There are two reasons you may apply for an extension of Student Health Plan coverage: Approved Student Leave of Absence Without Comparable Coverage Coverage due to Medical Disability Learn more about each criteria and application requirements below. Both extensions allow use of the Student Health Plan for off-campus services only. Extension of Student Health Plan Coverage for an Approved Student Leave of Absence Without Comparable Coverage Students taking an approved leave of absence who do not have access to comparable health insurance while on leave are eligible to receive up to a six-month extension of the SHP at no additional cost and will also be able to purchase up to six additional months of coverage beyond the no-cost extension at the normal student rate. Referral is not required for specialist medical care and services while on this SHP extension. Learn more about: Extension Criteria Extension Period Required Application and Attestation Extension Cost and Billing Coverage for Dependents Prescription Coverage Vision and Dental Coverage Extension Criteria This benefit is available for a student enrollee (and any dependent enrollee) who meets all of the following criteria: must have an identified approved leave status; is without comparable insurance; and is planning to return to the university to pursue their education. Extension Period Student enrollees on an Approved Student Leave of Absence who do not have comparable coverage to the SHP available, may submit an application to continue SHP coverage for a period of up to 12 months, in up to two six-month increments, starting from the semester that follows the approved Leave of Absence (either August 1 or February 1). Coverage will remain in place through the end of the semester of the Approved Leave. The extension would start the following semester. Example: if a student’s approved Leave of Absence is April 1, their coverage will continue through July 31, the end of the Spring/Summer coverage period. The first 6-month extension would begin August 1. Example: if a student’s approved Leave of Absence is October 1, their coverage will continue through January 31, the end of the Fall coverage period. The first 6-month extension would begin February 1. Undergraduate students: If you have a financial aid package that includes the cost of the Student Health Plan, please check with the Financial Aid Office to inquire if your aid package will be impacted by this enrollment change. If there is a status change at any point during the extension period, and the student no longer meets the extension requirements, their SHP extension enrollment will be terminated effective the date of their status change. A prorated refund for the SHP will be placed on the student’s account, if applicable. Prorated refunds are not given for the dental or vision plans. Required Application and Attestation Process An application must be completed separately for each extension. The coverage is not automatically extended. If an extension is not completed, the coverage will terminate effective the end of the Fall or Spring/Summer coverage period. Application for the first 6-month extension must be completed within 45 days of the approved leave of absence. The Extension of Coverage for Approved Student Leave without Comparable Coverage Application and Attestation Form is available on the MyUHS online portal under the "Forms" section. Extension Cost and Billing Coverage for the first six-months will be provided at no expense to the student. Coverage for an additional six-months is available as long as the student remains on an Approved Leave of Absence. Application for the subsequent extension must be completed within 30 days prior to the end of the first 6-month period. For the subsequent six-month period, payment will be billed to the student’s account. See fee schedule below. If an extension continues into the next plan year, extension fee may be adjusted based on the next plan year fee schedule, if applicable, and will include the application of new plan year deductibles. During the Plan Year August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025, for all approved student leave of absence without comparable coverage to the SHP and for their eligible dependents, rates for the second six months will be as follows: First 6 Month Extension Rate Second 6 Month Extension Rate Student $0 $1,755 Spouse $1,215 $1,215 Child $608 $608 Children (2) $1,215 $1,215 Children (3+) $1,823 $1,823 Coverage for Dependents Dependents on the SHP are able to extend coverage if their affiliated student is taking an approved leave and does not have comparable coverage. They must complete the required application and payment of fees within 45 days of the approved leave date. Eligible dependents include a student’s spouse and eligible children up to 26 years of age (including stepchildren, foster children, and legally adopted children), provided the student is fully enrolled and eligible for coverage. Prescription Coverage The prescription plan is considered part of the Student Health Plan. While on leave, a student that extends coverage on the SHP will also have their prescription coverage extended. Vision and Dental Coverage For students that have already enrolled in dental and/or vision coverage, their coverage will continue for the period for which they have enrolled. At the end of the period of enrollment in the dental and/or vision coverage, these benefits will terminate. Vision and dental coverage are separate and apart from the Student Health Plan, and are not part of the extension of coverage for an approved student leave of absence without comparable coverage. Extension of Student Health Plan Coverage due to Medical Disability The SHP offers a 90-day extension of coverage to enrolled students who are undergoing treatment when their coverage is being terminated. This applies to all students, including those who are graduating. The extension will cover treatment of the medically disabling condition. It will not cover claims for any non-related medical issues. Referral is not required for specialist medical care and services while on this SHP extension. Learn more about: Extension Criteria Extension Period Required Application Extension Cost and Billing Coverage for Dependents Extension Criteria This benefit is available for a student enrollee (and any eligible dependent enrollee) who meets all of the following criteria: the student has an identified medical disability or becomes confined to a hospital or is undergoing specialty treatment for an identified condition; the condition has been documented in the student’s medical records by University Health Services within 30 days prior to the termination of the SHP; the student is with or without comparable coverage; and the student is not planning on returning to the university (example - graduating status). Extension Period Coverage continues if a student enrollee is medically disabled or becomes confined to a hospital or is undergoing specialty treatment for an identified condition and this condition has been documented in the student’s medical records by the providers at University Health Services within 30 days prior to the termination of the SHP. The condition must be due to an accidental bodily injury or illness incurred before the coverage would have terminated. Such coverage continues, subject to the provisions of the SHP for treatment of the disabling condition, until 90 days after the date of normal termination of coverage. 90 days is the maximum coverage available for this benefit. Required Application An application must be completed for the extension. The coverage is not automatically extended. If an extension is not completed, the coverage will terminate effective the end of the student’s active status. The application for the 90-Day Extension of Coverage due to Medical Disability is available on the MyUHS online portal under the "Forms" section. Extension Cost and Billing Full payment for the coverage must be received by the SHP Office within 30 days prior to the termination of the SHP. See fee schedule below. If the 90-day extension continues into the next plan year, the 90-day fee may be adjusted based on the next plan year fee schedule, and will include the application of new plan year deductibles. 90-Day Extension Rates Student $878 Spouse $608 Child $304 Children (2) $608 Children (3) $912 90-Day Coverage for Dependents Dependents also have access to coverage 90-day Extension Due to Medical Disability if they have completed the required application and payment of fees. Contact for Questions If you have questions about the SHP Extension of Coverage or about coverage for other specific benefits and services, contact Aetna by calling 1-877-437-6511. You may also email the SHP Office at [email protected].
