Student Health Insurance FAQ's for International Students

 

1.  What is Drake’s student health insurance requirement?  Like many U.S. universities, Drake requires that all students be covered by a health insurance plan. This requirement helps ensure access to medical care for our students and protects the financial resources they need to finance their Drake education. Drake's insurance plan is offered by Aetna Student Health and underwritten by Aetna.

 

2.  How does this requirement work for international students at Drake?  All international students on F or J visas will be charged the student health insurance fee on their Fall student account.  The amount charged will cover the premium for the entire year, beginning on August 1, 2008 and expiring on July 31, 2009. If you prefer to pay the charge in two payments, you may pay the Fall premium in August and ask Student Accounts to carry the remaining balance on your account for payment with your spring bill. If you graduate in December or fail to enroll at Drake for Spring semester, the remaining balance will be cancelled and your insurance coverage will also be cancelled.  If you will graduate in December or plan to transfer, please only pay the fall portion of the premium in August. You can review your student account status on Drake’s Blueview portal at www.drake.edu/blueview.

 

3. What if I don't start at Drake until Spring or Summer term; will I still be charged for Fall term?  If your first enrollment at Drake is for Spring or Summer term, you will be charged a reduced premium.

 

4.  What is the Aetna Student Health Insurance direct website URL? Click on or Copy and Paste the following URL into your web browser:

http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/stu_conn/student_connection.aspx?group_number=697425

 

5.  How do I get started?  In order to activate your benefits and receive your health insurance member ID card as quickly as possible, simply enroll online by clicking on Aetna’s direct website URL or going through www.drake.edu/blueview, Click on the Student Services Tab, Click on Student Health Insurance Verification.

 

6.  What if I am already covered by my family's or my own health insurance If you or your family have health insurance from an employer or another source, you may decide to keep or cancel that insurance.  You may not cancel the Drake insurance plan.

 

7.  Who pays for my insurance if I am sponsored by an organization like Fulbright, LASPAU or AMIDEAST?  If you are sponsored by an organization that pays your health insurance premium, please be sure Drake has the correct billing address for the organization.  If the organization already provides you with mandatory health insurance and you wish to request a waiver of Drake insurance, you must contact the International Center during the first two weeks of the term. If a waiver is not granted before September 12, 2008, you will be required to pay for Drake's insurance plan.

 

8.  If I have a pre-existing condition that is covered by another insurance policy, will that condition be covered by Drake’s insurance plan?  Yes, the insurance will cover pre-existing conditions as long as you can provide proof of credible coverage.  If you have a pre-existing condition and prefer to continue your insurance coverage through a non-Drake provider, the International Center will consider waiving the insurance requirement.  The insurance must be comparable to Drake’s insurance plan with Aetna Student Health, including coverage minimums and coverage for expatriation and medical evacuation. If you wish to request a waiver of Drake insurance based on a pre-existing condition, you must contact the International Center during the first two weeks of the term. If a waiver is not granted before September 12, 2008, you will be required to pay for Drake's insurance plan.


9.  How can my Prescription Card be beneficial to me even after I have used up the maximum amount of $750 in coverage? As part of the prescription coverage, Aetna has negotiated lower rates through the preferred  pharmacy providers. when ordering prescriptions, show your card--even though you have used up the maximum coverage of $750--and you will still receive the lower negotiated rates for your prescription.  (You will likely pay less for the prescription then if you did not show the card.)


10.  I have heard that students taking less than 10 credits have to pay more for the Drake insurance.  Is that true?This is true for US students, but international students taking less than 10 credits (for example, graduate students) are not charged the higher rate.

 

11. Do I need to purchase insurance for my spouse or dependents?  Yes, Drake requires that all dependents of Drake F and J visa-holders have health insurance either through the Drake plan, or through a plan that is comparable to the one Drake offers.  The Drake plan also meets the J visa requirements of the US Department of State (for details click here).  To purchase the Drake plan for your spouse and/or dependents, you will enroll them when you go into the Aetna Student Health website to enroll and activate your own benefits.  You will need to pay for the dependent and/or spouse coverage at the time of enrollment. The enrollment deadline is September 12, 2008. If your family situation changes after September 12th, (your spouse/dependent moves to the US, you get married, you have a child), you have 30 days from the date of the change to enroll your spouse/dependent(s) in the plan.  

 

12. Can I use the Health Center even if I don’t have Drake’s Student Health Insurance? Yes. The Health Center's services are limited and students may still need to use other medical or emergency services.  For more information on the services that Drake’s Student Health Center provides to students go online to: www.drake.edu/health

 

13. Who can I contact with additional questions regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan or Processes?  If you are within the United States, you may call the toll-free Aetna Student Health customer service number at 866-574-8375 (Drake’s Policy Number is: 697425.)  Drake’s insurance coordinator can be contacted at 515-271-3116 or the Dean of Students number is 515-271-2835.

 

 

 

*Please Note: An Aetna Student Health representative or Drake staff member will give a brief presentation about the insurance plan during International Student Orientation.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions at that time.