Rhode Island College
Student Health Insurance Plan

2017-2018 Policy Year
Health Insurance Information
(Waiver and Enrollment Procedure)

Rhode Island College is pleased to make available a Student Health Insurance Program for its students. A summary describing the benefits of this plan can be found on the left-hand side of this page.

Undergraduate Students:

All undergraduate degree students, pre-registered for nine (9) or more credit hours at the end of the initial Fall (July 12, 2017) or Spring (December 5, 2017) billing periods are automatically enrolled in this plan, and the cost of the insurance will be included on your tuition bill. If the insurance cost is not included on your bill, you are not automatically enrolled. If you are currently insured under another comprehensive, comparable policy and do not wish to have coverage under the college plan, you may submit a waiver form to opt out of the program.

To Waive the College Health Insurance

  1. Visit www.universityhealthplans.com
  2. Click on "Rhode Island College".
  3. Click on "Waiver Form". You can waive the insurance for either the Fall Semester or for the entire year by selecting the correct option.
  4. Fill in all the required information – if any information is missing, your waiver will NOT be accepted.
  5. Submit the Waiver Form. Within a few minutes after completing the waiver process, you will receive an email response indicating whether your form was submitted successfully or not. Be sure to print the confirmation for your records, as this is the only documentation indicating that the form was submitted. If the form is not submitted successfully, fill it out again and resubmit. If it still is not submitted successfully, contact University Health Plans via email (click on icon at bottom of webpage), at 1-800-437-6448 or (617) 472-5324.

FAILURE TO COMPLETE the on-line Waiver Form by the Fall 2017 deadline, September 21, 2017 will result in your mandatory purchase of the College’s Student Health Insurance Plan for the Fall 2017 Semester, without the possibility of later waiver, refund or cancellation.

Please Note: If your status changes and you drop a course and go below 9 credit hours after initially registering for 9 or more credits and you do not want the insurance, you must be sure to waive out of the insurance plan prior to the deadline date.

Students who become registered for 9 or more credits after the initial Fall or Spring tuition billing will NOT be assessed the insurance coverage charge. They may add coverage by enrolling on-line (link on left hand side of this page). Enrollment would need to take place by the Fall Semester deadline date of September 21, 2017 or Spring Semester deadline date, February 19, 2018.

To assist you in making an informed decision regarding your health insurance needs, here are some general questions to ask your current health plan to ensure that it provides adequate coverage:

  • Does your current health plan provide coverage while in the Providence area? Many HMO and out-of-state Medicaid plans provide coverage for Emergency Treatment only, while out-of-area.
  • Will your current health plan provide coverage as long as you are registered at Rhode Island College? Most employer plans drop dependents at a certain age or if a parent has a job change.
  • Does your current health plan provide coverage anywhere in the world, including medical evacuation and repatriation benefits? Many employer-sponsored plans will only provide coverage while in the United States, and most do not include any medical evacuation or repatriation benefits.
  • Does your current health plan include a nationwide network of Preferred Providers, guaranteeing acceptance of your insurance plan, and reducing your out-of-pocket expenses? Many employer-sponsored plans are managed-care type plans, with a regionally based preferred provider network.
  • Does your current health plan include Prescription Drug coverage, and a nationwide network of member pharmacies? Many employer sponsored plans do not provide prescription drug coverage, or only very limited benefits available at certain local pharmacies.

While many of your health issues can be met by Rhode Island College Student Health Services, there are times when outside specialists or additional consultation is warranted. At such times, the Student  Health Insurance Plan sponsored by Rhode Island College provides coverage worldwide and allows students to seek care from any licensed provider. Students also have access to a nationwide Preferred Provider Network, as well as a national network of member pharmacies.

When students use a Preferred Provider, their out-of-pocket expenses will be limited as their coinsurance expenses are based on negotiated Preferred Provider fees. The Plan provides coverage for eligible expenses relating to a covered injury or sickness including diagnostic testing, lab and x-ray services, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.

International Students:
All international students are required to carry insurance and are automatically enrolled in the College’s Student Health Insurance Plan, and may not waive out of it.

Part-Time (less than 9 credits), non-degree and Graduate Students:
Part-time, non-degree and graduate students carrying a minimum of six (6) credit hours are encouraged to enroll in the Rhode Island College Student Health Insurance Plan. To purchase coverage, you may enroll on-line at www.universityhealthplans.com, and click on “Rhode Island College” and then “Voluntary Enrollment Form”. You may enroll on-line and pay by credit card, or you may download the application and mail it in with a check for payment. Please note that the enrollment deadline date for Fall Semester is September 21, 2017 and no enrollment will be accepted after this date.

Optional Plans:  Information about voluntary dental, vision and property insurance is available in the navigation menu under “Optional Plans”.

If you have any questions regarding this policy and its terms, please contact University Health Plans, Inc. at 1-800-437-6448.