Insurance FAQ
Health care in the United States is not nationalized or socialized. U.S healthcare is mostly a private industry. Therefore, it’s very expensive. A one-night stay in the hospital for a routine surgery could cost $30,000, and a simple office visit could cost $300.
You may purchase supplemental travel insurance or emergency medical insurance online if you wish. However, be advised, it will not meet standards required by the Board of Regents and cannot be substituted for the required medical insurance.
The University of Georgia is currently under contract with United Health Care to provide medical insurance for international students.
Yes. The SHIP (Student Health Insurance Program) policy brochure and waiver form for CSU mandatory students are located here.
If you choose to purchase the SHIP plan and pay the invoiced amount on your Clayton State student account you must Accept/Verify Enrollment.
The cost of insurance varies per semester. Please check with the Clayton State's Bursar Office to determine the amount owed for the term.
Please visit the Bursar Payment Website to determine the best mode for making payments to Clayton State University and how to make your payments online.
International Students should also consider visiting the International Payments Website. Please speak with the Bursar office if you have any questions.
International Students must pay the associated fees to the Bursar office for any/and all fees by the semester deadlines in order to remain in status with SEVIS. These dates will vary from semester-to-semester but will primarily be due the first week of classes before the ADD/DROP deadline.
See the Academic Calendar and select the appropriate term to learn more or reach out to the Bursar office to seek guidance on your bill due date.
Please view the “policy brochure”.
Enrollment in the plan is automatic when you are accepted. The charge for the remainder of the year (fall, spring, summer) will be added to your account.
Yes, your insurance card will be mailed to your US address directly from United Healthcare after open-enrollment ends.
Yes. You have coverage even without a card. If you need a doctor before your card arrives, enroll at United Healthcare’s website and print a temporary card.
USG SHIP Benefits
|
Annual Individual Deductible: |
$500 |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Coinsurance Percentage: |
80% |
|
|
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: |
$6,350 |
|
|
Non-SHC Office Visit Copays: (PCP/Specialist) |
$20/$20 |
|
|
Prescription Drug Copays: |
$25/$50/$75 |
|
|
Lifetime Benefit Limit: |
Unlimited |
|
|
Annual Premiums |
Mandatory Enrollment |
Voluntary Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
|
Student only |
$2,417 | $3,388 |
|
Spouse |
$2,659 | $3,727 |
|
Child |
$2,659 | $3,727 |
|
All Children |
$5,318 | $7,455 |
|
All Dependents |
$7,977 |
$11,181 |
No. Your spouse or any children accompanying you must also be covered, under Department of State regulations. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the termination of your DS-2019, which makes you unlawfully present.
Students with comparable insurance can request to waive the insurance requirement through an online process at the United Healthcare Clayton State portal. A comparable plan must meet the minimum requirements of the USG BOR. To meet the waiver requirements, please refer here.
If you still feel your own plan meets the requirements of the USG BOR, you may appeal. You are covered during the appeal process: 1st denial: appeal by submitting another waiver via the same process. 2nd denial: appeal in writing via email to United Healthcare at: verification@uhcsr.com. This appeal will be forwarded to the BOR.
Deadlines will be announced by ISS prior to each semester.
Enrollment is NOT automatic because it is not required. However, ISS strongly urges to you to maintain coverage. You may enroll in the plan as a “voluntary” participant for the months you need. There may be no on / off gaps in your coverage. Create an account at the Clayton State United Healthcare portal. See #3 above. From there you can enroll for coverage and set-up payment.
After creating your account at the United Healthcare site, you can enroll and pay for your dependent(s). See #3 above.
As with most insurance plans, your doctor or hospital files a claim with the insurance company for you after you receive treatment. This claim is reviewed and if the treatment is covered, they will make payments to your doctor or hospital. Most insurance companies do not cover 100 percent, so you will most likely receive a bill from the doctor or hospital for the portion of expenses that were not covered.
Looking For a Doctor
You can do a comprehensive search for doctors and facilities by going to the insurance company's website. You can also call the number listed on your insurance card to see if a provider is part of your plan. It is important to check this before going or you may be responsible for all or a larger portion of the charges.
All plans require that you print your insurance card (or have on phone) in order to receive care at a medical facility.
After you have enrolled in one of the plans, you will need to log in to your account and follow instructions to print your insurance card.
Print the card and carry it with you at all times or save a copy to your phone!
You should review the web site thoroughly to find out the best way to use your health care coverage. You will want to see an "In-Network" provider rather than an "Out-of-Network" provider to obtain the best coverage. These terms are explained below.
Claim - A written request for payment by the insurance company of medical expenses that are covered under an insurance policy.
Co-payment - After the deductible is paid, this is the amount of covered expense that must be paid by the insured individual. For example, you might have to pay a $20 co-payment each time you see a doctor.
Deductible - The portion of a covered expense that must be paid by the insured person before the insurance company pays its portion of the expense.
Exclusion - Any condition or expense for which, under the terms of the policy, no coverage is provided and no payment will be made.
Insurance Premium - The amount of money you have to pay to get coverage with an insurance company for a set period of time.
Provider - the medical facility that is providing your care.
In-Network provider - an in-network provider is a medical doctor or facility that has a negotiated rate with your insurance provider and is part of your insurance plan.
Out-of-Network - if the provider is not part of your plan then they are called out of network and you will incur more or all of the costs to go to one of these providers.