Westminster's Student Health Insurance: Policy & Program
(updated August 2009)
ALL FULL-TIME AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS are required to have health Insurance. As a convenience, all Westminster students at the Philadelphia campus are eligible to enroll in the Seminary-sponsored health insurance program.
As stated in the 2009-10 academic catalog (pg. 20):
"All full-time students and their dependents are required to have health care coverage. International students on a J-1 or F-1 visa, in addition to the medical benefits required for all students, are also required to have Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains (MERR) coverage. If a student chooses not to use the Westminster-sponsored plan, he or she must submit a waiver form with alternative health insurance coverage details."
1. What Are My Options for Health Insurance as a Student at WTS?
(International students please see question #2 below)
WTS has a seminary-sponsored plan through Keystone.
Westminster-Sponsored insurance premiums for 2009-2010: Below is a rate sheet showing MONTHLY costs for coverage for Southeastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties). Please refer to the Doctor and Hospital Directory provided in the insurance packet. For all questions regarding the type and nature of coverage and for all matters other than the actual application for coverage, please call the number on the back of your insurance ID card.
PLAN COVERAGE SUMMARY |
| Office/Outpaitent Care |
Doctors Office Visits
Primary and OB/GYN
Specialists |
$30
$50 |
X-Ray/Radiology/Diagnostics
Routine radiology
MRI/MRA, CT Scans
Mammograms |
$50
$100
$0 |
Preventative Services
Routine GYN/Pediatric Immunization |
$30 |
| Facility/Auxillary |
| Hospital Services | $400/Day
Max. 5 Days
($2,000) |
| Emergency Room | $125 |
| Prescription Drugs | $20/$40/$60 |
| Vision Plan | $100 Bi-annual |
MONTHLY RATES Effective 9/1/09 |
| | HMO | POS |
| Single | $306.33 | $307.64 |
| Single/Child | $542.34 | $544.68 |
| Single/Children | $542.34 | $544.68 |
| Single + Spouse | $698.54 | $701.57 |
| Family | $889.33 | $893.19 |
To enroll: Call Steve Sayers at Health Benefits, Inc. (215-957-1700 ext. 112). Enrollment packets are available in the Student Affairs Office.
Premium payments: All premiums (made payable to Health Benefits, Inc.) should be mailed to:
Health Benefits, Inc.
Post Office Box 1040
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Premium payment due dates: September premiums will be due at the time of enrollment but no later than Friday, September 11. All subsequent payments are due the 20th of the month prior to the month of coverage. For example, the premium for October coverage is due September 20.
Failure to remit your premium on a timely basis will result in the implementation of a procedure for re-classifying your enrollment status to part-time. After you receive a warning for non-compliance, you will be dropped from classes over and above the 11 credit mark. Your account will be put on hold and you will not be allowed to register as a full-time student for the following semester.
Individual Aetna Plans
Students may contact Steve Sayers at Health Benefits for more information about individualized insurance plans to suit their personal needs. A variety of price and coverage levels are available.
http://www.beneresources.com/
Good Neighbor Health Insurance
Good Neighbor also has Student Plans available. See http://www.gnihealth.com/ for more information (Click on the WTS logo.)
2. Are there Special Plans and Requirements for International Students?
International Students on a J-1 or F-1 visa are required to have health insurance. In addition to the medical benefits described below for all students, international students are ALSO required to have Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains (MERR) coverage.
Important! Please keep in mind that you will need to have insurance (or document on the waiver form that you have insurance coverage) and, if applicable, proof of MERR coverage, in order to be enrolled as a full-time Westminster student
Good Neighbor Health Insurance: International students on a J-1 or F-1 visa can find a variety of plans to suit the requirements of their visas and to ensure proper coverage here: http://www.gnihealth.com/ (click on the WTS logo on the right side of the page)
3. Who Should I Contact with My Questions about Health Insurance?
Primary Health Insurance Contact: All students who participate in the Westminster-sponsored plan will deal directly with our insurance broker, Health Benefits, Inc. The primary point of contact (for premiums, billing and coverage questions, enrollment changes, and so forth) will be Steve Sayers of Health Benefits, Inc. Mr. Sayers can be reached at (215) 957-1700, ext. 112.
Health Insurance Contact at Westminster: Lynette English, in the Student Affairs office, will answer general questions or refer you to Health Benefits, Inc. She will also have available student insurance packets and other general information. She can be reached at (215) 572-3837.
