2007 - 2008 Student Health Insurance Plan Brochure

Northwestern University requires all full-time students to maintain health insurance that meets University’s standards. This requirement is designed to protect students from extraordinary medical expenses that could result from an injury or illness. For those students who do not have minimally acceptable health insurance through an outside source, the University has contracted with the Chickering Group for the 2007-2008 academic year.

New Plan Structure for 2007 - 2008

Chickering is offering a plan that costs $2,088 for the academic year (9/1/2007– 8/31/2008). The plan affords coverage to a limit of $500,000 per policy year with the following benefits at in-network facilities/providers:

(Please note that the Chickering Insurance Plan is referral based. Students should make an appointment to obtain a referral from Student Health Services before visiting specialists to avoid a $250 non referral penalty.)

The student pays a $1,000 up-front deductible for the services described above.

For the following benefits, the $1,000 deductible does NOT apply:

How to Enroll in a Chickering Plan

New full time students are required to complete the online Coverage Selection Form (CSF) to either elect or decline the insurance that Northwestern University offers through the Chickening Benefit Planning Insurance Agency. Please see the Insurance Coverage Selection Form and Plan brochure for details. You can access both documents by logging on to your CAESAR account using your Northwestern University Net I.D. From the Enterprise Menu on the left, select For Students • Enrollment • Health Coverage Plan. If you are unable to access the documents using this step try, For Applicants • Health Coverage Plan.

Returning students who were enrolled in a Chickering Plan for the 2006 – 2007 academic year and wish to enroll for the 2007– 2008 academic year do not need to do anything. Your enrollment will be automatic and you will be billed through your student account during the August, 2007 billing cycle.

Returning students who were not enrolled in the Chickering Plan for the 2006 – 2007 academic year and wish to enroll in the Chickering Plan for the 2007 – 2008 academic year must also complete a CSF through their CAESAR account as described above..

Waiving the Chickering Plan

Returning students who waived the Chickering Plan by providing proof of alternative insurance coverage meeting University standards for the 2006 – 2007 academic year and wish to continue their waiver status for the 2007 – 2008 academic year need do nothing. The waiver will roll over automatically.

Returning students who were enrolled in the Chickering Plan for the 2006 – 2007 academic year and wish to waive Chickering coverage for the 2007 – 2008 academic year must complete a CSF through their CAESAR account and attaest to proof of coverage that meets University standards.

In order to meet University standards, alternative coverage must do the following:

• Provide a minimum of $250,000 in coverage per year
• Have a maximum $2,000 deductible
• Provide mental health benefits including 24 outpatient visits and $25,000 for inpatient care per year
• NOT exclude pre-existing conditions.

HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DOES NOT MEET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE COVERAGE MEETING UNIVERSITY STANDARDS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES.

Part-time Students

Part-time, Half-time, School of Continuing Studies students, and students from Garrett Evangelical Seminary and Seabury Western Seminary can enroll in the insurance on a voluntary basis. Part time students must go to the Insurance Office located at 633 Emerson Street to apply for the insurance. These students may apply by completing a part-time application which should be submitted with payment via check.

Dependent Coverage

For policy information and the dependent insurance application, please refer to the Chickering web site at http://www.chickering.com, click on "Student Connection" and enter Northwestern University or 812845 under "Find Your School." Dependent Health and Dental Insurance is handled by the Chickering Group.

Timetable/Important Dates

Students who were not enrolled in the Chickering Plan during the 2006 – 2007 academic year and want to enroll in the 2007 – 2008 Chickering Plan should complete their CSF through CAESAR as soon as possible after receipt and review of information packets. Students who complete CSFs by August 1, 2007 will receive their Chickering ID cards prior to their return to campus for Fall, 2007 classes. (Remember, students already enrolled in the Chickering Plan for the 2006 – 2007 academic year who wish to enroll in the Chickering Plan for the 2007 – 2008 academic year do not need to complete the CSF as they will automatically be enrolled).

The most important date for full-time students to remember is October 19th.

All full-time students who have not either (1) enrolled in a Chickering Plan or (2) completed a Coverage Selection Form waiving the Chickering Plan meeting the University standards will be enrolled in the Chickering Plan on October 19, 2007 and will be billed for such coverage during the November, 2007 student billing cycle. There will be no appeals granted after October 19, 2007.

Resources

Wendy Weaver and Sharon Hoyer from the Insurance Office is available to meet with any student or student group seeking further information about health insurance. They can be reached at (847) 491-2113 or w-weaver@northwestern.edu or s-hoyer@northwestern.edu.

Chickering’s Customer Service department is also available Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:30 ET. Their toll free line is 877-626-2314. Detailed Plan information will be on-line at Chickering’s Student Connection at www.chickering.com during the summer.

2007 - 2008 Student Health Insurance Plan Brochure - Adobe Reader Format (.pdf)

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