Health Insurance Subsidy
Beginning in the year 2008, representatives of the Drexel University’s Graduate Student Association and the Office of the Provost worked collaboratively to design a health insurance subsidy program specifically for some Drexel University doctoral students. In keeping with best practices, Drexel will defray in part or whole the premiums for the university-offered Aetna Health insurance program to all Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Graduate Assistants and Graduate Research Fellows enrolled on a full time basis.
Students whose appointments already provide health coverage in their compensation packages are not eligible as are those who choose to use any plan other than that offered by the University.
Qualifications for the subsidy include:
1. Full time academic enrollment.
2. A qualified Assistantship Appointment. These include:
- TA-Teaching Assistant
- RA- Research Assistant
- GA- Graduate Assistant
Full time assistantship appointment terms (20 hours per week for at least 3 quarter of the academic year) will qualify for a full subsidy of the Drexel University Blue Plan. Subsidies up to the cost of the Blue Plan will be provided to those who meet the above requirements and elect the Drexel University Gold Plan coverage.
Any full time graduate student who works less than the 3 quarters in the academic year or works less than the required full workload will receive a prorated subsidy. The prorated subsidy is equal to the percentage of work hours and/or length of appointment. Example, a 12 month appointment, with 10 hours per week workload is equal to 50% subsidy.
The terms of an appointment assistantship can affect the amount of subsidy received.
A full time graduate student whose assistantship extends over less than the 3 quarters in the academic year or whose assistantship is less than the required full workload (20 hrs per week) will receive a prorated subsidy. The prorated subsidy is equal to the percentage of work hours and/or length of appointment. Example, a 12 month appointment, with 10 hours per week workload is equal to 50% subsidy.
NOTE: Any student who wishes to add dependents to their coverage and/or choose the Drexel University Gold Plan, may opt for the Payroll Deduction Plan to cover any remaining balances. These students should visit the Graduate Studies Office, 3141 Chestnut Street, Rm. 240, for further information. Dependents are not eligible for the subsidy.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE STUDENT HEALTH SUBSIDY
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT PERIOD
The Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations has set a deadline of SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 for any student interested in waiving or enrolling in a Drexel sponsored plan.
ANY STUDENT WHO DOES NOT EITHER ENROLL OR WAIVE BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 WILL BE BY DEFAULT ENROLLED INTO THE BLUE PLAN FOR THE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR. A CHARGE OF $1,113.00 WILL BE PLACED ON THE STUDENT BILL. ONCE THIS CHARGE IS PLACED AND THE STUDENT IS ENROLLED IN THE PLAN IT CANNOT BE CANCELLED FOR THE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR. THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREMIUM AMOUNT.
STUDENT HEALTH SUBSIDY APPLICATION PERIOD
Open Enrollment for the Student Health Subsidy begins during the first week of September* and closes during the second week of Fall Quarter (for the Academic year 2009-2010, the close date is October 2, 2009)
*exceptions are granted to students who are expected to enroll in the Winter Quarter and have been identified as being eligible by their academic department. Each academic department is responsible for notifying The Office of Graduate Studies of a candidate’s anticipated eligibility, this includes providing a tentative appointment letter during the open enrollment period
Applying for the Student Health Subsidy
- Students identified by their Academic Departments as being eligible for the subsidy are required to submit an online insurance application via The Drexel University Student Health Insurance Portal no later than September 30, 2009** **SEE STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT PERIOD ABOVE.
- A copy of a Student Appointment/Renewal Letter (with appropriate signatures) for the current academic year must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies no later than the end of second week of the Fall Quarter (October 2, 2009). The appointment letter must include:
- Student Name
- Health Plan Elected
- NOTE: Each plan is specific to the Campus in which the student is enrolled. i.e. Main Campus vs. Hahnemann Campus (Center City).
MC-Blue - Main Campus
MC Gold - Main Campus
CC Blue - Center City
CC Gold - Center City
- Term of appointment (Academic Year and term 12 month, 9 month appt etc)
- Amount of stipend awarded for the appointment term
- Appointment responsibilities (TA, RA, GA etc) and expected time commitment to each.
Example: Expected responsibilities include 50% Teaching Assistant and 50% Research Assistant responsibilities. If responsibilities span classifications (TA, RA or GA), each appointment must be at minimum 50%. No other variations of this formula will be accepted
CONFIRMATION OF ENROLLMENT IN THE STUDENT HEALTH SUBSIDY
Upon verification of enrollment status and submitted documentation, a confirmation of enrollment in the subsidy program and the amount of the subsidy awarded will be sent to students during the 3rd week of the Fall Quarter.