Student Health Insurance: Boise State University's Offerings Explained

Boise State University offers health services to its students, staff, and faculty. The university's health services support the educational mission of the university by providing convenient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare. All Boise State students, regardless of insurance coverage, are eligible to receive services at the Health Center. The university also offers medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans. Additionally, international students and graduate assistants are automatically enrolled in mandatory health insurance plans.

International students

It is important to note that international students on specific sponsorship programs, such as KCO and SACM, must submit their current and valid financial guarantees or Financial Support Letters to the university within 10 days of the semester's start date to be exempted from this plan. If sponsorship verification is not received by that date, the student will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the Boise State University health insurance plan.

While Boise State University does offer a health insurance plan, international students are not required to purchase it if they have alternative insurance that meets the university's and the state's requirements. Students with alternative insurance must apply for a waiver, which allows the university to review and approve the insurance purchased elsewhere.

The Boise State University Health Services accepts most insurance carriers but encourages students to check with their insurance carrier to ensure that Health Services is in-network with their plan. Additionally, international students whose sponsors provide them with health insurance must waive out of the Boise State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) by the waiver deadline each semester to avoid being charged for the Boise State health insurance plan.

Overall, it is crucial for international students to have health insurance, and Boise State University offers a plan that complies with the university's requirements and provides year-round coverage.

Graduate students

Boise State University offers health insurance to graduate students with assistantships. The Graduate Assistantship (GA) award covers the full payment of the monthly premium costs for the GA health insurance plan. The current GA plan is a student plan provided by Aetna using the Open Choice PPO network. Enrollment in the GA health insurance plan is automatic and mandatory, but can be waived if the student has other eligible coverage.

The GA health insurance plan includes on-campus primary care, urgent care, counseling, and immunizations. Additional care, such as visits with a dietitian and massage therapy, may also be included in the plan. Most services are provided under the GA plan at no charge.

The GA health insurance coverage starts on the first day of the month of the student's first day of work and ends on the last day of the month of their last day of work. For example, if a student's first day of work is between August 1st and 31st, their insurance coverage will begin on August 1st. If their last day of work is between May 1st and 31st, their insurance coverage will end on May 31st.

There is an exception to this rule: if a graduate student with an assistantship in the Spring term receives a confirmed appointment for the following Fall term by June 1st, their GA insurance will continue during the summer without a break in service.

The plan year dates, as they relate to the annual deductible and out-of-pocket limits, are August 1st to July 31st.

For more information, graduate students can contact gradassistant@boisestate.edu to request a health insurance waiver form or ask any other questions.

Primary care

Boise State University offers a range of health services to its students, including primary care. The University Health Services (UHS) provides convenient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to the campus community. While Boise State University does not seem to offer its own health insurance plan, it does provide a full range of primary care services to its students.

University Health Services provides on-campus primary care to students, faculty, and staff. Services are fully integrated, meaning that all providers are in the same building, share records, and work together to create individualised care plans. The centre is located on the second floor of the Norco Building at 1529 Belmont Street, Boise, Idaho. Students can contact UHS at (208) 426-1459 or healthservices@boisestate.edu.

UHS accepts most insurance carriers but does not accept Out-of-State Medicaid, Medicare, or VA. Students are encouraged to check with their insurance carrier before their appointment to ensure UHS is in-network with their plan. While UHS strives to assist patients with insurance questions and concerns, it is ultimately the patient's responsibility to ensure their provider is in-network.

For international students, Boise State University offers a mandatory health insurance plan through Aetna. This plan covers international students registered for at least one credit, and coverage is year-round, including summer. The cost for Fall 2024 is $712, while the cost for Spring/Summer 2025 is $992. International students can access their ID card and other insurance information on the Aetna website.

Graduate Assistants at Boise State University are also automatically enrolled in a mandatory health insurance plan through Aetna, known as the GA plan. This plan covers the full payment of monthly premium costs and includes primary care, urgent care, counselling, and immunizations. Most services under the GA plan are provided at no charge.

In addition to primary care, UHS offers urgent care, comprehensive counselling, and wellness services. Students can also access other services through UHS, such as visits with a dietitian and massage therapy.

Urgent care

Boise State University offers urgent care services to its students, faculty, and staff. The University Health Services are located on the second floor of the Norco Building at 1529 Belmont Street, Boise, Idaho. They provide a full range of primary care, urgent care, comprehensive counselling, and wellness services. These services are fully integrated, meaning that all providers are in the same building, share the same records, and work closely together to create a personalised care plan.

For students, the University Health Services provide convenient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare. All Boise State students, regardless of their insurance coverage, are eligible to receive services at the Health Centre. This includes international students, who are automatically enrolled in a mandatory health insurance plan if they are registered for at least one credit. This insurance plan covers most of the services provided by the University Health Services, including urgent care, without any out-of-pocket charges.

For faculty and staff, the University Health Services offer a full range of medical, counselling, and wellness services. These services are conveniently located on campus and provided by board-certified medical professionals. While the University does not specify whether faculty and staff have the same level of access to urgent care services as students, it does emphasise that these services are available to address the healthcare needs of the campus community.

In addition to urgent care, the University Health Services also provide other essential services such as immunisations, dietitian visits, and massage therapy. They strive to assist patients with navigating insurance questions and concerns, but it is the patient's responsibility to ensure that the provider they are scheduled to see is in-network with their respective insurance plans. Overall, Boise State University is committed to supporting the health and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff through the provision of comprehensive and integrated health services.

Prescription drug coverage

Boise State University offers prescription drug coverage to its employees and students. The University Health Services provides on-campus primary care, urgent care, counselling, immunizations, and other health services to students, faculty, and staff. While all Boise State students are eligible to receive services at the Health Centre, regardless of insurance coverage, the University also offers its own medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans.

The prescription drug coverage is included when enrolled in any of the medical plans offered by the University. The coverage provides retail prescription drug benefits through participating pharmacies. The PPO and Traditional Plans offer the same pharmacy benefits, while the High Deductible plan requires the deductible to be met before reimbursing 80% of allowable charges in-network. Prescription drug benefits are managed by Regence Blue Shield's pharmacy benefit manager, Regence Blue Shield Rx.

For Boise State employees enrolled in one of the State's medical plans, automatic dental coverage through Blue Cross of Idaho Dental is provided. Vision Service Plan (VSP) is also offered, with separate plans for adults and dependents aged 19 and older, and for dependents younger than 19.

In addition, international students at Boise State University who are registered for at least one credit are automatically enrolled in a mandatory health insurance plan. This plan is also available to graduate assistants, and the current GA plan is provided by Aetna using the Open Choice PPO network.

Frequently asked questions