International Student Health Insurance

International Student Sickness and Accident Health Insurance 2012-2013

Dates of coverage: 

For new Spring 2013 students:  January 23, 2013 - August 22, 2013

For New Summer 2013 students:  May 21, 2013 – August 21, 2013

(with extended coverage beginning 30 days prior to the start date 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

2012 - 2013 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 May 21, 2013 to August 22, 2013, with extended coverage beginning 30 days prior to the start date!  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 visits

• 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:  $1236 with coverage dates from August 23, 2012 to August 22, 2013

• Students’ OASIS accounts will automatically be billed in two equal installments of $618.00 for the Fall 2012 (Aug. 23-Feb. 22) and Spring 2013 (Feb. 23 – Aug. 22) 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 2013:  January 23, 2013 – August 22, 2013
  • premium is $721
  • premium for student and spouse/dependent:  $3,045.

• New students starting Summer 2013: 
  • Premium:  $313
  • Premium for student and spouse/dependent:  $1320

When to Pay

• Payment for the Spring 2013 semester is due by Friday, February 15, 2013
• Payment for the Summer 2013 semester is due by Friday, June 7, 2013

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, you must apply for an insurance waiver.  There is no application, but you must provide the following information.  Please note that an application for an insurance waiver is not automatically approved.  You will be notified by email if your waiver has been approved or denied. 

• Provide an “Explanation of Benefits” of your insurance coverage.  This must include
  • Dates of coverage
  • Benefits provided
• Policy and “Explanation of Benefits” must be in English.
• The waiver petition and supporting information must be submitted to the Office of International Student Affairs by the deadline indicated below!

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

 

Waiver deadlines:

• Spring 2013 semester:  Friday, February 8, 2013
• Summer 2013 semester:  Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Columbia College Chicago Office Of International Student Affairs

SUMMER VACATION POLICY

During the summer, F-1 immigration regulations allow students who qualify to take a break from their studies.  The regulations see this as an annual vacation and consider the student to be maintaining status even though he or she is not actually registered for classes or is registered for less than full time.  No special permission  is needed to be below full time during this time if he/she qualifies to take summer vacation.

Summer Vacation Qualifications

Students who begin their studies in the Fall semester must complete both the Fall and Spring semesters before qualifying for summer vacation.  Students admitted to Auburn for the Spring semester, however, must only complete the Spring semester before qualifying for summer vacation.  Students who are admitted to begin studies during the Summer term do not qualify for a summer vacation when they arrive since they are required to begin their studies during the semester for which they were admitted and must be full time.

As per immigration regulations, students who desire to take summer vacation must be eligible (not suspended) and intend** to register for a full course of study the next term (Fall) or be approved ahead of time by OISA to be enrolled in less than a full course of study.  If your I-20 will expire in the summer, but you intend to be enrolled in the Fall, then you must apply for an extension prior to the start of the summer term to qualify for summer vacation.

**NOTE:  The clearest evidence of intent to register is to enroll in advance for the term indicated or having a letter or document that demonstrates that you intend to begin a new program.

Vacation Term Restrictions

At Columbia College Chicago, the summer semester (mid-May through mid-August) is recognized officially as the vacation term.  As such, for immigration purposes, no other terms can be designated as one’s vacation term.  An F-1 student may NOT take annual vacation during the Fall or Spring semester, even if the student has chosen or is otherwise required to take classes during the summer term.

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.