FAQs

• Rice University requires all degree-seeking students to have health insurance.
• All students, new and returning, must complete their insurance selection at www.studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu for each year they are enrolled at Rice. A completed Waiver Form should be submitted to indicate other insurance coverage is in place for those students who are not enrolling in the Rice Student Health Plan.  Students who do not complete an Enrollment or Waiver Form will have their registration put on hold.
• Completed forms should be submitted by the due date on the bill.
• Students electing to enroll in the Rice Student Health Plan may opt to be billed annually or semi-annually. Only newly registered students may waive coverage in the Spring. Enrollment and Waiver elections must be made online and must be submitted by August 15, 2011 (January 5, 2012 for newly registered Spring students).
• Mid-Year Enrollment:  Students who had previously waived coverage may enroll themselves and their eligible dependents after the deadline date only if there has been a significant life change (i.e., loss of prior coverage) and if the completed Enrollment Form is submitted within 30 days of the qualifying event. If the completed Enrollment Form is submitted more than 30 days after the qualifying event, it will not be accepted, and the student and/or dependent(s) will have to wait until the next annual open enrollment period to participate in the plan.  

• Refund Policy: If you withdraw from school within the first 31 days of a coverage period, you will not be covered under the Policy and the full premium will be refunded, less any claims paid.  After 31 days, you will be covered for the full period that you have paid the premium for, and no refund will be allowed.  (This refund policy will not apply if you withdraw due to a covered Accident or Sickness).
  • Refund Exception: A Covered Person entering the armed forces of any country will not be covered under the Policy as of the date of such entry.  In this case, a pro-rata refund of premium will be made for any such person and any covered dependents upon written request received by Aetna Student Health within 90 days of withdrawal from school.
• Newborn Infant Child Coverage:  A child born to a Covered Person shall be covered for Accident, Sickness, and Congenital Defects, for 31 days from the date of birth.  At the end of this 31-day period, coverage will cease under the Rice University Student Health Insurance Plan.  To extend coverage for a newborn past the 31 days, the Covered Student must: 1) enroll the child within 31 days of birth, and 2) pay the additional premium.
  
  • Please be advised: If you enroll your newborn through Rice, the premium will not be prorated. However, if you enroll your newborn directly through AETNA, the premium may be prorated but the graduate subsidy will be relinquished.
• Pre-Authorization Program:  You are required to obtain Pre-authorization pre-certification by calling Aetna Student Health (877) 375-7908 (attention Managed Care Department) or (TDD) (800) 466-5996 before receiving the following services:
  • All inpatient (non-emergency) admissions:  The patient, Physician, or hospital must telephone at least three (3) business days prior to the planned admission.
  • Notification of emergency admissions must be provided by the patient, patient's representative, Physician, or hospital, telephoning within two (2) business days following admissions.  Please note that pre-authorization/pre-certification of inpatient and/or listed services/procedures does not constitute a promise of benefit.
• To ensure accuracy in coverage, always carry your insurance card.
• To discuss payment options contact the Cashier’s Office at (713) 348-4946. Make all checks payable to:
  Rice University 
  Cashier's Office-MS #55
  P.O. Box 1892
  Houston, Texas 77521-1982

Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

Are You Planning To Add A Domestic Partner?

Enrollment is easy -- when you follow these simple steps:

1. To begin the process- Register for the Rice Plan at www.studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu.
2. Under the dependent coverage section you will see:  
   “Are you planning to enroll a domestic partner?"
3. After this selection has been made you will be allowed to continue your individual registration.
4. There are three ways to return the signed Affidavit to Aetna:
   

   Mail  Rice University Account Representative  Aetna Student Health  One Charles Park Cambridge, MA 02142- 1254  Fax  Joe Lyman (860) 907-4671  Email  jlyman@aetna.com

• Remember to keep a copy of the Affidavit for your records.
• Completed forms MUST be submitted within 31 days of enrollment.
• Please Note: (This form requires (2) signatures to be valid).

I Waived the Rice Plan...

• In order to maintain compliance with University policy, complete the insurance waiver form on the Student Health website: www.studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu.
• Be sure to check your policy to determine which Houston area medical practitioner and facilities are covered under your plan.
• It is your responsibility to submit claim forms for each injury or illness. A health provider may offer to submit claims for you, but do not assume that all providers will perform this service.

What is the Mandatory Student Health Fee?

What is Vital Savings by Aetna^® on Dental?

Vital Savings by Aetna^® is not insurance.  It is a dental discount program helping members and their dependents save on dental expenses.  In most instances, savings range from 15%-50% on a wide array of dental services.  This program does not make payments directly to the participating providers.  Each member is obligated to pay for all services or products but will receive a discount from the provider(s) who have contracted with Aetna to participate in the program.

*Actual costs and savings vary by provider and geographic area.

What is Aetna Advantage™ Dental?

Advantage Dental is the optional dental insurance offered to all students whether enrolled on the Rice Plan or participating in another insurance plan.  This plan offers coverage for most routine preventive and diagnostic services, as well as, basic restorative care – all for an office visit copay.  Also, many other services are available at a reduced fee.  Visit the Student Connection at http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com (be sure to enter 890436 as the Policy Number) for more information, and to enroll online.

Helpful Resources

For questions about the Student Health Plan contact Aetna Student Health Customer Service: (877) 375-7908 or log onto their website (http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com) and Find Your School to get additional information and to find a preferred care providers in your area.

Cashier's Office: (713) 348-4946 or via email at cashier@rice.edu 

• Questions regarding payment of health insurance.
• Payment options.
• Addition of dependent/domestic partners on the health insurance plan.

For questions or feedback on the Aetna Student Health Plan contact Mary Aycock at studentinsurance@rice.edu  or call (713) 348-5544.

Definitions of Common Terms

1. Benefit Period – The policy period from effective date to termination date for which premium has been paid.

2. Coinsurance – The percentage of Covered Medical Expenses payable by Aetna under the Student Health Insurance Plan (Rice Plan 80% Preferred Care – 50% Non-Preferred Care).

3. Copayment – This is a fee charged to a person for Covered Medical Expenses.  Or those amounts payable by the insured person(s), at the time of services, as set forth in this policy. 

4. Covered Medical Expense – Those charges for any treatment, service or supplies covered by this policy.

5. Covered Person – An eligible person or eligible dependent for which the insurance company receives premium and who is therefore insured under the plan.

6. Deductible – The amount an insured individual must pay out-of-pocket for expenses before benefits are payable under the Plan.  (Rice Plan $250 in network / $750 out-of-network).  Deductible amounts are the responsibility of the covered person. 

7. Non-Preferred Care Provider (or Non-Preferred Provider) – A health care provider that has not contracted with Aetna to furnish services or supplies at a Negotiated Charge. 

8. Out-Of-Pocket Maximum – The amount that must be paid, by the covered student, or the covered student and their covered dependents, before Covered Medical Expenses will be payable at 100%, for the remainder of the Policy Year.  Out-of-Pocket costs included, deductibles, co-payments (excluding prescriptions) and coinsurance.  (Rice Plan- $3,000 per insured person).

9. Preferred Care Provider (or Preferred Provider) – A health care provider that has contracted with Aetna to furnish services and supplies for a Negotiated Charge.

10. Prescription Drug Benefit –  $25 copay for each brand name prescription drug or a $15 copay each generic prescription drug.  (A 60 day supply of medication is available for one (1) copay).  There is a $3,000 policy maximum per policy year.