Seattle University: Health Insurance For Graduate Students?

Seattle University does not offer health insurance to domestic students, but it does provide a mandatory health insurance plan for international students through Aetna. This plan is comprehensive, covering students in the Seattle area, as well as during travel within the United States or their home country. International students at Seattle University are automatically enrolled in the Aetna plan but can opt out through a waiver process if they have comparable insurance that meets the waiver requirements.

Seattle University offers health insurance to international students through Aetna

Seattle University strongly encourages all students to have health insurance. While proof of health insurance coverage does not need to be submitted by domestic students, and there is no school-sponsored health insurance plan available to them, international students are required to have health insurance while in the United States.

Seattle University offers a Student Health Insurance Plan to all international students through Aetna. This is a nationwide and international policy, which means students will be covered in the Seattle area, as well as if they are travelling to other areas in the United States or while they are back home. The plan is mandatory, and all international students will be enrolled by default. There is an option to opt out through a waiver process if students have a comparable insurance plan that meets the waiver requirements.

The Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan has a deductible of $100. Many services apply to this deductible, so services like lab work, x-rays, MRIs, ambulance rides, surgeries, and much more all apply. For services received at the Seattle University Student Health Center (SHC), the deductible is waived and benefits will be paid at 100% for eligible health services including lab work performed at LabCorp if referred by the SHC.

The academic year is broken down into three terms: fall, winter, and spring/summer. For each term that a student is enrolled, that portion of the premium will be billed to their student account unless they have successfully waived the insurance for the year. If a student graduates, takes a leave of absence, or withdraws, the insurance policy will end with the last term they were enrolled. The only exception is spring/summer, which is a combined term, so if a student graduates at the end of the spring term, they will have the student health insurance plan through 8/31 (or 7/31 for law students).

Students can access the 2024-25 health plan, highlight sheets, and other information on the Aetna Student Health website.

Domestic students are not required to provide proof of insurance coverage

Domestic students at Seattle University are not required to provide proof of insurance coverage. This is because Seattle University does not offer health insurance to domestic students and proof of health insurance coverage does not need to be submitted.

However, while it is not mandatory, Seattle University strongly encourages all students to have health insurance. For those who are interested in acquiring health insurance, there is more information about plans in Washington state at the Washington Health Insurance page.

International students, on the other hand, are subject to different requirements. Seattle University offers a Student Health Insurance Plan to all international students through Aetna. This is a nationwide and international policy, meaning that students are covered in the Seattle area, as well as when travelling to other areas in the United States or while they are back home. The plan is mandatory, and all international students required to have health insurance while in the United States will be enrolled by default. However, there is an option to opt out through a waiver process if students have a comparable insurance plan that meets the waiver requirements.

International students with existing health insurance plans can waive Seattle University health insurance

Seattle University strongly encourages all students to have health insurance. While proof of health insurance coverage is not required, and there is no school-sponsored health insurance plan available to domestic students, the university does offer a mandatory health insurance plan to all international students through Aetna. This is a nationwide and international policy, meaning students are covered in the Seattle area, as well as when travelling to other areas in the United States or while back in their home country.

International students with existing health insurance plans can waive the Seattle University health insurance plan by following the waiver process. The waiver is accessible via the JCB Student Insurance Portal. JCB Insurance Solutions is the broker contracted with Seattle University to manage the waivers and they adhere to the same standard of protecting personal information as the university. The fall waiver is typically accessible by August, with the waiver for subsequent terms opening 1-2 months before the start of the winter and spring quarters.

To access the waiver, students should:

• Go to the JCB Student Insurance Portal.
• Select 'Seattle University', the relevant plan year, and 'International student' or 'Law student'.
• Click on 'My Account' to log in and create an account if they don't already have one. Students must use their Seattle University email address when creating their account.
• Click on 'Submit Waiver Here'.
• Enter their insurance information and upload a copy of the front and back of their insurance card.
• Resubmit corrected information if necessary.

Waivers only need to be completed once per academic year, and once approved, the premium will be removed from the student's account. If a student misses the waiver deadline, they can submit a waiver for the next term but will be responsible for the current term's premium.

The University offers a choice of medical plans to faculty and staff

Seattle University offers a choice of medical plans to its faculty and staff, allowing them to select the plan that best meets their needs and the needs of their families. This includes a choice between two providers: Aetna's extensive network of preferred providers and the Kaiser Permanente HMO, which offers care provided by Kaiser staff and contracted facilities.

The Aetna PPO Medical Insurance plan has a deductible of $500 per individual and a maximum of $1,000 for a family. Once the deductible is met, the individual pays a percentage of the expenses, called coinsurance. If the coinsurance and deductible reach a certain amount, known as the out-of-pocket maximum, the plan will pay 100% of eligible expenses for the rest of the year, excluding copays and premiums.

The Aetna HSA Medical Insurance plan has a lower monthly premium than the PPO plan, but a higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Before the plan pays benefits, individuals must pay $2,000 of eligible health expenses, with a deductible of $4,000 to cover the individual and their enrolled dependents. Once the deductible is met, the individual will pay a coinsurance percentage until they reach their annual out-of-pocket maximum. To help with these costs, the University will contribute to a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account administered by Fidelity, and individuals can also make paycheck contributions to this account.

The Kaiser Permanente HMO plan requires copayment for certain services, and to receive coverage, individuals must use a Kaiser provider. There are exceptions in certain emergency situations. This plan does not require a referral from a primary care physician to see many specialists in the network.

In addition to these medical plans, Seattle University also offers dental and vision coverage to its faculty and staff. Delta Dental of Washington provides dental coverage, and VSP provides vision coverage, with the option to choose between a 'core' and 'enhanced' vision plan.

Seattle University prioritises the health and wellness of students, faculty and staff

For faculty and staff, Seattle University offers comprehensive and competitive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts. The university prioritises choice, allowing faculty and staff to select the plan that best meets their needs and the needs of their families. This includes a choice between Aetna's extensive network of preferred providers and the Kaiser Permanente HMO plan. Delta Dental of Washington provides Seattle University's dental coverage, and VSP provides vision coverage.

Seattle University also offers a range of other benefits to support the health and wellness of its community. This includes generous time off for vacation, holidays, and sick leave, as well as university contributions to retirement and tuition remission for employees, spouses, or dependents. The university also provides access to free fitness centres and recreational programs, as well as discounted personal training packages and intramural sports leagues. Additionally, staff and faculty can opt into pre-tax deductions for transit passes or on-campus parking permits.

The university also recognises the importance of mental health and emotional well-being. Seattle University offers free and confidential counselling sessions, online resources, and chat therapy through its sponsored program, Resources for Living. This service is available to employees and their households, including dependent children up to the age of 26.

Frequently asked questions