Questions and Answers

• Does the $250 deductible mean that I need to spend $250 "out of pocket" before NU's health insurance plan pays 80% of my medical expenses?
• If I wish to opt out of NU's health insurance plan, what are the requirements for the insurance plan I choose?
• I do not want health insurance through the NU plan. Where can I obtain affordable health insurance for myself?
• If I am a returning NU student, enrolled in last year's NU Plan and wish to continue the health insurance plan, what do I need to do?
• If I am a returning NU student, enrolled in last year's NU Plan and wish to discontinue my enrollment in the NU Plan, what should I do?
• If I am a returning NU student, enrolled in an external plan last year and wish to enroll in the NU Plan this year, what should I do?
• If I am registered for TGS 512, do I have to obtain health insurance?
• If I am a returning graduate student registered for TGS 512, will I automatically be enrolled in the NU health insurance plan?
• If I am registered for TGS 513, do I have to obtain health insurance?
• Does NU's health insurance cover dependents?
• I am enrolled through the NU health plan, but I do not want to enroll my dependents through the plan. What are my options for my dependents?
• Does the NU health insurance plan cover visits to Student Health Services?
• Does the NU health insurance plan cover behavioral health?
• Where can I find more information about the NU health insurance plan?
• If I am enrolled in the NU health plan, do I need to do anything more to obtain the subsidy?
• How do I know the subsidy amount I receive for health insurance?
• When will the subsidy be applied to my account?
• How do I pay the balance after the health subsidy has been paid?
• What do I do if my department pays the balance of the subsidy?
• Does the completion of the Payroll Deduction Authorization form automatically enroll me in the Northwestern University Health Insurance Plan?
• Is the health insurance payroll deduction available for September after the September 7th deadline?
• Do I have any other payment options?
• Does the completion of the Payroll Deduction Authorization Form automatically grant me housing?
• If I am enrolled in the NU health plan and I graduate or leave the University before the end of the academic year, what are my options concerning the NU health plan?

Q.  Does the $250 deductible mean that I need to spend $250 "out of pocket" before NU's health insurance plan pays 80% of my medical expenses?

A.  Yes.  Once your deductible is met, benefits are paid according to the provisions of the plan. The $250 deductible does not apply to prescriptions, behavioral health, the well-women annual visit, and well-baby visits.

Q.  If I wish to opt out of NU's health insurance plan, what are the requirements for the insurance plan I choose?

A.  The plan must provide:

• A minimum of $250,000/year in coverage
• An annual deductible must not exceed $1000
• Coverage for inpatient and outpatient services anywhere in the U.S.
• Coverage for inpatient and outpatient mental health services
• Includes coverage for pre-existing conditions

Q. I do not want health insurance through the NU plan. Where can I obtain affordable health insurance for myself?

A. If you do not want health coverage through NU, there are many outside agencies you may investigage. The plan must be comparable to the plan offered by Northwestern. One place you may wish to review is the health insurance plan offered by the State of Illinois: http://www.allkidscovered.com

Q.  If I am a returning NU student, enrolled in last year's NU Plan and wish to continue the health insurance plan, what do I need to do?

A.  If you are a returning student who enrolled in the NU Plan for academic year 2007/2008 and wish to stay enrolled in the NU Plan for the 2008-2009 academic year, you do not need to do anything. You will be automatically re-enrolled in the plan when you register for classes.

Q. If I am a returning NU student, enrolled in last year's NU Plan and wish to discontinue my enrollment in the NU Plan, what should I do?

A. Change your status on your Online Coverage Selection Form, available on Caesar from July 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008. Log on to Caesar www.northwestern.edu/caesar, select "For Students", "Enrollment", "Health Coverage Plan", then select "Option 2" to waive the plan. Click "Submit". You will receive a confirmation email that your Online Coverage Selection Form has been processed. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact the Student Insurance Office at 847-491-2113 on the Evanston Campus and 312-503-1242 on the Chicago Campus. 

Q. If I am a returning NU student, enrolled in an external health plan last year and wish to enroll in the NU Plan this year, what should I do?

A. Change your status on your Online Coverage Selection Form, available on Caesar from July 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008. Log on to Caesar www.northwestern.edu/caesar, select "For Students", "Enrollment", "Health Coverage Plan", then select "Option 1" to enroll in the NU Plan. Click "Submit". You will receive a confirmation email that your Online Coverage Selection Form has been processed. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact the Student Insurance Office at 847-491-2113 on the Evanston Campus and 312-503-1242 on the Chicago Campus. 

Q.  If I am registered for TGS 512 do I have to obtain health insurance?

A.  Yes.  Students registered for TGS 512 must either enroll in the NU health insurance plan or obtain comparable health insurance that meets the criteria listed on the Health Insurance web page.

Q.  If I am a returning  graduate student registered for TGS 512, will I automatically be enrolled in the NU health insurance plan?

A.  No.  Graduate students  registered for TGS 512 need to enroll in the NU health insurance plan or one that provides comparable coverage.  If you enroll in the NU health insurance plan, you will need to pay the full amount at the time of billing.

Q. If I am registered for TGS 513, do I have to obtain health insurance?

A. If you wish to enroll in the NU Plan, you must complete a part-time student application form in person at the Insurance Office located at 633 Emerson Street, Evanston, IL.  Payments must be made at the time of application submission. 

Q.  Does NU's  health insurance cover dependents?

A.  No.  Graduate students may apply for health insurance for their dependents directly through Aetna Student Health.  The application for dependents can be found on Aetna's website at www.aetnastudenthealth.com. Information for the 2008/2009 health plan will be available after June 30, 2008.

Q. I am enrolled through the NU health plan, but I do not want to enroll my dependents through the NU plan. What are my options for my dependents?

A. There are many outside agencies you may investigate. One place you may wish to review is the State of Illinois site at http://www.allkidscovered.com

Q.  Does the NU health insurance plan cover visits to Student Health Services?

A.  All registered full-time students, regardless of their health insurance plan, may use Student Health Services at no cost.  Doctors' or nurses' visits to Student Health Services (http://www.nuhs.northwestern.edu/index.html) and some lab tests are free.  For students who participate in the NU plan, lab tests that are not free are billed directly to Aetna.  The deductible and co-payment requirements are waived.  For more information, please see the health plan brochure at the website: www.aetnastudenthealth.com after June 30, 2008.

Q.  Does the NU health insurance plan cover behavioral health?

A.  Yes.  All visits to counseling services are free to all students at the Student Health Service.  The insurance requirements apply when a student is referred to counseling outside of the Student Health Service.  Counseling service visits outside of the university are covered at 75% of the cost.  Students are responsible for the remaining 25%.  For futher information, students should read the health plan brochure outlining plan benefits at the Aetna Student Health website www.aetnastudenthealth.com (available after June 30, 2008).  Questions may also be addressed to the Insurance Office at (847) 491-4134 or (847) 491-2114 on the Evanston Campus and at 312-503-1242 on the Chicago Campus.

Q.  Where can I find more information about the NU health insurance plan?

A.  A complete brochure, regarding the health insurance program may be found at: http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com.  Go to "Students".  This will direct you to the "Student Connection" page.  Click " Find Your School" and either type in "Northwestern University" or enter "812845" as the policy number and click "Search".  Northwestern University should appear.  Click on the menu at the left of the page "Benefits Details".  Click "2008-2009 Brochure" (available after June 30, 2008).   

Q.  If I am enrolled in the NU health plan, do I need to do anything more to obtain the subsidy?

A.  No.

Q.  How do I know the subsidy amount I receive for health insurance?

A.  Health insurance subsidies vary by individual academic program.  Please speak with your Director of Graduate Studies to find out your subsidy amount.

Q.  When will the subsidy be applied to my account?

A.  Those enrolled in the health insurance plan by the October 1st deadline should have the subsidy applied to their account by the October 10th billing date and no later than the November 10th billing date.

Q.  How do I pay the balance after the health subsidy has been paid?

A.  You can pay the balace through Caesar at www.northwestern.edu/caesar  or you can complete the Payroll Deduction Authorization Form for either  9 months or 12 months. To pay through Caesar, login to Caesar and go to "Student Center. " Under "Financial Services," select "View E-bill and E-payment." If you are completing the payroll deduction form, students based at the Evanston campus should submit the form to the Office of Student Accounts located at 555 Clark Street, Evanston, ILL 60208-1221.  Students based at the Chicago campus should submit the form to the Office of Student Accounts, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, #120, Chicago, IL 60611. 

Q.  What do I do if my department pays the balance of the subsidy?

A.  You do not need to do anything.

Q. Does the completion of the Payroll Deduction Authorization form automatically enroll me in the Northwestern University Health Insurance Plan?

A. No.  All new students must complete the online Coverage Selection Form (CSF) no later than October 1, 2008.  The form is located at www.northwestern.edu/caesar.  New students who miss the deadline for completion will automatically be enrolled in the university's health insurance plan. Returning students who enrolled in one of the NU plans for academic year 2007/2008, will automatically be re-enrolled in the NU health insurance plan.  Returning students who wish to change plans must complete the online form, located at www.northwestern.edu/caesar, no later than October 1, 2008.   

Q. Is the health insurance payroll deduction available for September after the September 7th deadline?
A. No. If the Payroll Deduction Authorization form is received after September 7th , the student cannot make a September deduction. The student may make payment for September through Caesar (www.northwestern.edu/caesar, select "Student Center" then "Financial Services"). Then the student may submit a Payroll Deduction form to the appropriate Office of Student Accounts before the 5th of any month, and deductions for the subsequent months can be made.

Q. Do I have any other payment options?

A.  No.

Q. Does the completion of the Payroll Deduction Authorization Form automatically grant me housing?

A. No, new students and continuing students who wish to be granted housing must also download and complete the Graduate Housing Application - www.northwestern.edu/gradhousing/GradHousing_Application.pdf. Assignments are made each year based on the date of the received application.

Q. If I am enrolled in the NU health plan and I graduate or leave the University before the end of the academic year, what are my options concerning the NU health plan?

A. You may cancel your enrollment in the plan by submiting a request in writing to the Health Insurance Office at 633 Emerson Street by the last day of the Fall, Winter or Spring quarter. For 2008/2009, the deadlines are the dates when examinations end for fall, winter and spring quarters.  To find the end dates of each quarter go to: http://aquavite.northwestern.edu/cal/pp/acadcal.cgi?g=111&y=Fall_2008. You may also fax your request to 847/491-4268. Once the request has been approved, your charges and subsidy award will be adjusted.

You also have the option of staying enrolled in the NU health plan through August 31, 2009. If you wish to continue your enrollment in the NU Plan after you leave the University and you requested monthly payroll deductions from your stipend to pay your health insurance cost, you will need to make other arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts (studentaccounts-ev@northwestern.edu) to settle your obligation since you will no longer be receiving pay through Northwestern.

For further information on this process, students may contact the Health Insurance Office at 847-491-4134 or contact Ethlyn Pitts-Senecal at elo416@northwestern.edu