Insurance FAQs
General Student Health Plan FAQs
What is the University-sponsored student health insurance plan and who is eligible?
The student health insurance plan is offered through United Healthcare to all degree and non-degree-seeking students currently enrolled in classes at the University of Notre Dame.
Was there a previous University-sponsored student health insurance provider?
Yes, Aetna previously served as the student health insurance provider. Coverage through this provider will end on August 14, 2024, and new coverage through United Healthcare will begin on August 15, 2024. Students who are currently covered by Aetna will experience uninterrupted coverage during this transition.
When does the University-sponsored student health insurance plan start and end?
The 12-month student health insurance plan begins annually on August 15 of the current year and ends on Agust 14 the following year. Spring coverage begins on January 1 of the current year and ends on August 14 of the same year, and summer coverage begins on May 15 of the current year and ends on August 14 of the same year. Open enrollment periods are as follows:
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July 15 - August 31 (fall)
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January 1 - February 15 (spring)
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May 15 - June 15 (summer)
Are students required to enroll in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
No, students are not required to enroll in the student health insurance plan. However, if you are an international student, a degree-seeking graduate, professional, or law student, you will be automatically enrolled into the plan and you will receive separate, specific instructions on how to waive coverage in mid-July.
All degree and non-degree-seeking students are required to have US-based health insurance so as not to incur high medical expenses should they require care outside of University Health Services while attending Notre Dame. Most area hospitals and doctors will not accept international insurance, and students without US-based insurance would be forced to pay out-of-pocket expenses.
Students who choose to enroll in the student health insurance plan must do so annually through the period of open enrollment. Open enrollment periods are as follows:
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July 15 - August 31 (fall)
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January 1 - February 15 (spring)
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May 15 - June 15 (summer)
Are there insurance requirements for those who choose not to enroll in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
Yes, all degree and non-degree-seeking students are required to have US-based health insurance so as not to incur high medical expenses should they require care outside of University Health Services while attending Notre Dame. In addition to being US-based, acceptable health insurance must include the following:
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Deductible of $500 or less for individual plans, or any amount for non-individual plans (e.g., parents’ insurance plans that cover the student, a student’s employer insurance plan, or student’s spouse’s employer’s insurance plan)
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Unlimited aggregate maximum
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Local coverage
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Prescription benefit
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Coverage for entire academic year
If students choose not to enroll in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan, are they required to decline coverage?
All international students and degree-seeking graduate, professional, and law students who choose not to enroll in the student health insurance plan must submit a waiver application that provides details regarding the student’s current insurance plan. Acceptable health insurance must include the following:
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Deductible of $500 or less for individual plans, or any amount for non-individual plans (e.g., parents’ insurance plans that cover the student, a student’s employer insurance plan, or student’s spouse’s employer’s insurance plan)
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Unlimited aggregate maximum
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Local coverage
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Prescription benefit
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Coverage for entire academic year
Insurance plans that do not meet these requirements will be rejected, and students will remain on the student health insurance plan.
The annual deadline to submit a waiver for the student health insurance plan for the fall semester is August 31. The spring deadline to submit a waiver is February 15, and the summer deadline is June 15. Waivers must be submitted annually.
Can I purchase the University-sponsored student health insurance plan if I previously signed a waiver?
All students may choose to enroll in the student health insurance plan during open enrollment even if they waived coverage in previous years.
Students who would like to purchase the plan outside of open enrollment may only be added to the plan due to a qualifying event, including marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the arrival of a student’s spouse in the US, and the loss of coverage from an insurance provider. For more information, please email insurancequestions@nd.edu, and provide the date you need the student health insurance to start and what life event led to the loss of previous coverage. A staff member will respond with the prorated premium amount and provide an application.
What is the cost of the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
Current rates for the student health insurance plan can be found here. Prices are included for individuals and families.
For eligible graduate students receiving full funding as defined by their department, the Graduate School will provide a subsidy that pays 100% of the annual premium cost of the student health insurance plan for the student and their legal dependents (the dependent subsidy does not begin until August 15, 2024).
What is the deductible through the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
The deductible is $350 for in-network providers and $1,500 for out-of-network providers per academic year (August 15 - August 14) per person when receiving care outside of University Health Services. Students will need to meet the deductible first and then the charges will be reimbursed at 80% for in-network providers and 60% for out-of-network providers.
Do prescription copays apply to the University-sponsored student health insurance plan deductible?
No, copays and coinsurance DO NOT apply to the deductible, but they do apply to the annual out-of-pocket maximum.
I don’t have the University-sponsored student health insurance plan. Can I still utilize University Health Services?
Yes, all degree and non-degree-seeking students currently enrolled in classes at the University of Notre Dame can utilize University Health Services (UHS). Please note that the UHS is considered out-of-network among all insurance companies and does not file third party claims. Students must print a copy of their statements through their online UHS Patient Portal and send it to their insurance provider for billing.
Does the University-sponsored student health insurance plan cover me throughout the United States and internationally?
Yes, the student health insurance plan provides students with coverage anywhere in the world. Inside the United States, the deductible is $350 for in-network providers and $1,500 for out-of-network providers. Students will need to meet the deductible first and then the charges will be reimbursed at 80% for in-network providers and 60% for out-of-network providers. Outside the United States, the deductible is $350 for all providers. After the deductible is met, charges will be reimbursed at 80%.
What are the costs of prescriptions through the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
When prescriptions are filled at the Walgreens pharmacy inside Saint Liam Hall, there is a single copay of $5 for generic medications, $30 for brand name medications, and $70 for specialty drugs. When filling prescriptions off campus, students pay 20%, 40%, or 100% of the cost of the prescription depending on the type of medication with a minimum cost of $15, $45, or $75.
Does United Healthcare have a 3 month prescription supply mail plan?
No.
Do students who have the University-sponsored student health insurance plan need to pay 20% plus the deductible when seeking treatment at University Health Services?
No, medical care is reimbursed 100% for students on the student health insurance plan when receiving treatment at University Health Services (UHS). However, prescription copays are charged at Walgreens inside Saint Liam Hall, and coinsurance (your percentage amount) for lab tests performed by LabCorp are also billed to the patient. Only Notre Dame students can access medical care at UHS; dependents on the student health insurance plan may use Walgreens in St. Liam Hall only.
If I have the University-sponsored student health insurance plan and University Health Services refers me to a specialist, do I have to pay 20% of the costs plus the deductible?
Yes, students have a $350 deductible for off-campus, in-network providers and a $1,500 deductible for out-of-network providers. You will need to meet the deductible first and then the charges will be reimbursed at 80% for in-network providers and 60% for out-of-network providers.
Are students on the University-sponsored student health insurance plan required to pay their percentage amount (coinsurance) at the time of service to off-campus providers?
Not necessarily. Most providers will file your claim with the insurance company and then send you a bill after the insurance company pays the provider. This includes fees incurred through LabCorp inside Saint Liam Hall.
Does the University-sponsored student health insurance plan help with alternative medicine (massage therapy, chiropractic services, acupuncture, etc.)?
Medically necessary chiropractic services are covered under the policy. If services are for maintenance therapy or non-medically necessary services by a chiropractor, acupuncturist, or massage therapist, they are not covered under the insurance plan.
I am enrolled in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan and never received a card. How do I get an insurance card?
Visit uhcsr.com/myaccount to create an account. Students can then print cards for themselves and their dependents after logging into their account.
How can I determine whether a provider or facility is in-network through the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
Click here to view a list of providers.
Does the University-sponsored student health insurance plan cover dental?
The student health insurance plan includes a dental discount plan that provides reduced rates at the time of service through preferred providers. To locate providers who accept the plan, please click here. Additionally, optional dental insurance plans are available through Delta Dental, the University's dental insurance provider. Plan options are available here; please visit www.mysmilecoverage.com/ND to enroll.
Does the University-sponsored student health insurance plan cover vision?
The student health insurance plan includes a vision discount plan that provides reduced rates at the time of service through preferred providers. To locate providers who accept the plan, please click here.
What is the explanation of benefits I receive through the University-sponsored student health insurance plan? Do I need to pay United Healthcare?
An explanation of benefits is a notice that details how a claim was processed. Students do not need to pay United Healthcare after receiving this notice. Rather, providers will bill students directly within approximately 30 days after the student health insurance plan has processed the claim.
Can I terminate my University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
No, the plan cannot be canceled. Regardless of a student’s standing with the University (e.g., student takes a leave of absence, student finishes studies early, student leaves the University, etc.), the student health insurance plan remains in effect until August 14.
I am graduating and would like to extend my University-sponsored student health insurance plan. Is this possible?
Students graduating in January or May are covered through the student health insurance plan until August 14. Students who are graduating in August should email insurancequestions@nd.edu to determine additional possibilities for coverage.
How is maternity care covered through the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
The deductible applies to maternity care, and the reimbursement rate is 80% in-network and 60% out-of-network.
I have received a subsidy toward the University-sponsored student health insurance plan through the Graduate School. Why are there charges on my student account?
The subsidy toward the student health insurance plan will be added to your student account in mid-September and mid-February. Rest assured that Student Accounts is aware of your stipend and will not bill you for the cost of the student health insurance plan. If you have questions about the subsidy, please check with your program.
Dependent FAQs
Can I enroll dependents in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
Yes, the student health insurance plan allows for the enrollment of student dependents.
Graduate students who are full-time and fully-funded receive a subsidy that pays 100% of the annual health insurance premium, and beginning in fall 2024, they will also receive a subsidy that covers 100% of the cost of the health insurance premium for their legal dependents. Eligibility requirements for the health insurance subsidy through the Graduate School can be found here.
Are student dependents automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
No, dependents are not automatically enrolled in the student health insurance plan. Students are required to elect coverage for their dependents during the open enrollment period, which is based on the semester in which they begin their studies. Open enrollment periods are as follows:
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July 15 - August 31 (fall)
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January 1 - February 15 (spring)
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May 15 - June 15 (summer)
Outside of open enrollment, dependents may only be added for specific qualifying events.
What are the qualifying events that allow me to add or remove a dependent outside of open enrollment in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan?
Qualifying events to add a dependent include marriage, the birth of a child, the arrival of a student’s spouse and/or child in the US, and the loss of coverage from an insurance provider.
To add a dependent to the student health insurance plan following a qualifying event, please submit the request via email within 31 days of the event to insurancequestions@nd.edu. Students who experience the loss of insurance coverage have 62 days to add a dependent to the student health insurance plan. Proof of arrival date in the US or loss of previous coverage may be required. Please note that additional documentation may also be required.
Qualifying events to remove a dependent during the plan year include death of a dependent and divorce.
To remove a dependent from the student health insurance plan following a qualifying event, please submit the request via email within 31 days of the event to insurancequestions@nd.edu.
If you think you have an exception to the aforementioned list of qualifying events that should be considered, please email insurancequestions@nd.edu.
What documents are needed to add a dependent to the plan?
To add a dependent to the student health insurance plan following a qualifying event, please submit the request via email within 31 days of the event to insurancequestions@nd.edu. For spouses, you must provide a marriage certificate. For children, please provide birth certificate(s), adoption papers, proof of custody/guardianship, or passport(s).
What documents are needed to remove a dependent from the plan during the plan year?
To remove a dependent from the student health insurance plan following a qualifying event, please submit the request via email within 31 days of the event to insurancequestions@nd.edu. Depending on the circumstances, either a divorce decree or death certificate must be provided.
What happens if I miss the deadline to add dependents?
Email insurancequestions@nd.edu to request an exception, and additional guidance will be provided. If you are approved to add a dependent outside of open enrollment or the statement timeframe for a qualifying event, the coverage will be backdated to begin at the start of the plan year or the date of the qualifying event.
Can dependents utilize University Health Services?
No, dependents are not eligible to receive care at University Health Services, regardless of whether or not a student has the student health insurance plan.
Can dependents utilize the University’s Wellness Center?
Dependents of graduate and professional students are eligible to use the Wellness Center. Dependents are required to register to access the Wellness Center here.
Is there any out-of-network coverage for dependents?
Yes. There is a $1,500 deductible for out-of-network providers. You will need to meet the deductible first and then the charges will be reimbursed at 60% for out-of-network providers.
If a subsidy-eligible graduate student starts their graduate program in the summer of 2024, will they receive the subsidy for their dependents in the summer?
No, the dependents of the subsidy-eligible students will not be eligible for the subsidy until the student health insurance plan year begins on August 15.
Glossary of Common Medical Insurance Terms
Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost of a service that the insured individual must pay to the provider for that service.
Copayment (Copay): A dollar amount that you pay to the doctor at your visit.
Deductible: The amount of eligible expense the insured individual must pay each year out of pocket before the plan will pay.
Explanation of benefits (EOB): The coverage statement that lists services provided, amount billed, and payments made.
Graduate School health insurance subsidy (only for eligible graduate students): Funding from the Graduate School that covers 100% of the University-sponsored health insurance plan premium for eligible graduate students and their legal dependents.
In-network provider: Health care providers that are contracted with the health plan.
Out-of-network provider: Non-contracted provider. Typically, it requires payment of a deductible and higher copayments and coinsurance than for treatment from a contracted provider.
Out-of-pocket-maximum: The maximum amount of money each year the insured individual will need to pay (in addition to premiums) for covered health services, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Premium: The amount paid by the insured individual to be covered by the plan. At the University, premiums are charged each semester and are billed to your student account.
Qualifying event: Event in the insured individual’s life that allows for medical insurance coverage changes outside of the annual open enrollment period. Changes must be made within the allotted time for the type of event that occurred.
For a more comprehensive glossary of terms, see United Healthcare’s glossary.