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All students enrolled at UNO have access to Student Health Services, regardless of whether or not they have insurance of any kind. However, we only provide primary care. In order to provide access to specialist care and emergency room services, Student Health Services offers an optional low-cost sickness and accident insurance policy. A copy of the plan and an enrollment form is mailed to every student before the beginning of the Fall semester. If you do not want it, simply disregard the mailing. Otherwise these forms are also available in Student Health Services (U.C.244) or Student Life (U.C.260), or on-line at www.sas-mn.com . Below are some frequently asked questions regarding our policy. It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with the policy and use it properly should he/she decide to purchase it. UNO does not adjudicate claims nor does it get involved in claim disputes. Questions regarding claims should be addressed to the insurance company (address below). Please read the policy carefully and call the agent or insurance company with any questions!
It is very important to keep the insurance company (and UNO) abreast of any changes in address. Relevant contact information is listed below.
Policy number: 17-64-0154-025-601-7
-Do I have to buy the insurance in order to come to UNO Student Health Services?
No! Any student may come to UNO Student Health Services at any time, regardless of insurance status.
-How much does it cost?
For the 2007-2008 school year, the annual cost for a student 35 years of age or under is $798, by semester it is $399. For a student aged 36 and over, the annual cost is $1,166, and by semester it is $583. There is also a monthly payment plan (see below). Spring semester includes the summer session regardless of whether or not the student is taking classes. Summer session may also be purchased separately. Spouses, children, and grandchildren may also be added although this increases the cost considerably (detailed in the enrollment form). It is possible to add dependents after the enrollment period at a pro-rated cost. Be sure to read the eligibility clause in the brochure. For two married students, it is less expensive to enroll separately rather than as student and spouse.
-What kind of a policy is it?
It is a sickness and accident policy which uses a local PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). The policy assumes that UNO Student Health Services serves as your primary care provider, although you may use another primary care doctor in certain circumstances. It is in the best interest of the student to use UNO Student Health Services for primary care, as your visit to us is free of charge thus reserving your insurance benefits for specialist or emergency care which we do not provide. If you spend your insurance benefits on primary care, you may not have monies left over for specialists should you need them and thus you would need to pay them out of pocket.
-Does it include catastrophic major medical benefits?
The basic policy does not. There are catastrophic major medical benefits though, offered as an optional rider which must be purchased at the time of the initial policy purchase. The cost is $300 per person. This rider increases the benefit up to $250,000 for each injury and sickness. There are exclusions and the rider should be read carefully. Where financially feasible, Student Health Services recommends this option as it dramatically increases the availability of resources. To sign up, please contact the local agent.
-How soon do I have to buy it?
The enrollment period is the first 30 days of the semester. After that, the student will have to wait until the start of the next semester, with very few exceptions, such as being terminated from another already existing policy.
-Is there a payment plan?
Yes! If you purchase the insurance for the whole year in the Fall semester, you may use a nine month payment plan which will cover you for the full twelve months. For the 2007-2008 year, the monthly payment for a student 35 and under is $89; for students 36 and over it is $130. Spouses and children may also be included, although this does raise the cost. The insurance company will not bill you, and so it is the student’s responsibility to mail their payment on time. Failure to make a payment is reason enough to drop a student from the insurance plan. There is no payment plan if you purchase it by semester. There are no interest charges. The twentieth of the month is the due date for all payments. A $15.00 fee will be assessed for any check returned NSF (non-sufficient funds). Payments and arrangements may be made to and through the local agent:
Lyman Agency, Inc.
P.O. Box 11313
Jefferson, LA. 70181-1313
(504) 828-0208
-Do I have to be a full-time student to buy it?
No! The minimum requirements are 4 undergraduate hours or 3 graduate hours.
-What if I’m graduating in the Fall semester?
As mentioned earlier, you can buy the insurance for just the semester. However, if you purchase the insurance for the whole year in the Fall semester, it will still cover you through the following August 20th, even though you graduated in December. (This is a good option for graduates whose immediate post-graduation plans are uncertain, or where there is a delay for new insurance).
-May I choose my own doctor?
Yes! If you choose a doctor who is on the PPO, the policy will pay full covered benefits. You may use a physician who is not on the PPO, but the insurance will then pay only the non-PPO benefit, which is less. Most local doctors are on the PPO, which is called First Health Network. The list of doctors and health care providers is provided on-line at www.firsthealth.com, or you may obtain one by calling 888-685-7774.
-How does the insurance work?
Upon your visit to us, if the doctor deems you need specialized care, he/she will issue a referral. You then get a referral/claim form at the front desk (of Student Health Services) or from the insurance company web page and make your own appointment with the doctor of your choice. (You look them up at the PPO website, www.firsthealth.com).When you go to your appointment, show them your insurance card and give them the referral/claim form filled out to the best of your ability and signed. The health care provider will finish filling out the form and will mail it in for payment. You do not have to pay anything at the time of your visit. You do not need the referral/claim form if you need to go to the emergency room.
-Where do I get my insurance card?
The insurance company will mail one to you to the address you give them. They will also mail information concerning travel benefits and Ask Mayo Clinic. You may also request a card through the webpage of the insurance company (www.sas-mn.com) All cards are issued after the enrollment period ends. Be sure to inform them of any address changes.
International students may pick their cards up at the Office of International Students and Scholars (BA 256).
-Are there any deductibles or co-pays?
There are no deductibles and only one co-pay, which is an emergency room visit co-pay of $50.
-Is there a pharmacy benefit?
Yes! The pharmacy benefit is $250 per illness and it works by reimbursement. (You buy it first, and then send them a letter requesting reimbursement along with a copy of your receipt. The address is listed below. This process usually takes 4-6 weeks. Note: UNO Pharmacy is an excellent low-cost pharmacy which can fill most prescriptions from any doctor).
-Is the health insurance policy automatically included in my tuition and fees?
No! It is optional, except for international students (see below). It is not paid for by your tuition and fees or financial aid and needs to be purchased separately.
-Does it cover dental or vision exams?
No. There are no preventive dental or vision benefits. Dental or eye-care services are covered only as a result of trauma, accident, or infection.
-Does the insurance cover maternity benefits?
Yes! However conception must occur while coverage is in effect. Well baby care (in-patient nursery) is limited to $100 for a PPO doctor. However, a newborn may be added to the policy at any time.
-Does it cover a pap test?
By law, insurance must cover access to a pap test for women. However, this insurance will pay only for the lab work and not the office visit since this is considered preventive services and the policy is a sickness and accident policy. A student who seeks a pap test outside of UNO may be held accountable for the cost of the office visit. Office visits for a pap test outside of UNO generally cost in excess of $75. The pap test at UNO Student Health Services is $26. Therefore it is less expensive and often more convenient to get these services at UNO.
-Can I use this insurance when I travel or outside the New Orleans area?
Yes! Emergency travel assistance services are provided by Assist America when traveling 100 miles or more away from home or school. If you are traveling and need help, call the following numbers and you will be directed to the nearest medical care: 800-872-1414.
-What is the “Ask Mayo Clinic” benefit?
Another benefit of this insurance is 24 hour, 7 days a week access to a registered nurse via a telephone. This service is administered through the Mayo Foundation. The enrollee may call with any questions regarding an illness, injury, or medical concern. Relevant phone and code numbers for access are mailed out to enrollees and are also available from the local agent.
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, J-1 SCHOLARS, AND ESL STUDENTS ONLY:
All international students must have health insurance by law. The UNO health insurance policy is automatically included in your tuition and fees by semester. You may have the charge removed if you show proof of similar coverage from another insurance company or from your home country. This paperwork must be done by the end of the first week of the semester, preferably before you pay your tuition and fees. To accomplish this simply take the relevant documents to the Office of International Students and Scholars (BA 256, 280-6222 or 280-6021). By law, all international students must have insurance while they are in the country. If you will be in the U.S. prior to the insurance being in effect, you may purchase the insurance based on a daily rate up until the date the insurance becomes effective; simply contact our local agent. Insurance may also be purchased for optional practical training.
Important Contact Information:
Our local servicing agent is:
Lyman Agency, Inc.
5720 Salmen St.
Jefferson, LA. 70181-1313
(504) 828-0208
Mail: P.O. Box 11313
Jefferson. LA. 70181-1313
Preferred Provider Organization:
First Health Network
www.firsthealth.com
888-685-7774
Insurance Company:
Pharmacy reimbursements or problems with claims may be addressed to:
Student Assurance Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 196
Stillwater, MN. 55082-0196
(800) 328-2739
www.sas-mn.com
Underwriter:
Columbian Life Insurance Company
Administrative Service Office:
Vestal Parkway East
P.O. Box 1381
Binghampton, NY. 13902-1381 | 
