Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

What options are available if I am not currently enrolled in SHSP? What is the Student Health Subsidy Program?

How long will my coverage last if I am a current enrollee?

Will my coverage continue through the summer if I am not enrolled in summer classes at MSU?

Is the Student Health Subsidy Program an insurance plan?

What is the difference between the SHSP and MSU's student health insurance plan through The Chickering Group?

Does the Student Health Subsidy Program replace or enhance the MSU student health insurance plan?

What services are covered?

Does SHSP pay for University-recommended immunizations, or for vaccines for MSU Study Abroad programs?

Are there any co-pays or deductibles?

What does it cost?

How does the program work? Who is responsible for processing all SHSP claims and who should I contact with any questions?

Are all prescription drugs covered?

Can I get my prescriptions filled outside of Olin? If I am referred to an out-of-network provider by Olin Health Center, where should the provider send the bill?

What else will the Student Health Subsidy Program provide?     What options are available if I am not currently enrolled in SHSP? If you are not currently enrolled under the program, you may qualify for other types of assistance.  Alternative options for uninsured individuals may be available.

What is the Student Health Subsidy Program? For current enrollees, the program provides health care support and prescription drug coverage for qualifying low-income MSU students and their spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partners of graduate assistants.

How long will my coverage last if I am a current enrollee? Coverage for current enrollees will end August 14, 2007.  Since SHSP coverage will no longer be available to you in the future, we strongly encourage you to begin seeking alternative options for your future health-related expenses during the 2007/2008 academic year.

Will my coverage continue through the summer if I am not enrolled in summer classes at MSU? If you are enrolled in MSU classes during the spring semester, you will be covered through August 14, 2007, even if you are not enrolled in classes at MSU during the summer.  If you are away from the MSU East Lansing campus during the summer, prescriptions can be filled at any Pharmacare participating pharmacy. Treatment however must continue to be received from Olin Health Center during the summer months.

Is the Student Health Subsidy Program an insurance plan? The Student Health Subsidy Program is NOT an insurance plan.  SHSP offers coverage for limited services at Olin Health Center only.

What is the difference between the SHSP and MSU's student health insurance plan through The Chickering Group? There is a distinct difference between SHSP and insurance coverage. The MSU student health insurance plan through The Chickering Group is an illness and injury insurance plan that covers a variety of health care services including unlimited office visits at Olin Health Center, prescriptions up to an annual maximum of $2,000, diagnostic treatment such as lab work and x-rays, hospitalization and specialty care. Premium payment is required to enroll in the MSU student health insurance plan. The Student Health Subsidy Program is not an insurance plan. SHSP is a subsidy program that offers unlimited office visits, limited medical/dental services and University-recommended immunizations at Olin Health Center, and prescription coverage up to an annual maximum of $1,400. SHSP is intended for MSU students and their spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner of graduate assistants that have no means of obtaining health insurance, and there is no payment required to enroll in SHSP. You should not apply for SHSP if you are enrolled in the MSU student health insurance plan or have other health insurance coverage.

Does the Student Health Subsidy Program replace or enhance the MSU student health insurance plan? SHSP does not replace or enhance any type of insurance you may have. The program is intended for MSU students and their spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner of graduate assistants, who have no means of obtaining health insurance.

What services are covered? SHSP currently covers the following services.  However, SHSP reserves the right to modify or cancel any coverage levels in the future.   An unlimited number of medical office visits (at Olin Health Center). Prescription drug benefit up to $1,400 annually (at participating pharmacies and Olin Health Center). University-recommended immunizations including:  Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Tetanus/Diphtheria, Meningococcus, and TB skin tests (at Olin Health Center). University-recommended travel immunizations and medications for MSU Study Abroad (at Olin Health Center). Laboratory and Radiology benefit up to $2,000 for the plan year. Dental Services -  50 percent of costs incurred up to the plan year maximum of $250 (at Olin Health Center). Physical Therapy - $500 limit for plan year (at Olin Health Center). Family Planning Services including lab fees for pap smears and office visits fees that are not covered by the university subsidy for student health services.  Contraceptives including all oral contraceptives and other contraceptive methods (including but not limited to Depo-Provera, Nuraring, Ortho Evra Patch, and IUD). Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings For women under 40 years of age with abnormal pap smears, colposcopies and treatment covered. For women 40-49 years of age screenings and diagnostic mammograms.  Pap smear lab fees and pelvic exam/office visit fees not covered by the university subsidy for student health services will be covered. For women age 50 and older will be directed to one of the authorized Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) locations, which may include Olin Health Center during the plan year. Specialist Referrals (including mental health referrals) authorized by Olin Health Center, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.  The specialty rates will be reimbursed at the prevailing Medicaid rate.  (Does not apply to Emergency Room visits.)

Does SHSP pay for University-recommended immunizations, or for vaccines for MSU Study Abroad programs? SHSP covers University-recommended immunizations (at Olin Health Center) which are: Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Tetanus/Diphtheria, and Meningococcus. SHSP also covers University-recommended travel immunizations and medications for MSU Study Abroad (at Olin Health Center).

Are there any co-pays or deductibles? There will be a co-pay for prescription drugs. You will be responsible for a $5 co-pay for generic drugs and a $10 co-pay for brand-name drugs. There are no co-pays or deductibles for office visits or immunizations.

What does it cost? There is no cost to enroll in SHSP. You will only have out-of-pocket costs for prescription drug co-pays.

How does the program work? If your application for SHSP is approved, you will be able to print an ID card from the status screen on the SHSP online enrollment system. You can present this card to Olin Health Center and to Pharmacare participating pharmacies. The Student Health Subsidy Program will pay for covered services, and you will be billed for any uncovered treatment received.  You will not receive an ID card in the mail.

Who is responsible for processing all SHSP claims and who should I contact with any questions? Effective January 1, 2006, Health Advantage is the third party administrator for the SHSP.  This means that Health Advantage is responsible for processing all claims under the program.  If you have questions regarding claims processing and/or payments, you can contact Health Advantage's Customer Service Center toll-free at (888) 327-0671.   Are all prescription drugs covered? Not all drugs are covered. Check the limited formulary list for covered prescriptions.

Can I get my prescriptions filled outside of Olin? You can have your prescriptions filled at any Pharmacare participating pharmacy. Although prescriptions do not need to be filled at Olin Health Center Pharmacy or the MSU Clinical Center Pharmacy and the co-pay is the same at all participating pharmacies, it may be more cost effective to have prescriptions filled on campus due to their discounted rates on many prescriptions. This will allow the $1,400 annual maximum to cover more prescriptions.   If I am referred to an out-of-network provider by Olin Health Center, where should the provider send the bill? If you are referred to an out-of-network provider by Olin Health Center, the provider should send all claims/billing information directly to Health Advantage.  Health Advantage is SHSP's third party administrator who is responsible for processing all claims under the program.  Without this information, the provider will not be able to process your claim.  Health Advantage's billing address, which is included on your identification card, is as follows: Health Advantage P.O. Box 1511 Flint, Michigan 48501-1511

What else will the Student Health Subsidy Program provide? At Olin Health Center students and their families can receive additional assistance in accessing other health care programs and services for which they may be eligible.