Drake International Student Health Insurance

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 is underwritten by Aetna. The Drake International Student Health Insurance policy meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department of State.  At International Orientation, you will receive a detailed description of the policy and information on an optional dental/vision policy, available at an additional cost.

Must I Buy This?
• YES! All Drake international students and scholars (F, J, M) and their dependents are required to purchase the Drake International Student Health Insurance.  International students may not waive or remove the charge from their bill, except in limited circumstances as described below.
• Insurance purchased by the student, the student's family, or through an employer cannot be substituted for the Drake International Student Health Insurance.  Students and scholars who have insurance coverage in addition to Drake's mandatory policy (for example through a private family policy or an employer) are allowed to retain that coverage, but must still purchase the policy through Drake.
• Coverage is effective August 1 - July 31 each academic year.  You are covered upon your arrival and will receive an insurance card a few weeks after the semester begins.

Cost and Billing:
• 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. Students that will only study at Drake during the fall semester should only pay the fall portion of the premium; reimbursements will not be made.  Students that will begin their studies at Drake during the spring semester will only be charged the spring/summer portion of the premium in January.
• Dependents must also purchase Drake International Student Health Insurance and provide proof of comparable coverage. 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.   

Enrolling in the Insurance Plan:
To expedite the receipt of insurance cards, international students should enroll themselves online in the insurance policy prior to arrival at Drake. Students will find the link to enroll in the insurance program under the admitted student tab on blueView (you will also find an FAQ).  Or, students may visit the website of the insurance provider (Aetna) directly to enroll (be sure you enroll in the plan designed for Drake University).
• Choose "Insurance Selection" on the left sidebar
• Choose "Full Time Student Enrollment and Waiver Selection" regardless of your number of credit hours
• Choose continue, enter your Drake ID number, and date of birth (MMDDYY)
• Under the address section, do not change the default address (2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311) unless you know where you will be living in August.  The insurance company will not mail cards overseas.  Please leave the default address so that your insurance card will be mailed to the International Center and given to you at International Orientation. 
• A confirmation will be sent to you via the e-mail address you provide
• If you have difficulty enrolling in the insurance plan, please notify Lauren Derebey at lauren.derebey@drake.edu

Major Medical Benefits (subject to annual changes): 
• The policy as arranged by Drake covers accidents and illnesses; it does not cover preventative care such as vision exams or dental check-ups.  Please see the Aetna website for specific information regarding policy benefits and costs.  You may also call Aetna at (866) 574-8375.
• More information, including a hard copy of the insurance brochure, will be provided at New International Student Orientation.  An Aetna representative will be present at orientation to give a basic explanation of the policy and to answer any questions you might have.

International Assistance Program:
24-hour emergency telephone assistance providing a wide range of services including:
• Catastrophic Transportation of a family member to student/scholar's hospital bedside when hospitalization exceeds 7 days.
• Medical evacuation if illness forces a student/scholar to go home.
• Repatriation coverage to return mortal remains home.

Waivers of the Drake International Student Health

Insurance Conditions:
Insurance purchased by one’s family or provided through an employer does NOT qualify for a waiver of the Drake International Student Health Insurance.

Waivers will be granted under two conditions:

A. International students or scholars who have comparable, non-cancelable insurance through a sponsoring organization such as A.I.D., AMIDEAST, Fulbright, ISEP, or the Malaysian Students Department are exempt from the Drake International Student Health Insurance. 

B. If you have a preexisting condition (a health condition which was diagnosed prior to enrollment at Drake) you may apply for a waiver of the Drake International Student Health Insurance.  Your application must include a doctor’s verification of the condition.  You must also prove that you have insurance, which is comparable to the Drake International Student Health Insurance.

How to Apply:

To be considered for a waiver, 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.

Applications based on Condition A. must include:
• A letter or other documentation from your sponsoring agency, which verifies your insurance coverage.    
• A complete description of coverage which shows in U.S. dollar amounts, that it is comparable to that listed above, including at least $10,000 for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of remains.

Applications for a waiver based on Condition B. must include:
• A letter of request which outlines your situation
• A doctor's documentation of your pre-existing medical condition
• A complete description of coverage which shows, in U.S. dollar amounts, that it is comparable to that listed above, including at least $10,000 for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of remains.

Requests for a waiver should be sent to:
Insurance Waivers Committee
c/o Gretchen Olson Director, International Programs & Services
Drake University
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA, 50311