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Student Health Insurance Program

New Students

Beginning classes in June, August or September can waive once you are notified by the Office of Admissions by clicking on this link (or scroll down to the section "Students Who Have Insurance Through Another Source").

Returning Students

The waiver process for Fall begins around June 1, however, your waiver will not be immediately reflected. If you were waived in the prior Spring semester, your waiver will be transferred. You do not need to re-waive UNLESS YOUR ENROLLMENT STATUS OR HEALTH INSURANCE HAS CHANGED.

For an overview of the Student Health Insurance Program Benefits, including co-pays and what services are provided, click here:

Information about the mandatory health insurance school policy

You can also obtain additional information about the policy, a listing of local participating providers and hospitals, and other information about the policy here.

Overview

The SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (DHSU) requires that the following registered, matriculated students have health insurance:

  • All medical students, All full-time undergraduate students (12 or more credits), All full-time graduate students (9 or more credits)
  • All part-time students engaged in clinical course work

Any student who currently has health insurance through the SUNY Downstate School plan and will not have other coverage through a residency position on August 1, is eligible to purchase continuing coverage from the broker who handles our insurance. You only have 30 days from the end of coverage (July 31), to complete your enrollment. Please contact:

Ms. Paula Hyman
Health Sciences Assurance Consulting, Inc.
2477 Stickney Point Road, Suite 207B
Sarasota, Florida 34231
(888) 978-8355
E-mail: paula@hsac.com

About the Student Health Insurance

Information about the mandatory health insurance school policy for all enrolled students is available in the Office of Student Affairs. UnitedHealthcare StudentResources is the insurance carrier for the policy and specific questions regarding enrollment or benefits should be directed to DHSU's insurance broker, Ms. Paula Hyman, Health Sciences Assurance Consulting (HSAC), Inc. which is contracted through the Faculty Student Association of Downstate. The HSAC toll-free telephone number is (888) 978-8355.

UnitedHealthcare StudentResources also provides a personal website to access things like claims status, temporary ID cards, Explanation of Benefits and the ability to locate providers. To register, simply select the “Create Your Online Account Now” link from the top right corner of the home page http://www.uhcsr.com under the brown header labeled “Direct Links”. You should only need your name, date of birth and email address (try personal if your school email doesn't work) to sign-up. If you are trying to register, and have received your medical ID card, you can use your SR ID number instead of your email to complete the registration process. If you cannot access your personalized insurance website and keep getting an error message, contact HSAC at the number/e-mail below. This web site is already active for you.

Cost

Semester Insurance Cost Notes
Fall 2023
(Aug – Dec 2023)
$3,253.75  A total charge of $3,275 will appear on your student bill. This amount includes the administrative fee charged by SUNY Downstate. New students who began classes in Sept, 2023 will be charged a pro-rated lower amount as you are only paying for coverage from Sept – Dec 2023.
Spring 2024
(Jan – Jul 2024)
$4,555.25 A total charge of $4585 will appear on your student bill. This amount includes the administrative fee charged by SUNY Downstate.
Summer 2024
(Jun – Jul 2024)
$1,301.50 New students only starting classes in Summer 2024 only. A total charge of $1310 will appear on your student bill. This amount includes the administrative fee charged by SUNY Downstate.

Students may enroll in the Student Health Insurance plan when they are first eligible. Following initial enrollment, students may elect to enroll only on the plan year anniversary date (August 1st) or Spring term enrollment (January 1st). Please note that the Fall coverage period (included in your Fall charges) is August 1 – December 31 (five months) and the Spring coverage period (included in your Spring charges) is January 1 – July 31 (7 months). New students beginning at Downstate in the Summer semester are charged for two months of coverage in the Summer semester (June 1 – July 31). If coverage is needed for your spouse and/or children, you should contact:

Ms. Paula Hyman
Health Sciences Assurance Consulting, Inc.
2477 Stickney Point Road, Suite 207B
Sarasota, Florida 34231
(888) 978-8355
E-mail: paula@hsac.com

Individual Coverage

Students will pay the individual coverage premium at registration. Students may choose to purchase additional coverage for dependents (spouse and/or children) by directly contacting the broker and paying the additional premium to the carrier. Enrollment forms are available in the Student Services Center, Basic Sciences Building Room 1-112.

Students Who Currently Have Health Insurance Through Another Source

You may waive student health insurance charges through our health insurance provider only if you can provide information indicating comparable health insurance coverage through another source (e.g., parents, employed spouse, employer) on the waiver system. Students who wish to waive insurance coverage must have coverage equal to or greater than the SUNY Downstate policy. Students who waive the DHSU's health insurance are responsible for all physician bills, hospitalization and medical bills, and related expenses such as diagnostic testing. However, they are still eligible for the services provided by the physicians and nurses of the Student Health Service.

  • Go to the Student Health Insurance Program Information & Waiver System
    • Current Students: May waive through the first day of classes
    • New students: beginning classes in June, August or September can waive once you are notified by the Office of Admissions by clicking on this link (or scrolling down to the "Students Who Have Insurance Through Another Source").
    • Fall Returning Students: the waiver process for Fall begins around June 1, however, your waiver will not be immediately reflected. If you were waived in the prior Spring semester, your waiver will be transferred. You do not need to re-waive UNLESS YOUR ENROLLMENT STATUS OR HEALTH INSURANCE HAS CHANGED.

You are automatically billed for health insurance. If you do not waive the health insurance charges by the registration deadline, your enrollment in the student health insurance insurance will be finalized and is non-refudable. You will need to submit a waiver for the next semester. Please note: You will be permitted to waive up through the deadline below, however, you should note that if you are submitting a waiver for the Fall, your charge will be waived retroactive to August 1 and your insurance will be cancelled as of August 1 ONLY if United Healthcare Student Resources has not paid any claims. (If any claim has been paid, you will remain enrolled and will be responsible for the premium.) If you are submitting a waiver for the Spring, your charge will be waived retroactive to January 1 and your insurance will be cancelled as of January 1 ONLY if United Healthcare Student Resources has not paid any claims.

The Student Health Insurance waiver system is operated by HSA Consulting and your coverage will be verified prior to the charge being removed from your bill. The process will take 3-5 business days from the date you submit your waiver. In addition, you will only have to waive once and will no longer be required to waive annually (unless your coverage changes). You will receive an e-mail from HSA Consulting when your waiver has been approved. If you have any questions about the system, you should contact HSA Consulting at:

Ms. Paula Hyman
Health Sciences Assurance Consulting, Inc.
2477 Stickney Point Road, Suite 207B
Sarasota, Florida 34231
(888) 978-8355
E-mail: paula@hsac.com

Please note: You will be required to enter your information, including your Student ID number and Social Security Number, into the HSA Consulting web site. This is required as most Health Insurance providers use the social security number to verify coverage. Be sure to enter the two numbers accurately or they may be unable to verify your coverage and your waiver may not post to your student account correctly. Insurance enrollment will be periodically verified randomly to ensure all students are compliant with SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University policy that requires you to maintain active insurance throughout your enrollment. You are responsible to inform the Student Affairs office if your coverage is changed or terminate for any reason.

  • Student Health Insurance Program Information & Waiver System
    • Current Students: May Waive Through the First Day of Classes
    • New students: beginning classes in June, August or September can waive once you are notified by the Office of Admissions by clicking on this link (or scrolling down to the "Students Who Have Insurance Through Another Source").
    • Fall Returning Students: the waiver process for Fall begins approximately June 1, however, your waiver will not be immediately reflected. If you were waived in the prior Spring semester, your waiver will be transferred. You do not need to re-waive UNLESS YOUR ENROLLMENT STATUS OR HEALTH INSURANCE HAS CHANGED.

Special Note about insurance obtained through Medicaid, other State-sponsored programs, or through the US Affordable Care Act

Students who obtain insurance through a State-sponsored Health Insurance Plan (Medicaid) and/or those who are able to re-initiate their coverage under their parents insurance due to the Affordable Health Care for America Act must wait until the next selection period (August 1 or January 1) to waive the Student Health Insurance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student Affairs.

College of Medicine - Disability Insurance

The College of Medicine provides for a Disability Insurance Policy for all students while enrolled in the College of Medicine. The policy provided is located here:

Students in the School of Graduate Studies

Please note that students in the School of Graduate Studies are required to maintain health insurance, however, health insurance is usually provided as a benefit of employment. Even though enrollment in the NYS Employee Empire Plan (NYSHIP) is provided as a benefit, students who receive this benefit must still waive the Student Health Insurance charge using the on-line waiver system at least once per year.

Dental Program

The Dental Program has been discontinued.