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Health Insurance After Graduation
Contents:
Introduction
Selecting a Plan
Contact Information
Definition of terms used (HMO, PPO, etc.)
Insurance After Graduation Workshops
If you are a SHIP member who will be graduating this semester, or if
you are losing SHIP eligibility because you are no longer a registered
student at UC Berkeley, it is important to plan ahead for continuing
health coverage. A variety of plans are available to you once your SHIP
coverage expires. Plan types include short-term coverage, individual
plans with low deductibles or co-payments, a conversion plan for persons
with ongoing medical conditions, and public health insurance programs.
Upcoming workshops:
- Wednesday July 22, 2009 2:00-4:00pm.
- Thursday August 13, 2009 2:00-4:00pm.
Both workshops will be held at the Tang Center, first floor, Education
Center, 2222 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94720
Please RSVP to ship@uhs.berkeley.edu.
Contact the Student Health Insurance Office at (510) 642-5700 for additional
information or workshop questions.
Download: Flyer,
Presentation.
| Introduction |
If you are a SHIP member who will be graduating this semester,
or if you are losing SHIP eligibility because you are no longer
a registered student at UC Berkeley, it is important to plan ahead
for continuing health coverage.
If your final semester is a spring semester, your last day of
SHIP coverage is August 14. If your final semester is a
fall semester, your last day of SHIP coverage is January 14.
The Student Health Insurance Office holds workshops twice a year
in the summer and winter. Contact the Student Health Insurance
Office if you would like a copy of the most recent workshop presentation.
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| Selecting a Plan |
A variety of plans are available for you to purchase once your
SHIP coverage expires. Plan types include short term coverage,
individual plans with low deductibles or co-payments, a conversion
plan for persons with ongoing medical conditions, and public health
insurance programs.
Click
here to view a comparison of several selected plans.
This comparison chart summarizes the comparable premiums, deductibles,
and benefits for a variety of plans. The major carriers in California
- such as Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser, and Health Net
- have more plans available, with different combinations of premiums,
deductibles and benefits, than we have room to include here. For
more complete plan details, or for information about other plans,
you may contact a broker or the insurer directly.
If you would like to speak with someone at the Student Health
Insurance Office for more information, please call (510) 642-5700
to schedule an appointment. The Student Health Insurance Office
is located on the third floor of the Tang Center. We are happy
to work with you to help you fully understand your options.
NOTE: We recommend you call us or stop by the office to obtain
a Certificate of Group Health Plan Coverage as proof of
your continuous insurance coverage. This may help you to avoid
being subject to pre-existing condition exclusions when you sign
up for a new health insurance plan.
Plan brochures and/or enrollment packets are available in the
Student Health Insurance Office for these companies: Anthem Blue
Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente and Health Net.
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| Contact Information |
Brokers:
- Saylor and Hill Co.
Saylor and Hill Co., which is the broker for SHIP, can provide
assistance with selecting and applying for a plan. There is
no fee for their service. Visit http://www.saylorhill.com/individual_health.html
or call (510) 273-8888.
- E-Health Insurance
E-Health Insurance is a licensed online broker that allows you
to get quotes, compare plans, and apply for health insurance
online. Visit http://www.ehealthinsurance.com
or call (800) 977-8860.
- Marsh Affinity Group Services
Marsh Affinity Group Services is the broker for Blue Shield
plans offered through the California Alumni Association to UC
Berkeley alumni, including new graduates. Rates
are slightly discounted and newly graduated seniors may be eligible
for "guaranteed acceptance" by paying a higher premium.
Visit http://alumni.berkeley.edu/Discounts_and_Services/main.asp
and click on "Finance and Insurance," or call (877)
249-7868.
For more information about the insurance plans included in
this chart:
PPO and HMO insurance plans:
Anthem Blue Cross
PPO, HMO and Short-Term plans
(800) 777-6000
http://www.anthem.com/ca
"Tonik" plans
(866) 333-4820
http://www.tonikhealth.com/ca
Blue Shield of California
(800) 660-3007
http://www.blueshieldca.com
Kaiser Permanente
Northern California Region
(800) 232-5100
https://www.Kaiserpermanente.org
Health Net
(800) 909-3447
http://www.healthnet.com
Public Health Insurance Programs
Medi-Cal
California Department of Health Care Services
(800) 430-4263 (Health Care Options)
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/
Alameda County Social Services Department
(510) 777-2300 (toll free (800) 698-1118)
http://www.alamedasocialservices.org/public/services/medical_care/
Major Risk Medical Insurance Plan
(800) 289-6574
http://www.mrmib.ca.gov/
Other Insurance Plans in California:
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| Definitions |
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| Co-pay |
The amount of money you need to pay out-of-pocket for services
in addition to insurance carrier payment. |
| Coinsurance |
Percentage of fees for services you must pay, in addition to what
the plan pays. |
| Deductible |
The amount of money you need to pay out of pocket before the insurance
carrier will pay for medical services. |
| Guaranteed Issue |
A legal requirement that health plans must permit you to enroll
regardless of your health status, age, gender, or other factors
that might predict your use of health services. This means that
you cannot be denied insurance because of your medical history. |
| HMO |
Health Maintenance Organization. A pre-paid health plan in which
you must choose a primary care physician who coordinates all your
care. |
| Inpatient |
Services rendered in a hospital after you are admitted, typically
involving an overnight stay. |
| Limited Benefit PPO |
Some PPO plans have lower premiums because certain
benefits are not included, such as maternity or full prescription
drug plans. |
| PPO |
Preferred Provider Plan. A group of medical providers
who contract with an insurance carrier to provide the insured with
reduced rates. |
| Preferred, Participating or In-Network
Providers |
Providers that accept a negotiated or contracted
rate from the insurance company as full payment for services. |
| Premium |
The rate you pay to be enrolled in an insurance plan,
usually monthly. |
Also see: UHS Eligibility
Schedule (Time limits on when students can use UHS)
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