Impact of the Repeal or Revision of the ACA on the Princeton Student Health Plan (SHP)

March 15, 2017

The Princeton Student Health Plan (SHP) is a self-insured plan, which allows the University the flexibility to determine coverage and plan design. In the event that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is repealed or revised this year, the University does not plan to make changes to the Plan fees or coverage

The University contracts with Aetna Student Health for the processing of healthcare claims and with OptumRx for prescription drug claims processing1. However, because the Plan is self-insured, Aetna does not control what is and is not covered under the SHP.  Princeton University controls those decisions.

For the next Plan year, which starts September 1, 2017 and runs through the following August 2018, there will be no changes to the Plan.

Read more about the Student Health Plan and what is covered under it.

SHP changes resulting from implementation of ACA

With the implementation of the ACA, certain coverage enhancements were made to the Plan in 2014. In 2016, the SHP was certified by CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to be in full compliance with all federal and New Jersey State mandates. The primary coverage enhancements include:

  • elimination of out of pocket expenses for “preventive care” (as defined under ACA)
  • elimination of  out of pocket expenses for certain contraceptives and related devices,
  • removal of limitations on the number of annual outpatient visits (e.g., behavioral health), and
  • expansion for coverage for certain immunizations

If you have additional questions, call the Student Health Plan office at 609-258-3138 or email [email protected].


1Both vendors provide access to their firms’ negotiated pricing with health care providers and drug companies, in addition to supporting the management of the Plan through the processing of claims.