Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Which health
care insurance plan is being offered to graduate assistants?
The insurance company selected for the Graduate Assistant Health
Insurance Benefit Program is called Student Resources, a division of
MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company. Student Resources is a
market leader in student insurance programs. It was selected by NMSU
because it offers high quality comprehensive coverage. For more
information, please visit their web site,
www.studentresources.com.
Please click on “College Students”, and then, “View Policy
Details”. Under “View Brochure”, you can scroll down to
find NMSU.
Question 2: Who is eligible to participate
in the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Benefit Program?
Eligibility for the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance
Benefit Program includes the following. Graduate assistants that: a)
work at least 10 hours per week for an academic semester (.25 FTE)
in a salary position; b) are a full-time graduate student enrolled
in at least 9 graded credits from NMSU; c) are in good academic
standing, d) attend one of the health insurance orientation programs
for graduate assistants, e) complete the NMSU Graduate Assistant
Health Insurance Benefit Program enrollment form, and f) the Student
Resource health insurance enrollment form. All six criteria must be
met to be eligible for health insurance.
Question 3: How much do graduate assistants
have to pay for the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Benefit
Program?
For academic year 2007-2008 the total cost of the health insurance
plan through Student Resources is $971. Graduate assistants will pay
$291.30 through payroll deductions. For graduate assistants employed
for one semester, the costs are less. Please note that the 30
percent shared payment goes towards the costs of the health
insurance plan. Students are responsible for additional costs
including deductibles, medicine and co-payments.
Question 4: Are graduate assistants
required to participate in the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance
Benefit Program?
For domestic students, enrollment is voluntary. We realize that for
some students, health care is covered by their partner’s or spouse’s
health insurance plan.
Question5: What if I’m an international
graduate assistant?
International graduate assistants are required to have health
insurance. As graduate assistants, international students have two
options. They can enroll in the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance
Benefit Program, or select another health insurance plan that is
endorsed by International Programs of NMSU. NMSU will cover 70
percent of the health care insurance costs of Student Resources. If
international graduate assistants select another health insurance
plan, the student will need to cover 100 percent of the costs of the
plan.
Question 6: What if I’m not a graduate
assistant can I still enrollment in health insurance?
As long as you are a full-time student you can receive health care
insurance through the university’s provider, Student Resources. You
would be responsible for the full cost of the health insurance plan.
You will need to complete an enrollment form and submit it directly
to Student Resources. For more information, please visit their web
site,
www.studentresources.com.
Question 7: Are graduate students that are
paid hourly eligible for health insurance?
Graduate students that are paid hourly are not eligible for the
Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Benefit Program. As full-time
students, they can enrollment in the health insurance plan and cover
100 percent of the costs of the health insurance plan as indicated
in question 6.
Question 8: How do I enroll in the Graduate
Assistant Health Insurance Benefit Program?
Enrollment will take place at the beginning of fall and spring
semesters. To enroll in the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance
Benefit Program, students must complete two separate enrollment
forms, one for the Graduate School (NMSU Graduate Assistant Health
Insurance Benefit Program enrollment form) and one for Student
Resources. Both forms are available at the Graduate School.
Question 9: When can I enroll for the
Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Benefit Program?
The enrollment dates for fall and spring semesters is provided
below. The last date for health insurance enrollment will be
strictly enforced.
| Fall only | from August 9th to September 15th |
| Fall and Spring | from August 9th to September 15th |
| Spring 2008 only | from January 9th to February 15th |
Question 10: Where do I go for health care
services?
All outpatient primary health care services are provided by the NMSU
Student Health Center for graduate assistants enrolled in the health
insurance plan. Referrals for specialty care are required and must
be approved by staff of the NMSU Student Health Center to receive
payment for services by the health insurance provider. For emergency
health care, those covered by Student Resources should report to
Memorial Medical Center or the closest emergency facility if
students are not in Las Cruces (contact the NMSU Student Health
Center Insurance Office for more information about the process of
receiving care, 505 646-5706).
Please note that full-time students including graduate assistants
that receive care through the NMSU Student Health Center do not have
to pay the $50 deductible for the office visit. The visits are free
of charge. However, students including graduate assistants will need
to pay for lab work and medicine.
Question 11: How can I learn more about the
insurance plan?
Orientation workshops will be offered at the beginning of each
semester. The sessions are designed to answer questions about the
process of enrollment, the type of coverage, and the health care
services offered by the NMSU Student Health Center. The orientation
workshops are open to faculty, staff and students. If you attended
an orientation last year, you do not need to attend another one this
year.
| DATE | LOCATION | TIME |
| Monday, August 20 | Music Recital Hall | 3:45 - 4:30 pm |
| Tuesday, August 21 | Student Health Center Conference | 9:00 - 10:00 am |
| Wednesday, August 22 | Student Health Center Conference |
2:00 - 3:00 pm |
| Friday, August 24 | Student Health Center Conference | 11:00 am - 12:00 noon |
| Spring 2008 | ||
| Monday, Jan 14 | Student Health Center Conference | 9:00 - 10:00 am |
| Wednesday, Jan 16 | Student Health Center Conference |
2:00 - 3:00 pm |
| Friday, Jan 18 | Student Health Center Conference | 11:00 am - 12:00 noon |
Question 12: Who do I contact if I need
more information?
If you have any questions about enrolling in the Health Care
Insurance Benefit Program, please contact the NMSU Student Health
Center, 505 646-5706.
Question 13: What is the maximum benefit
and covered services?
The maximum benefit is $50,000. Other benefits are discussed in the
online brochure of Student Resources. Please visit their web site to
learn about the services and coverage offered to graduate assistants
covered by the plan,
www.studentresources.com. Please click on “College Students”,
and then, “View Policy Details”. Under “View Brochure”,
you can scroll down to find NMSU.
Question 14: When does coverage begin and
end?
The months of health care coverage is based on eligibility as
determined by the Graduate School. For the academic year, 2007-08,
the dates when coverage begins and ends is provided below. Students
must enroll in the health insurance program to receive coverage. Two
forms must be completed and approved.
| SEMESTER | BEGIN | END |
| Annual | 8/16/07 | 8/15/08 |
| Fall 07 only | 8/16/07 | 1/15/08 |
| Spring 08 only | 1/15/08 | 5/15/08 |
| Spring/Summer | 1/15/08 | 8/15/08 |
| Fall 07 and Spring 08 | 8/16/07 | 8/15/08 |
Question 15: Am I covered during the summer
months? Do I need to pay extra for the summer months?
Graduate assistants hired for fall semester only or spring semester
only are not covered during the summer months. Graduate assistants
that are hired for fall and spring semester are covered during the
summer months, provided that monthly deductions were taken from
their paychecks during the entire academic year.
Question 16: Where do I file a claim form?
You will receive an insurance identification card. The card is used
at the place of service. The provider files a claim form for you.
Question 17: I want to provide health care
for my family. Where do I enroll? Can I pay monthly?
Enrollment forms for spouses and children are available through
Student Resources,
www.studentresources.com. Students can pay monthly for health
insurance.
Question 18: What if I’m no longer a
graduate assistant? Can I continue to receive health care insurance?
As long as you are a full-time student you can receive health care
insurance through the university’s provider, Student Resources. You
would be responsible for the full amount of health insurance costs
once your graduate assistantship ends. You will need to complete
another enrollment form and submit it directly to Student Resources.
Please see question 12 for dates when coverage begins and ends for
graduate assistants.
Question 19: How can I learn about the
services offered by the NMSU Student Health Center?
Please visit their web site for detailed information on their
services.
http://www.nmsu.edu/~shc/