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Student Health Plan

Information to help you find a plan to meet you where you are.


 

Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate Assistants


  • What is graduate assistant medical insurance?

    As a Graduate Assistant at Oklahoma State University, whether you've assumed the role of a Graduate Teaching Assistant or a Graduate Research Assistant, you may be eligible for health care coverage provided by UnitedHealthcare through the university. Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in voluntary dental and vision coverage through UnitedHealthcare. 

  • What is the cost of graduate assistant insurance?

    The cost of Graduate Assistant (GA) medical insurance at OSU is structured so that GAs are liable for a maximum of $125 per semester billed at a rate of $25 per month. This amount will be deducted from your payroll on a monthly basis.

  • Am I eligible for graduate assistant insurance coverage?

    Graduate students who meet the criteria outlined below are automatically eligible for and enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and Research Assistants (GRAs) will be enrolled in the insurance plan provided their positions fulfill one of the following criteria, which must be met each semester:

     

    1. Enrolled in 9 credit hours during spring/fall (2 summer) at 0.25 FTE.

    2. Enrolled in 6 credit hours during spring/fall (2 summer) at 0.50 FTE.

    3. On reduced continuous enrollment of 2 credit hours or more for post-candidacy doctoral GTA/GRAs at 0.25 FTE. 

     

    Enrolled students can also opt to insure their dependents, including legal spouses and dependent children under 26 years of age. To include dependents in your coverage, it is necessary to communicate directly with UnitedHealthcare. The process involves reaching out to them for enrollment, and any associated payments for dependent coverage will be handled directly through UnitedHealthcare. 

  • Am I able to decline graduate assistant medical insurance coverage if I do not wish to participate? 

    As a Graduate Assistant (GA), you are automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan after the waiver deadline for each semester. If you choose not to participate in the insurance, you must visit studentcenter.uhcsr.com/okstate to opt out. However, please note that international students are not permitted to decline coverage.

     

    Ensure you have your identification details, such as your date of birth and Banner ID (CWID), readily available. 

     

    If your information is not found as eligible for insurance within the United Health Care portal after entering your details, please contact your department to confirm that your assignment has been fully processed. Additionally, verify that you meet all eligibility criteria, including enrollment in the required number of class hours.

     

    Please be aware that if you do not meet the specified criteria, you will not be included in our eligibility file and will be unable to accept or decline insurance through the United Health Care portal. If you have confirmed all the steps above, please wait until the following week to attempt opting in or out again, and continue to check regularly, as the eligibility file is processed weekly. 

  • How do I activate my graduate assistant medical insurance coverage?

    Visit studentcenter.uhcsr.com/okstate and click the "opt in" button to follow the prompts. Ensure you have your identification details, such as your date of birth and Banner ID (CWID), readily available. While the portal will display your total premium, you are only responsible for a maximum of $125 per semester billed at $25 per month deducted through your payroll, so you may continue through the prompts as it will not request payment.  After completing this step, you may access your account here

     

    If your information is not found as eligible for insurance within the United Health Care portal after entering your details, please contact your department to confirm that your assignment has been fully processed. Additionally, verify that you meet all eligibility criteria, including enrollment in the required number of class hours.

     

    Please be aware that if you do not meet the specified criteria, you will not be included in our eligibility file and will be unable to accept or decline insurance through the United Health Care portal. If you have confirmed all the steps above, please wait until the following week to attempt opting in or out again, and continue to check regularly, as the eligibility file is processed weekly. 

  • If I decline coverage but find I need it later in the semester, what are my options?

    If you decline GA insurance but later need to enroll due to an IRS Qualifying Life Event, please contact us at osu-benefits@okstate.edu. We will provide you with the necessary paperwork for the event, which you will need to return to us along with documentation proving the Qualifying Life Event. When adding a dependent, dependent verification documentation is required. This may include marriage license or first page of tax return for spouse and birth certificate or first page of tax return for dependent child. 

     

    Once approved by our Benefits Coordinator, we will return the completed paperwork to you for submission to United Health Care.

     

    Examples of Qualifying Life Events include: 

    • Marriage, divorce, legal separation, or spouse’s death  Birth, adoption, medical child support order, or dependent’s death. 
    • Change in residence affecting eligibility for your or your dependents' current plan
    • Gain or loss of other group coverage, starting or returning from a leave of absence, or change in job status (e.g., from part-time to full-time)
    • Change in dependent’s eligibility (e.g., reaching age 26) 

 

Important Links


Preventative Care - What's covered?

United Health Care Insurance

United Health Care: 800.767.0700

University Health Services

 

 

Resources


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