International Student Health Insurance

International Student Sickness and Accident Health Insurance 2011-2012

Dates of coverage: August 25, 2011 - August 24, 2012 with extended coverage beginning July 26, 2011 to cover you while you travel!

In an effort to provide quality health insurance at an affordable cost to Columbia College Chicago’s international students and scholars, the Office of International Student Affairs is pleased to announce that the college is offering an International Student Sickness and Accident Plan by the Lewer Agency.

Health care in the U.S. can be quite complicated and costly. A major accident or illness can create related expenses of $10,000 - $100,000 very quickly and very easily. If you do not have medical insurance to help cover some of the costs, you will be required to pay for these expenses.

With this in mind, Columbia College Chicago implemented a mandatory health insurance coverage requirement in the Fall 2001 semester. All international students are automatically enrolled in the insurance plan. Insurance coverage for family members is available at an additional cost through enrollment at the Office of International Student Affairs. If you currently have insurance from your home country, you may apply for an insurance waiver. Submitting a waiver does not mean that it will be approved. You will be notified by email if your waiver has been approved or denied.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of International Student Affairs at your earliest convenience.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy semester!

Office of International Student Affairs

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE 2011 - 2012 Academic Year
Being sick or injured away from home can be a stressful experience and more so if students don't understand their health care options. Health care in the United States is very different from what you may be used to back home. For one thing, costs related to health care are expensive. Illnesses and accidents are always unexpected. There are basically two options to cover health care costs for college students: the LewerMark Sickness and Accident Plan designed by Lewer Agency, Inc. for Columbia College Chicago's international students, or your family/personal health plan.

The LewerMark Sickness and Accident Plan provides coverage from August 25, 2011 to August 24, 2011, with extended coverage beginning July 26, 2010! Lewer’s Extended Coverage policy automatically provides coverage up to 30 days in advance to newly enrolled students and 30 days following the completion of educational program or graduation, as long as the student remains in the United States.

Please click here to access information about the International Student Health Insurance Health Plan for Academic Year 2011-2012:

Highlights of the plan include:

$100,000 Maximum Benefit per condition
$0 Deductible per policy year
Trustmark Group Benefits – CIGNA PPO Network - 100% In Network; 80% Out-of-Network Co-Insurance
Co-Payments- $15
Physician, mental health; substance abuse, chiropractic; physical therapy; acupuncture; and occupational therapy visit
Annual Out of Pocket Maximum - $2,000
Physical Exam/Wellness Women’s Wellness exam – 100% after co-pay
Prescription Drug Benefit through Express Scripts – reimbursed up to 50% - no annual limit per policy year
Careington Dental and Vision Benefit – provides a discount network for dental and vision services. (Separate membership cards will be provided)

Regardless of your insurance plan, we are here to help you understand and utilize your policy. Remember to carry your insurance identification card with you at all times. If you do not present a valid health insurance I.D. card at a doctor's office, you will be expected to pay in full, at the time of service. Your insurance I.D. card is just as important to you as your school I.D. card, or driver's license. Get into the habit of keeping it with you.

Plan Costs and Dates

Annual premium: $1200 with coverage dates from August 25, 2011 to August 24, 2012

Students’ OASIS accounts will automatically be billed in two equal installments of $600.00 for the Fall 2011 (Aug. 25-Feb. 24) and Spring 2012 (Feb. 25 – Aug. 24) academic terms. Students will be automatically enrolled for the insurance unless a waiver form has been submitted to and approved by the Office of International Student Affairs before the waiver deadlines!
New students starting Spring 2012: premium is $707, for coverage from January 23, 2012 through August 24, 2012.
New students Summer 2012 (only): premium is $ 314 for coverage from May 21, 2012 through August 24, 2012.

When to Pay

Payment for the Fall 2011 semester is due by Friday, September 23, 2011
Payment for the Spring 2012 semester is due by Friday, February 12, 2012
Payment for the Summer 2012 semester is due by Friday, June 8, 2012

How to Pay
There are two ways to make your insurance payment.

In person: Bring a check or money order made payable to “Columbia College Chicago” to the Cashier’s Window located on the 3rd floor of the 600 S. Michigan Avenue building. Be sure to write your OASIS number on the check, and indicate that it is a payment for “International Student Health Insurance.” Keep the receipt for your records.

Online: Visit the Student Financial Services http://www.colum.edu/Student_Financial_Services/index.php website for payment information. Note: Insurance payments made by credit card can only be paid through CCCPay. Credit card use on CCCPay is limited to MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Petition for a Waiver

If you do not want to be enrolled in the health insurance plan, then you must petition for a waiver. You must apply for a “Waiver” for EVERY SEMESTER that you do not want to be enrolled in the health insurance plan.

You must provide proof that your coverage is comparable to LewerMark’s plan, i.e. dates of coverage, benefits provided, etc. You can do this by providing an “Explanation of Benefits”
Your policy and “Explanation of Benefits”, must be in English.
The insurance company providing the coverage must have a US contact.
The waiver petition and supporting information must be submitted to the Office of International Student Affairs no later than the deadlines indicated below!

Waivers must be approved to avoid being charged for the insurance.

Waiver deadlines:

Fall 2011 semester: Friday, September 16, 2011
Spring 2012 semester: Friday, February 3, 2012
Summer 2012 semester: Friday, June 1, 2012

Questions?
All questions regarding the International Student Insurance should be directed to the Office of International Student Affairs at (312) 369-7458, by fax: (312) 369-8465 or via email: gposejpal@colum.edu.