Augusta University: Student Health Insurance Benefits Explained

Students at Augusta University are automatically enrolled in the Augusta University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). However, students can choose to waive this insurance plan in favour of their own private insurance. This waiver is only approved under specific conditions and requires the completion of an online application form. The Student Health Fee is $140, but this does not mean students are covered by the SHIP. The SHIP provides primary care services and covers substance abuse, and students can visit any provider more than 30 miles away from campus. Augusta University also offers other health care plans, such as the BlueChoice Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan and the Consumer Choice HSA Plan.

Student Health Clinic and off-campus care

The Student Health Clinic at Augusta University provides professional, accessible, and cost-effective primary care services to enrolled students. All students are automatically billed a $140 health fee every semester, which grants them access to the clinic. However, it is important to note that this fee does not constitute health insurance and does not cover all services provided by the clinic. Additional fees are charged for medications, immunizations, laboratory services, diagnostic procedures, minor procedures, equipment, physical therapy visits, Pap visits, physicals, and travel consultations.

If students require off-campus care, they can do so through the Augusta University-Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This is an annual policy billed in two installments (Fall and Spring/Summer). Students who are already covered by another insurance plan can waive the SHIP by completing a waiver form during the specified period each semester. Those who waive SHIP can still use the Student Health Services (SHS) and will be billed a fee for any services received.

For students who are more than 30 miles away from campus, a referral from SHS is not necessary to visit an outside provider, although it is recommended to visit an in-network provider. In the case of a medical emergency, students should seek immediate treatment at the nearest medical facility, and any follow-up care provided outside of SHS will require a referral. Augusta University offers three health care plans: the Comprehensive Care Plan, the Consumer Choice HSA Plan, and the BlueChoice Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan. The Consumer Choice HSA Plan is an inexpensive, comprehensive program with lower premiums and higher deductibles than the Comprehensive Care Plan, and it is designed to be compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSA). The BlueChoice HMO Plan is a comprehensive program that provides primary and referral healthcare services, requiring enrolled individuals to select a primary care physician (PCP) to coordinate their medical services.

Waiver application process

Students at Augusta University are required to have health insurance. The university offers three health care plans: the Comprehensive Care Plan, the Consumer Choice HSA Plan, and the BlueChoice Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan.

The waiver application process at Augusta University allows students who already have health insurance to continue coverage under their current plan and waive the AU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Here is a step-by-step guide to the waiver application process:

• Eligibility: Before starting the waiver application process, students should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The following groups of students are required to have health insurance at Augusta University: undergraduate and graduate international students holding "F" or "J" visa status, graduate students receiving full-time tuition waivers or fully-funded fellowships, and graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in specific programs (such as Health Science) or participating in collegiate sports.
• Timing: The waiver application process has specific opening and closing dates each semester. For example, the Spring 2025 waiver period opened on November 4, 2024, and the deadline was extended to January 17, 2025. Students should refer to the Waive Coverage page on the Augusta University website for the specific dates of the current semester.
• Accessing the Waiver Application: To access the online waiver application, students must be registered for classes, and the insurance premium must be posted to their student account for 24 to 96 business hours. Students will then receive an email with a link to the online waiver application, which will be sent to their school email address from [email protected].
• Completing the Waiver Application: The waiver application must be completed before the tuition and fees payment deadline. Students will need to log in using their Student ID number and date of birth. During the application process, students may be asked to provide additional information, and their coverage must be verified as active before approval. The waiver application must be for an ACA-compliant plan, and certain types of plans (such as Bridge, Gap, Monthly, and International) will not be accepted.
• Approval and Next Steps: If the waiver is approved, a credit will be placed on the student's POUNCE account within 5 business days. If the waiver is not approved or the student does not apply by the deadline, they must pay the insurance premium to avoid being dropped from their classes. Students with an approved waiver who lose their current insurance coverage during the semester should contact [email protected] to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan or provide information on their new private insurance policy.
• Using Student Health Services (SHS): It is important to note that even if students waive the Augusta University-SHIP, they can still use the Student Health Services (SHS). All enrolled Augusta University students are automatically billed a semester fee for SHS and can receive services. Active students between semesters and online students can also receive services for a fee.

Overall, the waiver application process at Augusta University is straightforward, but students must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, apply within the specified timeframe, and provide all the necessary information for approval.

Student Health Services

Augusta University offers three health care plans for students: Comprehensive Care Plan, Consumer Choice HSA Plan, and BlueChoiceHMO. The Student Health Services (SHS) clinic provides primary care services to students on campus. All enrolled students are automatically billed a semester fee for SHS and can receive services at the clinic. The Student Health Fee is $140 per semester, and some services are not covered by this fee. Additional fees are charged for medications, immunizations, laboratory services, diagnostic procedures, minor procedures, equipment, physical therapy visits, Pap visits, physicals, and travel consultations.

Students who are enrolled in the Augusta University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are required to maintain this insurance policy unless they have an approved waiver. Students with private insurance plans can waive the AU SHIP in favour of their own insurance, but they must complete the online waiver application prior to the tuition and fees payment deadline. Students with approved waivers who lose their insurance coverage during the semester can enrol in SHIP or provide information on their new private insurance plan.

Students enrolled in SHIP must use the Student Health Services clinic as their primary care provider and obtain a referral when they need outside medical attention. In the event of a medical emergency, students can go to the nearest medical facility for treatment, and a referral is not required. If a student is more than 30 miles away from campus, they are not required to go to the Student Health Clinic and may visit any provider, preferably an in-network provider.

The benefits package and schedule of benefits and exclusions for SHIP can be found on the UHCSR website.

Augusta University SHIP

Augusta University currently offers three health care plans: Comprehensive Care Plan, Consumer Choice HSA Plan, and BlueChoiceHMO. The university's health insurance plan (SHIP) is mandatory for some students, including undergraduate and graduate international students holding "F" or "J" visa status, graduate students receiving full-time tuition waivers, and graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in health science programs.

The Augusta University-SHIP is an annual policy billed in two installments (Fall and Spring/Summer). Students enrolled in the plan must use the Student Health Services (SHS) as their primary care provider and obtain a referral when they need outside medical attention. However, in the event of an emergency, students can go to the nearest medical facility, and a referral is not required.

The UHCSR website provides information on the benefit package, in-network providers, and exclusions for the Augusta University-SHIP. Students can also enroll outside the enrollment period by contacting Student Health Services.

Students have the option to waive the Augusta University-SHIP in favour of their own private insurance by completing an online waiver application. To be approved, the private insurance plan must meet certain requirements, including being ACA-compliant and providing unlimited maximum benefits for covered medical expenses.

The Student Health Fee, which is mandatory for all enrolled students, is separate from the Augusta University-SHIP and covers the cost of primary care services at the on-campus Student Health Clinic. This fee does not include coverage for medications, immunizations, laboratory services, and other additional fees.

Health Care Plans

Augusta University offers three health care plans for its students: Comprehensive Care Plan, Consumer Choice HSA Plan, and BlueChoiceHMO. The Comprehensive Care Plan provides coverage based on in-network and out-of-network services. It has higher premiums and lower deductibles compared to the Consumer Choice HSA Plan. The Consumer Choice HSA Plan is a federally qualified HDHP plan, which is compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSA). This plan offers lower premiums and higher deductibles than the Comprehensive Care Plan. It provides coverage based on in-network and out-of-network services, with in-network services resulting in lower out-of-pocket expenses. The BlueChoice Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan is a comprehensive program that provides primary and referral healthcare services. Those enrolled in this plan are required to select a primary care physician (PCP) from the HMO network, who will coordinate and refer to a network specialist if needed.

Students at Augusta University are charged a mandatory health fee every semester, which is currently $140. This fee allows the on-campus Student Health Clinic to provide primary care services to students. However, paying this fee does not mean that a student is covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Certain services are not covered by the Student Health Fee, and additional fees are charged for medications, immunizations, laboratory services, diagnostic procedures, minor procedures, equipment, physical therapy visits, Pap visits, physicals, and travel consultations.

Augusta University requires certain groups of students to have health insurance. These include undergraduate and graduate international students with specific visa statuses, graduate students receiving tuition waivers or fully-funded fellowships, and students enrolled in programs that require proof of health insurance or participate in collegiate sports. Students who already have health insurance and wish to continue with their current plan must complete a waiver form during the specified period each semester. Students can also waive the AU SHIP in favour of their own private insurance plan.

Frequently asked questions