INSURANCE FAQ
It is recommended that all UGA students be covered by health insurance either with an individual student policy or through their family policy. For international students and some graduate students, carrying health insurance is mandatory. Complete information about student health insurance requirements and policies can be found on the UGA Human Resources website: www.hr.uga.edu/students/student-health-insurance.
- Information about the Student Health Insurance policies
- UnitedHealthcare -- Voluntary plan (This plan is for students who are not mandated by the University of Georgia to carry insurance.)
- UnitedHealthcare-- Mandatory plan(This plan is for students who are required by the University of Georgia to carry insurance.)
- Free Graduation Toolkit (Information on Health Insurance and the New Health Care Reform Law)
- UHC Medical Insurance Form (pdf)
Follow these steps to find out:
1. Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card.
2. Give the customer service representative the following information:
- University Health Center
- 55 Carlton Street, Athens, GA 30602
- NPI # 1811098817
- TAX ID # 586007998
Health Insurance can be a complicated and confusing subject. Many health insurance plans are available with all sorts of varying coverage, exclusions, deductibles, co-pays, and so on. Following are generally accepted tips for accessing and utilizing any health insurance plan.
- Check with your health insurance company to determine if it considers the University Health Center to be “In-Network” or “Out-of-Network” for reimbursement purposes.
- Carry your current insurance plan card(s) with you at all times. You may have more than one card for your medical plan, prescription plan, dental plan, and so forth.
- Carry some form of photo identification with you at all times.
- Review your health insurance benefits before you need them. By doing so, you will know what to expect at the time of need.
- Review your health insurance plan limitations and exclusions before you need the coverage. Again, this will help you know what to expect at the time of need.
- Know your deductible amount.
- Know your co-pay amount.
- Know your stop loss amount.
- Claim A formal request made by an insured person for the benefits provided by a policy
- Co-Pay/Co-Payment Amount an insured person is expected to pay for a medical expense at the time of the visit
- Deductible A fixed amount of money an insured individual must pay before the benefits of the policy can apply for the calendar/policy year
- Formulary A list of drug choices that are commonly prescribed based on the drugs’ proven effectiveness, safety and cost
- In-Network A provider or health care facility that is part of a particular health plan’s network
- Network A group of doctors, hospitals and other providers contracted to provide services to insured individuals for less than their usual fees
- Out-of-Network Doctors, hospitals and other providers which are not part of a health plan’s network. If a plan uses a network, insured individuals usually pay more when they use an out-of-network provider.
- Pre-Existing Condition An injury or condition for which the insured individual received medical treatment or had symptoms of typically within 12 months before the effective date of insurance coverage
- Premium The money that you pay to your insurance company to guarantee your coverage
- Prior Authorization Verifies the medical necessity of certain treatments
- Provider Whoever is providing the health care service, such as a doctor, a particular clinic, or a particular health center, a nursing home or hospital. These entities are usually licensed by the state, and the University Health Center is a licensed health care provider.
- Referral A formal recommendation made by a primary health care provider for a patient to visit a special type of doctor or get specialty medical services. Referrals are often necessary for specialty doctor visits to be covered by insurance policies.
Please contact the UGA Human Resources Department:
215 S. Jackson Street, Athens, GA 30602
706-542-2222
hr.uga.edu/students
A representative can provide you with information on your enrollment status, waivers, and mandatory student plans through United Healthcare.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Health Fee is paid by every full time student and is optional for students taking 5 or fewer credits.
Be sure to contact your insurance company and ask whether they will cover your services at the health center. Your insurance provider determines what is covered or not. Charges incurred are the responsibility of the student when not paid by the insurance company.
More information can be found on the Financial Information and Insurance page.
Yes, a student health insurance policy is available to all UGA students.
Complete information about student health insurance requirements and policies can be found on the UGA Human Resources website at www.hr.uga.edu/students/student-health-insurance
Health insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company that says that the insurance company will pay a portion of your medical expenses if you get sick or hurt and have to visit a doctor’s office or hospital. The amount of your bill that the insurance company will pay (coverage) can vary greatly from policy to policy. Many students continue to be covered under their parent’s insurance policies. Ask your parent(s) if you aren’t sure about your coverage.
Although health care costs are quite reasonable at the health center, unexpected illness or an accident that results in a single hospital visit can be really pricey without insurance. An uninsured hospital stay can cost even more – up to thousands of dollars – and can generate bills that you will have to pay on for many, many years.
Insurance makes health care affordable by compensating patients for the cost of some services and some drugs. We highly recommend you inquire with your insurance provider prior to any services. Know your insurance plan!
Understanding the basics of your insurance is key, but beyond that, just ask!
First ask your parents, then call your insurance company and remember to look at your insurance card. Every insurance plan is individualized. Therefore, understanding the basics of YOUR insurance plan is what is important.
Filing insurance is simply providing your insurance information to the health center so that a claim can be filed for any service you have. If you have your current insurance card and know some basic information about the primary insured (usually yourself or a parent) all you need to do is present this information at registration/check in.
The pharmacy operates on a different system than the rest of the Health Center, therefore your insurance information will need to be presented in the pharmacy separately.
The pharmacy can process most prescription insurance cards. Some insurance cards provide only medical coverage and may require a separate card for pharmacy coverage. Check with your insurance provider about this and be sure to bring your current card. Even though your medical insurance may not cover your visits to the health center, it may cover your prescriptions at the health center pharmacy.
The health center isn’t able to provide emergency care. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, you should visit an area hospital or call 911.