Courses 
 
 Forms 
 

   Current Students
Thursday, August 28, 2008
SEARCH
 

Graduate Student Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is covered by the health insurance program? Students on an appointment (.25 FTE and greater) as a fellow, graduate assistant (GA), teaching assistant/associate (TA) and research assistant/associate (RA) will be covered effective fall 2004.

2. Does this include international students? Yes, this includes all students on appointment as identified above.

3. Where may I obtain the insurance? Health insurance is available from the approved insurance provider as negotiated annually by Student Government. The University of Florida is working to have other providers available, particularly for international students.

4. Who is the current provider and what plans are available? Scarborough Insurance Company is the current provider (352-377-2002). The available plans can be viewed at http://www.scarins.com. As yet, arrangements for payroll deduction have not been worked out with other providers.

5. How much will be covered? The University of Florida will cover up to $400 per year (fall, spring and summer) toward health insurance as a fringe benefit. You can use this subsidy to cover whatever approved plan best suits your needs.

6. What is the subsidized cost by semester? The subsidized insurance benefit will not exceed $400 annually ($157 fall, $145 spring, and $98 for the summer semester) or the total cost of the insurance product, which ever is less. It will only be paid during semesters that you are enrolled and have a health insurance deduction.

7. How much are the premiums? Plan A (coverage for most services at the UF Student Health Center) costs approximately $310 (age 25 and under). A major medical policy for an individual student (Plan B) costs about $1100 (age 25 and under). The complete table of premium rates is available at http://www.scarins.com/images/domestic.pdf.

8. How does the funding work? Each funding source (state or grants) for a covered graduate student provides its proportional share each pay period (just as regular faculty health insurance benefits are paid by UF).

9. What if I choose a plan that costs more than $400? You will be financially liable for the remaining costs, which must be taken through payroll deduction so that it comes from pre-tax dollars.

10. May my department or PI cover the entire cost? No, the maximum subsidy for this plan is $400 per year for eligible students.

11. What if I am covered under another plan, i.e., a spouse's plan? Can I still receive the benefit?The subsidy cannot be used to defray the costs of another plan. It is only available to students who meet the eligibility requirements, which includes payments through payroll deduction.

12. Will I receive this benefit in the summer if I am on a nine-month appointment for fall and spring? To receive the benefit for summer, you must purchase the annual plan or the spring/summer option. The premium costs will be deducted at a higher rate during the fall and spring to cover the summer premium. The intent is to encourage summer coverage for students on nine-month appointments.

13. Contact Scarborough Company at 377-2002 or http://www.scarins.com, decide on the policy, complete the on-line application form US or International and the payroll deduction form. Once the payroll deduction form is complete, you may either mail it to Scarborough Insurance or fax it to them at (352) 376-8393.
 

14. The student health insurance program requires that I sign-up by August 14. What should I do?Contact Scarborough and enroll immediately. You will need to pay a portion of the premium, about $100. Once you begin receiving your paycheck, the remainder of the premium will be deducted from your payroll. If you have already paid the full premium for the semester, contact Scarborough for assistance.

15. Who is the contact for information about enrollment? Questions regarding your enrollment in this plan should be addressed to Scarborough Company. Questions related to payroll deductions can be directed to University Benefits and Retirement at 392-1225. This FAQ will be posted and updated, as needed, on the Graduate School website at http://gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu under "current students." All graduate coordinators and graduate staff will be informed of the general benefits program and may be able to help with general questions.

16. Where do I go to sign-up for payroll deduction? The payroll deduction form is on the Scarborough website at http://www.scarins.com.

17. What do you mean by a pre-tax benefit? Pre-tax means your insurance premiums are deducted before federal income tax and FICA (social security) taxes have been calculated. As a result, you save money because you do not have to pay taxes on the portion of your salary used for insurance premiums.

18. By when do I need to sign up for insurance coverage? For first-time appointments, you have to sign-up within 30 days of the start of classes in order to be covered for that term. Students who have Scarborough coverage expiring 8/14/04, have a deadline of 30 days from that date to re-enroll with no lapse of coverage. If you re-enroll after that time, coverage is subject to a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion. The fall semester enrollment cutoff is 30 days from the 1st day of class. If you have questions, call the Scarborough Company at 352-377-2002.

19. I like the program, but can insurance costs be reduced? The best way to reduce premium rates is to expand the pool of participants. The University of Florida is exploring many options with the objective being to provide adequate health insurance at a reasonable cost.

20. How do I maintain my eligibility for health insurance? You must be on an appointment as a fellow or graduate assistant (RA, TA, GA) for 0.25 FTE or greater per semester and appropriately registered.

 

  Phone: (352) 392-0841
Fax: (352) 392-3076 		Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences
217 A.P. Black Hall, P.O. Box 116450, University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, 32611-6450 		Send Us Feedback:
  
 
Copyright © 1995 - 2005