For the 2008-2009 academic year the University will again have one health insurance plan, provided by Aetna Student Health (formerly Chickering).  Some changes to the plan have been implemented, effective 1 September 2008.  They include a maximum deductible of $250 (down from $1,000 the previous year).  There is also a 20% co-payment, to a maximum out of pocket of $1,000 (not including the deductible).  Neither the deductible nor the co-payment provision applies to prescriptions or mental health care.  The deductible, but not the co-payment, is waved for well woman care obtained outside the Northwestern health service.  Newborns receive four well baby visits per year.  The total cost for the policy, from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009, is $2,360.

Additional information regarding the health plan and instructions for new students to enroll is available on the Health Insurance page.

TGS will continue to provide health insurance subsidies to graduate school students.  All PhD and MFA students will, in some manner, have the cost of their health insurance plans covered 100%.  Certain master’s students will receive a 50% subsidization, others 65%.  Each student should ask his or her Director of Graduate Studies for further information regarding the specific subsidy rate.