Student Health Insurance and Optional Dental Insurance ProgramNorthwestern University requires all full-time students to maintain health insurance that meets University’s standards. This requirement is designed to protect students from extraordinary medical expenses that could result from an injury or illness. Northwestern University is currently contracted with the Chickering Group to manage coverage and benefits provided by the Aetna Insurance Company. The group policy number for the NU plan is 812845.
New International Student Requirement
All new incoming International Students are required to enroll in the NU/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan. Returning International Students are exempt from this requirement. Please Note: New students and students returning from a leave of abscence must decline or accept coverage under the Northwestern student health insurance plan by OCTOBER 1, 2010. Students that do not make an election by the deadline to enroll or waive coverage under the NU health insurance plan will be automatically enrolled in the NU health plan and charged an annual premium. You will not be able to appeal automatic enrollment at this point. To accept or decline participation in the Northwestern University student health insurance plan click here.
About Student Health Insurance Plan Benefits
The annual premium cost for 2010-11 is $2,466. The full amount of your insurance premium will be applied to your tuition account upon enrollment. Your insurance card will be mailed to your current address within 2-3 weeks of your enrollment being processed. The Student Insurance Plan carries a $250.00 annual (policy year) deductible that must be met before covered medical expense claims are paid with the exception of behavioral health services, prescription drugs, OBGYN, and care received at the Student Health Service Office. However, medical expenses incurred for services without a prior referral obtained are subject to a $500 deductible per condition in addition to any Co pay or Deductible which may apply. Please refer to the Student Health Insurance Plan Brochure for information about services that require medical referrals. The aggregate maximum is $500,000 per person policy year with the following benefits for using preferred care providers: - 80% of the negotiated charge for impatient overnight stay
- 80% of the negotiated charge for physician office visits after $20.00 per visit co-payment
For further information about Student Insurance Plan Benefits, Please refer to the Northwestern University - Student Health Plan Brochure at: http://www.nuhs.northwestern.edu/
Enrolling Dependents
Students who wish to enroll their spouse and dependent children in the student health insurance plan may do so during the annual open enrollment period unless there is a qualifying event change that will permit you to enroll mid-year. The 2010-11 annual premium amount for spouse and child is T.B.A. Please Note - the benefits provided under the Student Health Insurance Plan cover treatment for hospitalization and illness only. Coverage for routine physical exams and/or well baby care are not covered under this plan. Please review the information in the Student Health Plan Brochure regarding dependent coverage and weigh your options before electing to enroll your family in the NU Student Health Insurance Plan.
Waiving Participation in the Student Health Insurance Plan
Incoming students who choose to waive participation in the student health insurance plan, must decline participation through their CAESAR account by the annual enrollment deadline, otherwise the student will be automatically enrolled in the university plan, and will not be able to terminate coverage until the next open enrollment period. Current students who waived their participation in the student health insurance plan during the previous academic year and wish to continue waiving their coverage option do not need to make any changes to their status. However, if the student has previously enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan and wishes to waive coverage for the upcoming academic year, the student will need to enroll online via their CAESAR account by the annual open enrollment deadline and provide proof of health insurance coverage that meets University standards.
Enrolling Mid-Year
Current students and their dependents who are not enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan and wish to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan mid-year may do if there is a significant life change(i.e. marriage, birth, loss of job, loss of parent's insurance). The on-line enrollment available through CAESAR may be closed during that time and a Coverage Selection Form must be completed returned within 30 days of the qualifying event change or else you will need to wait until the next open annual enrollment period to enroll. To obtain a copy of the Coverage Selection Form, please contact, Linda Daniels at: l-daniels2@northwestern.edu or (312)503-0440
Coverage Options During a Leave of Absence from School
- If you would like to remain enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan during a personal leave of absence, you are eligible to keep your coverage for the remainder of the academic coverage year, if you were registered for classes during the first 31 days of the annual coverage period, September 1 - October 1. However, if you do not return to school the following academic year, your participation in the health insurance plan will automatically terminate after August 31.
- Students who are on a leave of abscene may be eligible under certain conditions to remain enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. Please contact Linda Daniels at l-daniels2@northwestern.edu for instructions on how to extend participation in the plan.
- If you wish to terminate your coverage upon leaving the university, you will need to contact the Student Health Insurance Office at (847)491-2113 or 2114 and submit a written request.
Optional Dental Insurance Plan Coverage
Students that are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Program are also eligible to enroll in the Chickering Group Aetna Advantage Dental Plan. Students have the flexibility to enroll on an annual or quarterly basis. In order to enroll you must log onto the Chickering Website, complete the enrollment form and submit your dental premium payment directly to the insurance company. Dental Insurance Enrollment Instructions - Log onto The Chickering Group Website at: http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/
- Find "Student Connection" on the upper right section of the page
- Click on "Find Your School"
- Then click on "Dental" for specific information on how to enroll
- The policy number for Northwestern University is: 812845
For more specific information about policy benefits, claim processing or enrollment options, Feinberg medical students can contact:
Linda Daniels
Coordinator for Student Support Services
l-daniels2@northwestern.edu
Augusta Webster Office for Medical Education
303 E. Chicago Ave., Ward 1-003
Chicago, IL 60611
(312)503-0440 Wendy Weaver
Insurance Representative III
Student Insurance Advocate
w-weaver@northwestern.edu
357 E. Chicago Ave., Room 131
Chicago, IL 60611
(312)503-1242 or (847)491-2113
Office Hours: 10:30 am - 2:30pm Tuesday & Thursday | 
