Health and Insurance

The cost of health care in the United States is very high and there is no national health plan. Nonresidents in the United States are not eligible for financial assistance from the US government to pay for medical bills. Therefore, the policies of Southeastern Louisiana University require that all students and scholars and accompanying family members have adequate health insurance coverage.

 

Below you will find information on the Southeastern International Student Insurance plan, insurance requirements, how to file a waiver, and more.

All acceptable insurance plans must include the following:

1. Policy minimum of $100,000 per Accident and Sickness for F-1 and J-1 and J-2 visa holders (Required by Department of State regulations)

2. Minimum $25,000 benefit for Repatriation Coverage

3. Minimum $50,000 benefit for Medical Evacuation Coverage

4. Maximum deductible amount of $500

5. Policy benefits must meet or exceed those set forth in the Southeastern endorsed insurance plan

Alternate insurance must cover the entire semester and must meet the minimum requirements set forth above under Insurance Requirements. It is the student's responsibility to provide proof of private insurance for review to the International Services Office BEFORE the fee payment deadline for the possibility of an insurance waiver.

To request a waiver for Southeastern's endorsed plan, a student must submit to the ISO proof of coverage using the link below. Proof of coverage should include policy information, deductible rates, coverage dates, and expiration date of policy. This information must come directly from the policy provider/insurance company. We will verify proof of coverage with your insurance company before the waiver is granted.

               

ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NOT PRESENTING PROOF OF OTHER ACCEPTABLE INSURANCE PRIOR TO THE FEE PAYMENT DEADLINE (OR UPON ARRIVAL FOR NEW STUDENTS) WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN ENDORSED PLAN ON THEIR FEE BILL.

Students who are charged the endorsed plan through GBG are covered only during the semesters in which they enroll in classes.  Once a student registers courses, the insurance premium will appear on their account when tuition and fees are added. Students who do not wish to be enrolled in the Southeastern endorsed plan must apply for a waiver.  See above for more information.

Students who do not attend the summer semester are not charged the insurance.  You must contact the International Services Office and confirm that you wish to remain covered during the summer term.

Coverage lasts for each semester from the first day of class until the day before the next semester begins. 

A copy of the most recent benefit information for the GBG Policy can be found here

When you are enrolled in the GBG Southeastern endorsed plan, you will receive a health insurance card.  Our office will email you once it is ready to be picked up.  Keep this card with you at all times.

If you need to visit the doctor or walk-in clinic, give the card to the person checking you in. They will ask you for it and take down the information. You will pay a $25 deductible or co-payment for your visit.

Once you are see by the facility, they will send the insurance company the information.  Afterwards, you will receive the list of covered procedures in the mail from the insurance company.  It will tell you what they covered and what you owe the hospital.  You may also receive a separate bill from the hospital with the same information.  Check over it carefully and call the insurance company with any discrepancies. 

If you visit a facility and forget your health insurance card, you will need to file a claim with the insurance company. To do so, please follow the instructions on page 8 of this document.

The pharmacy network under GBG insurance provides prescription drug coverage for all covered conditions when prescriptions are filled at any of their participating pharmacies. Preventative drugs are not covered. 

You will be required to show your health insurance and ID card to receive benefits at the participating pharmacy. 

For additional pharmacy locations, please visit CVS Caremark Company at www.caremark.com.

Premium - This is the actual cost of your insurance plan. The amount you pay per semester for insurance coverage.

Deductible - The amount that you must pay out of your own pocket before the insurance company will pay the doctor or hospital, and is typically paid at the time of treatment.

Co-Pay - Like a deductible, this is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket before the insurance company begins to pay for your eligible expenses. Typically this is required instead of a deductible or coinsurance, and requires you to pay a set fee for a specific visit.

Coinsurance - A percentage of what the insurance will pay to cover your health care cost after any deductibles or copays have been met.

Provider Network - Group of medical providers that have contracted with the insurance company to provide health care services. In-network providers typically charge less for the same service compared to non-network providers, so using an in-network provider can save you money and they will usually accept direct payment from your insurance company.

Usual, Reasonable, and Customary - (URC) the average cost for a particular treatment in a particular geographic area. It is the amount that insurance companies use to describe the limit on how much they will pay for covered expenses.

Pre-existing conditions - include any injury or illness that you may have had 6 months prior to being covered under GBG's insurance. Pre-existing conditions are not covered until after the covered person maintains 12 months of uninterrupted coverage from his/her effective date of coverage.

Repatriation of Remains - On most insurance plans, repatriation of remains covers the cost of returning the insured's body back to their home country in case of death.

Emergency Medical Evacuation - provides medically necessary transportation to the nearest qualified medical facility