite the receipt of their new insurance cards by enrolling online. The ID cards will be mailed from the insurance company to your Drew campus address within 2-3 weeks of your online enrollment.
Please note that students are not required to carry the student plan in order to use Drew Health Service and there is no charge for routine visits with campus physicians and nurse practitioners . However, students who are enrolled in the plan will not be billed for onsite lab tests, x-rays, allergy shots, women’s healt care and testing, asthma treatments, and many prescription medications that are obtained and dispensed at the Health Service (except travel vaccines not on the adult recommended vaccination schedule).
Joyce Maglione, PhD
Director of Health Service