Metro State Student Health Insurance

General Information

What is Metro’s Policy Regarding Health Insurance?

Students taking 10 credit hours or more in the Fall and/or Spring semester, or 8 or more credit hours in the Summer semester are automatically billed for the Student Health Insurance. However, qualifying  students may request to waive out of the plan prior to the posted waiver deadline if they can provide proof of outside health insurance coverage that meets the College’s waiver standards. 

A waiver must be submitted electronically every Fall semester throughout your college career. If your waiver is approved for Fall semester, the waiver is valid until the next Fall semester, assuming you keep your health insurance active and in force throughout the academic year. Fall waivers are re-audited each Spring semester to verify that the insurance information you turned in for Fall semester is in fact still in force for Spring. If during the re-audit it is determined that you no longer have outside health insurance that meets the College’s waiver standards (and you are taking the required number of credit hours for insurance), you will be enrolled in the College sponsored plan and be required to pay the associated insurance charge.

If you start classes in the Spring or Summer semester a waiver must be submitted electronically for that semester and then again every Fall semester thereafter.

If you drop below the qualifying credit hours prior to the semester waiver deadline, your student health insurance will be removed, the charge refunded and you will not be covered by the College sponsored plan.

All waiver forms are audited for accuracy and verification of coverage will occur. Please be aware that falsifying submitted information is a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct and any associated disciplinary action may apply. Future waiver request may also be subject to denial if it is determined that you submitted information that was not accurate and truthful.

How To Waive Out Of The Plan

To improve the waiver process, the College has developed a new and more efficient waiver submission process. Effective immediately, all health insurance waivers must be submitted electronically. Prior to submitting a waiver it is your responsibility to thoroughly read the College Waiver Standards and instructions. This information is on-line when you access the Insurance Waiver Menu and is listed under the heading of  “College Waiver Standards”.

To access the on-line insurance waiver form complete the following:

• Click on the My Services/Registration tab within MetroConnect.
• Use your MetroConnect login and password to access My Services.
• Once you have logged in to My Services, click on the heading that is entitled, “Registration, Credit Card Payment, Student Records and Financial Aid Menu” from the Main Menu.
• Click on the “Insurance Waiver Menu” from the list of options that appear.
• Read the waiver instructions and the College Waiver Standards.
• If you qualify to submit a waiver, complete the electronic waiver form and submit.

Once you submit your waiver it will be audited for accuracy and verified to determine if it is approved as meeting all of the College Waiver Standards.

What are Metro's Waiver Standards for Proof of Outside Insurance Coverage?

Prior to submitting your waiver, you must confirm that your health insurance plan meets each of the minimum standards outlined below. Plans that do not meet each of these standards will not be approved for waiver purposes. Your health insurance plan must be in the form of individual or group health coverage that includes ALL of the following minimum requirements:

1. Have an annual deductible of $5,000 or less;
2. Benefits must include a minimum of $250,000 per occurrence, with no less than a 50% co-insurance for major medical coverage, which includes in-patient hospitalization and associated services, and episodic care coverage for lab work, x-rays, prescription medications, outpatient procedures and acute illnesses/injuries;
3. Plan is required to include mental/nervous benefits and must be paid at the following minimum levels: outpatient - 50% coinsurance or a co pay, with no less than a $1000 per year cap and/or 20 visits per
   year; inpatient – 70% coinsurance or a co pay, with no less than $10,000 per year cap.
   
4. Plan lifetime maximum benefit must not be lower than $250,000.

Disclaimer: The College’s acceptance of the above waiver standards does not infer or suggest that such benefit levels are adequate to meet each student’s needs. Please note that the waiver standards are not representative of the College sponsored plan’s benefit levels. For students comparing outside health insurance options it is extremely important that the plan selected will not only meet their anticipated needs, but also ensure adequate coverage for unforeseen medical expenses.

Short Term Medical Plans (STM) are not acceptable for waiver purposes,  since they are sold by the month or in 6 month periods and are not automatically renewable.

In addition, the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) is not insurance and cannot be used for waiver purposes.

The Health Center at Auraria:

The Health Center at Auraria provides on campus health care to any Metropolitan State College of Denver student enrolled for at least one credit hour. Students do NOT need to participate in the Student Health Insurance Program to use the Health Center at Auraria. However, for those students who do participate in the Student Health Insurance Program, all eligible health care services are covered 100%, with no deductible and no pre-existing exclusions.

Benefits at the Health Center for Students Participating in the Student Health Insurance Program:

• No out-of-pocket expenses (except for prescription co pays), 100% reimbursement for eligible expenses, no co-insurance.
• All prescription co-payments are $20.00; no limitation on Rx benefit for medications obtained at the Health Center at Auraria.
• 100% well-care benefit, which includes one annual preventative health examination, supplies and selected lab testing
• Pre-existing condition exclusions are waived for all services performed at the Health Center at Auraria
• No insurance claim paperwork to complete; this is done for the student by Health Center personnel

Community Preferred Provider Network Benefit:
The Student Health Insurance Plan provides "In-network" benefits through the First Health PPO Network group of hospitals and medical providers. Deductibles and co-insurance will apply when accessing these providers. Please
refer to the Metro State Health Insurance Benefit Plan 2008-2009 Comprehensive plan details

Summer Semester

Students who are enrolled on the Insurance plan in the Spring semester have the option of purchasing Summer insurance coverage without attending classes, or taking less than 8 credit hours, provided they fill out an enrollment form and pay the Summer Voluntary premium at the Insurance Office, by February 13, 2009, of $665. You will be able to purchase insurance for the Summer semester February 14, 2009 through June 4, 2009, but at an increased premium price of $1,380. Students taking 8 or more credit hours will be automatically assessed the Insurance Premium of $665.

Dependent Coverage
Students that are currently enrolled in the Health Insurance Plan, may obtain dependent coverage for their spouse or partner and children.

Eligible dependents include your lawful spouse (or common-law spouse) as defined by applicable state law residing with the Insured Student, Domestic Partner, natural children, stepchildren; children who, before reaching the age of 18 are either adopted by you or placed in your home for adoption; children for whom you are legal guardian, and dependent grandchildren. A dependent Child must be unmarried and rely on you for primary support and maintenance. To Enroll your Dependents: A Dependent Coverage Form must be filled out at the Student Insurance Office (Plaza 150).
Dependent Policy 2008-2009

Dental

Dental and Vision Discount Program - United Health Allies

Students who are currently enrolled in the College’s insurance plan can take advantage of this program at no additional cost, it is included with your benefits! UnitedHealth Allies offers savings on a variety of health and wellness services, including dental and vision services.  You’ll receive discounts of 10% to 35% on a variety of dental and vision services at thousands of providers nationwide. To find a provider, visit www.sr.unitedhealthallies.com.  Register using the member I.D. number provided on your UnitedHealth Allies discount card.  (The UnitedHealth Allies discount card will be mailed to you separately around the same time as you receive your student medical/rx insurance I.D. card.)  Then, simply select a dental or vision specialty and enter your zip code to get a list of participating providers. Once you have chosen a provider, click "Select Provider" to confirm your rate and print a copy of your Discount Confirmation Letter. Present your UnitedHealth Allies I.D. card and Discount Confirmation Letter to receive the negotiated discounts. 

If you have any questions, you may call UnitedHealth Allies’ Customer Service at
 (800) 860-8773, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Central Time.

Assurant Dental
A discount dental plan is available for purchase. Many preventive and diagnostic services are offered at a low or no co-payment amount. The dental plan includes a vision discount plan through Vision Service Plan (VSP). Contact the Student Health Insurance Office with additional questions 303.556.3873.
How to Enroll in Dental Care (pdf)
Application Packet (pdf)
Directory of Dentists
www.vsp.com

Community College of Denver's Dental Hygiene Clinic is also available to Auraria Students during the Fall and Spring semesters. For appointments call 303.365.8338.