HEALTH
INSURANCE FAQ
Most information about your health coverage can be found on the
Student Health Services website:
http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/welcome.htm
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Q. Will I have health coverage while attending UCSF as a full
time student?
A. Yes. You have a mandatory health insurance program that
is paid for through your registration fees. One component is Student
Health Service Center (SHS) on campus. The other component is
health insurance coverage which covers services outside SHS. For
all outside services, you must be referred by the UCSF SHS. Details
of the policy like co-pays, deductibles, limits and any other
questions can be answered in the Student Health brochure located
at http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/docs/insure.pdf.
Q. What
happens to my coverage when I go on filing fee prior to graduation?
A. Your health benefits end once you go on filing fee, unless
you or your PI pay the student health fee for the quarter in which
you will be on filing fee. Current information on fees is available
at: http://saawww.ucsf.edu/admission/gradfees.htm
Q. When I graduate, when will my coverage end?
Your coverage will end on the last day of the quarter for which
full fees (or filing fee plus the student health fee) were paid.
You can opt for extended coverage for 90 days after graduation;
this is expensive ($1117 for 90 days for 2002-03), but in the
absence of other health coverage you may wish to consider it.
See http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/insurance.htm#continuationPlan
for more details.
Q. Is dental
and vision insurance available?
A. Yes. Dental and vision coverage are now included with your
regular student health coverage, as well as an option to upgrade
vision coverage. For full details of coverage, please visit the
Student Health Services website at: http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/docs/visionDental.htm
Q. Can my dependents get health insurance?
A. Yes. A Dependent Health Plan is available. See the Student
Health Services website at:
http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/docs/depPlan.htm.
The following
information is provided by Student
Health Services.
Q. If I
have a lapse in health coverage before becoming a student will
that effect any pre-existing conditions I may have?
A.
Yes it could. A break in coverage can result in the denial of
a pre-existing conditions in some cases. To make sure that your
pre-existing condition will be covered you should keep your current
insurance in force until your Student Health Insurance begins.
This may result in double coverage for a short time period.
Q. When
does my health coverage begin?
A. After
your immunization requirements have been met and your registration
fees are paid in full. Your Summer coverage begins June 16, 2003
for continuing students and Fall coverage begins August 27, 2003
for new students.
Q. After
registering where do I go for my health care?
A.
You can set up appointments at the Student Health Service Center.
We are located at 500 Parnassus Ave, MU-H005, (H level). We are
open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:45 pm. The providers
are available at 9:00 am. You can make an appointment ahead of
time or set up a same day appointment. Please remember you MUST
visit SHS first for your medical needs.
Q. What
if I have a medical emergency and Student Health is closed?
A.
If you have an emergency arising from injuries, psychiatric emergencies,
and acute severe illnesses that require immediate medical attention
you should go to the emergency room at Moffitt-Long Hospital.
It is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. If you visit Moffitt-Long
your care is paid at 100%, but you must be a registered student.
All emergencies are to be reported to SHS within the next working
day, (415-476-1281). All ER notes should be faxed or brought into
SHS.
Q. What
if I have a medical emergency out of the UCSF area?
A.
When you are out of the UCSF area, seek medical care from a network
provider. Visit http://www.cfmcnet.org
to find a health care provider within the state of California,
or http://www.ccnusa.com for
an out-of-state listing of network providers. You will be responsible
only for the $100.00 yearly deductible when you see a network
provider. Otherwise, you may have to pay a $100.00 deductible
and a 20% co-pay if you go to a non-network provider. ALL emergencies
are to be reported to Student Health on the next working day.
All ER notes should be faxed to SHS or brought into our office.
Claims will not be paid until we received this information and
the insured could be financially responsible for payment. If you
are out of the country all bills are to be in English and American
dollars.
Q. What
if I have other medical insurance?
A.
If you already have medical coverage, that will be your primary
insurance. Your Student Health Insurance will be your secondary
insurance in that case. Even though you have other primary coverage
we can still see you at Student Health Service. If you have to
be referred to an outside specialty clinic and you are a subscriber
to an HMO you must receive your health care from them.
If you have
any questions regarding your insurance please read your UCSF Student
Health Service Coverage brochure or visit our Web site at: http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/welcome.htm
