FAQs

Yes. As an academic health center Jefferson requires all matriculated students to have health insurance, and to complete the enrollment/waiver process for each academic year.*  If you have health insurance through another provider, it must meet the stated minimum requirements to qualify for a waiver.  If you do not have coverage through another provider that meets the minimum requirements, then you must enroll in the College-sponsored student health insurance plan.  Once enrolled, the plan will be in effect for the entire academic year.  You may only terminate the insurance coverage if you have a qualifying life change event. 

*Dates may vary by academic program.

Yes. It is an annual requirement which must be completed for each academic year.

Yes.  Your status as a student is separate from your employment.   Jefferson requires all matriculated students to have health insurance, and to complete the enrollment/waiver process for each academic year.  If you have health insurance of your own that meets the minimum requirements, you just need to fill out a waiver request.  For instructions on how to do so, please visit www.jefferson.edu/studenthealthinsurance

In order to qualify for a waiver,

1. A student’s insurance plan must be one of the following:

• An employer-based plan through a parent, spouse or own employment
• An individual plan purchased through a government exchange or directly through a carrier at the Gold equivalent or Platinum equivalent level of coverage.  Gold equivalent level plans will provide minimum coverage of 80% of costs, while Platinum equivalent plans will provide minimum coverage of 90% of costs. 
• A plan provided via Medicaid or Veterans Affairs.

2. If the plan originates outside of the Philadelphia area; the student must have the ability to access providers in the area of their current residence, without disruption to their academic responsibilities, while attending Thomas Jefferson University.

3. A student's current Insurance Company must be based in the United States, have a United States claims office, be approved to do business in Pennsylvania, and be compliant with all of the guidelines of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

The University reserves the right to audit all waivers in order to ensure compliance with the minimum requirements. Please be sure to retain a copy of your insurance policy as you may be asked to provide this documentation.

Please visit www.firststudent.com to complete your requirement.

Please note that the online waiver/enrollment site typically becomes available according to the schedule below:

• Pre-Fall Start and Summer Start Students - April 1st
• Fall Start Students / Returning Students for the coming academic year - July 1st
• Spring Start Students - December 1st

Please note the following procedures for enrolling or waiving health insurance coverage for the 2019-20 academic year. All enrollments and waivers must be completed using the online process outlined below.

1. Go to http://www.firststudent.com/
2. Select your College, "Thomas Jefferson University – Center City/Abington" from the drop down menu, then click "Continue".
3. Read through the information on the welcome page.
4. Click on either the "Enroll Now" or "Waive Your College's Insurance" link from the orange menu on the left.
5. From the enrollment or waiver page, click the corresponding link to begin the process.
6. Log in by entering your Date of Birth and your Student ID# (Campus Key). Do NOT enter your Social Security Number.
7. Complete the online waiver or enrollment form and then print out the confirmation and keep it for your records. 

Please contact the student health insurance representative for your academic program if you experience any of the following:

• Your Campus Key or Date of Birth was not accepted
• You gave incorrect information about your current health care coverage
• You encountered other difficulties while attempting to complete the process.

Please contact the student health insurance representative for your academic program.

Depending on when your program starts, you may need to complete the health insurance requirement twice within a twelve month period.  Please see below for details.

ALL SUMMER or PRE-FALL Start Students (including but not limited to: JCN: FACT - 1 Year Program, DNP Program, MSN Program, PM Program; JCHP: Physician Assistant Studies Program; JCRS: Physical Therapy Program; and JCLS Post-Baccalaureate Program)

Students that are enrolled in a program that begins in the pre-fall term or summer term will need to complete the insurance requirement for two academic years. When students begin their program in the pre-fall or summer term, they will need to complete an insurance waiver or enrollment for the remainder of the 2018-19 academic year. This waiver or enrollment will be in effect for the months of May, June, July, and August. In July, students will then need to complete the health insurance waiver or enrollment process for the new academic year (2019-20).

SPRING START STUDENTS

Students that will be starting their academic program in the spring term (January) will need to complete the insurance requirement for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. This waiver or enrollment will be in effect for the months of January through August 2020. Students will then need to complete the health insurance requirement in July for the new academic year (2020-21).

No.  Our office does not maintain a listing of comparable insurance plans.  You may opt to waive with any insurance plan that meets the minimum requirements.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that any plan he/she is considering meets the minimum requirements.  If purchasing an individual plan through the government exchange or directly through a carrier, your plan must be at the Gold equivalent or Platinum equivalent level of coverage.  Gold equivalent level plans will provide minimum coverage of 80% of costs, while Platinum equivalent plans will provide minimum coverage of 90% of costs.  You may wish to discuss your options with an insurance agent. 

No.  Unfortunately, we are not able to recommend insurance plans to you, nor do we maintain a listing of comparable insurance plans.  It is the student’s responsibility to explore and compare health insurance plans and to ensure that any plan they are considering meets the minimum requirements.  You may wish to provide your insurance agent with a copy of the minimum requirements by visiting www.jefferson.edu/studenthealthinsurance.

Health insurance companies offer standardized plans which fall into four metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.  In general, Gold plans will provide minimum coverage of 80% of costs, while Platinum plans will provide minimum coverage of 90% of costs. 

Some individuals may be eligible to receive subsidized plans through www.healthcare.gov in which you pay a lesser rate for a high level of coverage - for example, you may have a “Silver Plan with cost sharing reduction subsidies” where the benefits are equivalent to a Gold or Platinum plan.

For additional information and questions on plans, benefits, and coverage levels, you are encouraged to speak with a representative from the insurance companies you are considering.

HealthCare.gov is a government website that allows you to do comparison shopping for

health insurance.  The website is designed to offer information and transparency about the health insurance market so that consumers can be sure they're getting the best value. 

If you are looking for health insurance plans healthcare.gov can help you find specific options quickly and easily.  You can preview Marketplace health plans and prices available in your area by using a simple tool on the website which will let you view plans and price estimates.  Based upon certain factors, you may also be eligible for a subsidy (discount), which can be determined by visiting that site.

The Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment for 2020 has not been established as of yet.  Please consult with the website healthcare.gov

Yes, you must still complete the waiver process.  If your insurance will not be in effect for the entire academic year due to a life change event, you may qualify for a partial waiver during the period that your insurance will cover, and will then have to either obtain a new insurance plan that meets the minimum requirements or enroll in the student health insurance plan for the remainder of the academic year.

For your insurance coverage as a veteran, you will enter the following information into the corresponding fields.

Insurance Company Name: Veterans Affairs

Policy Number: your social security number

Group Number: none (note: you actually have to type the word “none” for this field)

Policy Holder Name: your full name

Insurance Company Address: 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104

For your insurance coverage through Medicaid, you will enter the following information into the corresponding fields.

Insurance Company Name: Medicaid (State that it is Issued From)

Policy Number:

• For NJ: Enter the CCN# from your Card
• For PA: Enter the Recipient # from your Card
• Other States: Enter the Medicaid ID# or similar from your card

Group Number: none
(note: you actually have to type the word “none” for this field)

Policy Holder Name: your full name

Insurance Company Address: Enter the address from the back of your card or call the number on your card to obtain that information

Yes.  If your insurance will not be in effect for the entire academic year due to a life change event, you may qualify for a partial waiver during the period that your insurance is in effect if your plan meets the minimum requirements.  Please note that you cannot have a lapse in coverage.  Prior to your insurance plan expiring, you should obtain a new health insurance plan that meets the minimum requirements or enroll in the student insurance plan for the remainder of the academic year.  You will need to contact the student health insurance representative for your academic program to provide information on your new plan or to enroll in the student health insurance plan.

All matriculated students that are enrolled at Thomas Jefferson University are eligible to enroll in the student health insurance plan.  Eligible students who do enroll may also insure their dependents.  For additional information, please visit http://www.firststudent.com/. 

Newborn infants will be covered under the policy for the first 31 days after birth.  Coverage for such a child will be for injury or sickness, including medically diagnosed congenital defects, birth abnormalities, prematurity and nursery care; benefits will be the same as for the Insurance Person who is the child’s parent. 

The Insured will have the right to continue such coverage for the child beyond the first 31 days.  To continue the coverage the Insured must, within the 31 days after the child’s birth, contact your student health insurance representative for your academic program with the following information:

1.       The first, middle and last name of the child

2.       Gender

3.       Date of birth

4.       Social Security Number

If the adopted child is placed with an Insured while that person is covered under this policy, such child will be covered from the moment of placement for the first 31 days.  The Insured must notify the Company, in writing, of the adopted child not more than 30 days after placement or adoption.

In the case of a newborn adopted child, coverage begins at the moment of birth if a written agreement to adopt such child has been entered into by the Insured prior to the birth of the child, whether or not the agreement is enforceable.   However, coverage will not continue to be provided for an adopted child who is not ultimately placed in the Insured’s residence.

The Insured will have the right to continue such coverage for the child beyond the first 31 days.  To continue the coverage the Insured must, within the 31 days after the child’s date of placement, contact your student health insurance representative for your academic program with the following information:

1.       The first, middle and last name of the child

2.       Gender

3.       Date of birth

4.       Social Security Number

If the Insured does not use this right as stated here, all coverage as to that child will terminate at the end of the first 31 days after the child’s date of placement.

Yes. Dependent coverage is available for individuals enrolled in the student health insurance plan.  You may add dependents to your coverage during your open enrollment period using the enrollment form.   After the open enrollment period has passed, you may only add dependents in the following circumstances

• Within 31 days of birth (see the “I’m having a baby.” or “I’m adopting a child.” FAQ for additional information)
• Within 30 days of a qualifying life change event (see the “What qualifies as a life change event…” FAQ for additional information)

Prior to the coverage period beginning you are able to cancel your enrollment in the student health insurance plan.  If you intend to do so, you must contact the student health insurance representative for your academic program.  You must also purchase insurance that meets the minimum requirements and complete the waiver process.

After the coverage period has begun, you may only cancel your enrollment in the student health insurance plan if you have a qualifying life change event or change in your enrollment status with the University.

• Change in marital status (marriage, divorce, widowed)
• Change in employment status
• Aging off parent's insurance (age 26)
• Loss of coverage through no fault of your own

If you have experienced any of the above qualifying life change events and wish to enroll in or cancel your enrollment in the student health insurance plan, you must contact your student health insurance representative AND show proof of coverage within 30 days of the event. If you do not contact your student health insurance representative AND show proof of other coverage within 30 days of the qualifying life change event, you will NOT be eligible to cancel your student health insurance plan.

Cancellations will be effective the date the new coverage begins. Charges will be removed from your student account and/or you will receive a pro-rated refund for the remaining unused coverage period.

While some students with a change of enrollment status with the University wish to keep their health insurance coverage, other students wish to cancel it, the choice is yours.

Should you wish to keep your health insurance coverage, there is no action that you need to take.  All enrollments through the student health insurance plan are effective through the end of the academic year.* If your contact information (mailing address, email, etc.) will change, please contact the insurance company directly using the information on the back of your card.

Should you wish to cancel your health insurance, you must take action and submit written notification requesting cancellation.   To do so please send an email to your student health insurance representative and include the following in your email:

• A statement indicating that you have had a change of enrollment status with the University AND the date that status goes into effect
  • Note: The student health insurance plan is billed in two installments.  The amount billed to the fall invoice is for the period of September 1st - February 28th, while the amount billed to the spring invoice is for the period of March 1st - August 31st.
• A statement that you want your student health insurance plan cancelled as of the status date (or effective immediately if the status date has already passed)
• Your full name which will serve as your electronic signature

If we receive a written cancellation request from you as indicated above, then your insurance will be cancelled as of the date of your change in enrollment status at the University (or the date when the written cancellation request is received if the date of your change in enrollment status has already passed).  Charges will be removed from your student account and/or you will receive a pro-rated refund for the remaining unused coverage period.

You will receive a confirmation from your student health insurance representative that your request has been received and processed.  If you do not receive this confirmation, then that indicates that your request was not received.  Should we not receive a written statement from you indicating that you wish to cancel your health insurance coverage, your coverage will remain in place per the policy through the end of the academic year* and you will be responsible for the corresponding charges.

*Dates vary by academic program.

Yes.  The plan does include prescription and vision benefits.  For details on the coverage, please visit http://www.firststudent.com/. 

No. Dental insurance is not included in the student health insurance plan, however, optional dental insurance is available for matriculated students.  Please visit https://www1.deltadentalins.com/ for more information.

Yes, but you should visit http://www.firststudent.com/ and view the plan brochure for specific details.  Prior to traveling outside the United States you should also contact the Office of International Affairs at oia@jefferson.edu.

No.  The student health insurance plan is a PPO designed to minimize the out of pockets costs for students and the need for referrals.

View the Coverage Periods and Rates

The student health insurance plan through United HealthCare is a very comprehensive plan with extensive benefits.  It is a PPO designed to minimize the out of pockets costs for students and the need for referrals.  Additionally, there is not a pre-existing conditions exclusion in the plan.

For annual enrollments, the cost of the insurance will be billed to your student tuition account in two installments – half will be assessed to your fall invoice and half to your spring invoice.  For life change enrollments and spring semester or pre-fall/summer semester enrollments, the cost of the insurance will be billed to your student tuition account in one lump sum.

U.S. federal regulations require you to show proof of funding to support your studies.  All I-20 forms are issued based on the student’s ability to pay for the cost of tuition and fees to attend Thomas Jefferson University. The ability to pay must be demonstrated in financial support documentation which includes the cost of required student health insurance.  Go to the Student Health Insurance Plan section on this web sir for coverage rates. If you are issued an I-20 form from Thomas Jefferson University then you have confirmed your ability to purchase and enroll in health insurance.  You may elect to waive out of the student health insurance plan if your other insurance plan meets the minimum requirements.

A student's current Insurance Company must be based in the United States, have a United States claims office, be approved to do business in Pennsylvania, and be compliant with all of the guidelines of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Yes, international students with valid immigration status may use healthcare.gov to purchase health insurance.  However, subsidies are only available for those students who are resident aliens for tax purposes.  This is determined by the number of years you have been present in the United States in your status.  If you have questions about your tax status please contact the Office of International Affairs at oia@jefferson.edu.