Issue 8: Health Insurance |
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Greetings!
Health care services in the U.S. can be costly and unexpected expenses can be disruptive to your academic progress. It is important that you are covered by comprehensive health insurance, especially when we are still in a worldwide pandemic.
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End of Year Holiday Closure
The University of Maryland and ISSS will be closed for the December holidays from Thursday December 23rd through January 2nd. We will reopen with normal hours and services on Monday, January 3rd. Please plan accordingly.
Please note there will NOT be a Tip of the Week next Tuesday, December 28th.
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Today's Tip: Health Insurance |
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The U.S. does not have comprehensive socialized health care as is available in many countries. In the U.S., health care and health insurance can be expensive. "Health care" refers to the services one receives from medical providers. "Health insurance," largely privatized in the U.S., refers to the policy one purchases that helps to cover some of the costs associated with receiving health care. |
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University Health Center and SHIP Student Insurance
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Understanding Healthcare in the U.S.
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All newly admitted students in F and J status who are undergraduates registered for 6 credits or more are automatically enrolled in UMD's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Undergraduate students who already have a US health insurance policy and wish to apply for a waiver can do so by following 8 steps outlined in the Health Center website. Students can complete the waiver after they have registered for classes and must complete the waiver no later than February 15. |
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To Waive SHIP 2021-2022:
- Have an electronic copy of your current US based insurance card and your University of Maryland student ID.
- Go to: https://umd.myahpcare.com/waiver
- Select the 'Click Here to Waive or Enroll in Coverage’ link.
- Log in to the system by using the following:
- Login – UMD ID (Ex:111234567) NOT your UMD directory ID
- Password – Date of Birth in MMDDYYYY format, unless previously changed.
- Select the ‘Sign In” button.
- On the home page, select the “WAIVE” button from the “I Already Have Insurance” section.
- Enter your insurance information and attach your required documentation.
- Select the ‘Submit Waiver’ button at the bottom of the waiver form.
NOTE: For additional information or assistance, please contact Academic Health Plans Customer Service at 1-855-850-4303.
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Undergraduates must be registered for at least 6 credits for Spring 2022 before they can enroll or activate SHIP insurance or apply for a waiver. Undergraduate students are enrolled in the plan automatically and will be billed for the policy. New students should register in order to activate their insurance (and receive their insurance cards) by following the instructions here: https://health.umd.edu/insurance-billing/SHIP. This is especially helpful when you need immunizations or lab tests. The health center requires you have your insurance on file prior to receiving services.
Your U.S. address will be required when enrolling.
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All Graduate students enrolled full-time in a master’s or doctoral program at the University of Maryland, College Park campus must have health insurance coverage. Graduate students are not automatically enrolled in the SHIP insurance plan, for more information on your options see the Graduate School’s web page here.
Graduate students enrolling in an external plan, or if covered by someone else’s plan (a parent or a spouse), should complete the External Health insurance Reporting Form on the Academic HealthPlans (AHP). |
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About the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The University of Maryland SHIP insurance plan is a platinum level insurance plan provided by Carefirst (Blue Preferred PPO).
- For undergraduate students, and graduates who elect coverage, SHIP spring coverage is January 1, 2022- July 31, 2022 at a cost of $984.
SHIP covers most services at the University of Maryland Health Center. At the University Health Center, SHIP patients do not have deductibles and no fee is required for covered services.
For Graduate students who are not automatically enrolled, February 15th, 2022 is the deadline to enroll in the SHIP insurance plan. Graduate students must be registered for at least one credit for Spring 2022 before they are permitted to enroll in the plan.
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Students who need temporary housing between January 18th and 21st
The deadline for booking is January 10th.
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Intent Form Due Jan 3rd
On December 15th ISSS launched the “Intent Form” All students who have I-20/DS2019 with a spring arrival date are required to complete this form. The form was added to ISSS iTerp checklist. If you haven’t completed the form, please do so by January 3rd, 2022.
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Connect with us
Ask your questions via our Live Chat, available on our website Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m. ET.
Schedule a Virtual Appointment with an ISSS advisor. Appointments can be scheduled under newly admitted students Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET.
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Wed, Jan 5th
9am ET
Thurs, Jan 6th
3pm ET
Wed, Jan 12th
3pm ET
Fri, Jan 14th
11am ET
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Meet & Greet with International Orientation Leaders
Newly arriving students will have an opportunity to talk with International Orientation Leaders in small group virtual sessions. You will be able to ask questions about what it is like to study with UMD, where students live, get tips and advice on how to make the most of your time, and get to know current and newly admitted students ahead of the spring semester. Register for as many as you would like to attend. |
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Missed a Tip of the Week?
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We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. You are receiving
them because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for the Spring 2022 semester. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD, please inform ISSS via your iTerp checklist, your department, and either the Graduate School (graduate students) or the undergraduate admissions office (undergraduate students) that you decline your admission.
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