Student Academic Appointees & Fellowship Recipients
Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment

How do I enroll on the IU Student Academic Appointee or IU Fellowship Recipient plan?

Student Academic Appointees (SAA): No action is required for those that meet the eligibility requirements. Once the department or academic office has completed the SAA hire process, an email will be sent to the eligible individual’s IU email address to notify them of their automatic enrollment in the plan.

Fellowship Recipients: No action is required for those that meet the eligibility requirements. Upon disbursement of the eligible fellowship award(s) on the student’s bursar account, and the student’s enrollment in at least 6 credit hours, an email will be sent to the eligible individuals IU email address to notify them of their automatic enrollment in the plan. Eligible fellowship awards must be posted to the graduate student’s bursar account by the deadline for enrollment. (Fall deadline: September 30th; Spring deadline: January 31st) 

*Please note that the university does not require all students to have health insurance coverage and we do not offer a student insurance plan that allows voluntary enrollment for graduate students. If you have additional questions regarding health insurance coverage, please contact the Student Health Insurance Coordinator at for additional information.

If I have comparable coverage can I waive enrollment in the plan?

Yes. If you wish to waive coverage due to having comparable coverage, you can submit a completed Waiver Form by the deadline. (Fall deadline: September 30th; Spring deadline: January 31st) 

How do I enroll my dependents on my plan?

If you choose to enroll an eligible dependent on your plan(s), you must submit a completed Dependent Enrollment Form and supporting documentation (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) by the enrollment deadline (September 30 for the Fall, January 31 for the Spring).

Can I enroll myself or a dependent after the deadline?

You can enroll yourself (or a dependent) after the deadline only if there has been a significant life change known as an IRS-qualifying life event, such as marriage, the birth of a child, loss of prior coverage, or arrival in the United States.

If a completed enrollment form and supporting documentation is submitted within 30 days of the qualifying event, coverage will be backdated to the date of the event. If submitted after the 30 day enrollment period, it will not be accepted, and you must wait until the next annual open enrollment period.

Contact the Student Health Insurance Specialist at for instructions and enrollment forms.

Can I waive/terminate coverage for myself or a dependent after the deadline?

You can waive/terminate enrollment for yourself (or a dependent) after the deadline only if there has been a significant life change known as an IRS-qualifying life event, such as marriage, the birth of a child, loss of prior coverage, or arrival in the United States.

If a completed enrollment form is submitted within 30 days of the qualifying event, coverage will be terminated as of the date of the event. If submitted after the 30 day enrollment period, it will not be accepted, and you must wait until the next annual open enrollment period to waive/terminate coverage.

Contact the Student Health Insurance Specialist at for instructions and enrollment forms.

What are the monthly premiums for dependents?

Medical Monthly
Premium
Dental Monthly
Premium
Total Monthly
Premium
2023
Spouse*
$918.71
$19.75
$938.46
Child(ren)*
$694.50
$29.66
$724.16

Review the Eligibility and Enrollment Guidelines to verify your dependent’s eligibility for coverage. Dependents can only be covered for the same period of coverage as the appointee.
Eligible dependents must be enrolled by submitting the following items to IU Human Resources by the enrollment deadline:

  • Complete and sign the Dependent Enrollment Form and attach the following items:
  • A copy of supporting documentation (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
  • Premium payment for the first month of coverage (thereafter, payment is due the first of each month)

Dependent Enrollment Deadlines:

  • Fall: September 30
  • Spring/Summer: January 31

*For the School of Medicine Postdoctoral Fellows, dependent premiums for all eligible dependents are fully paid by the university.

ID Cards

When should I expect to receive my ID card?

Student Academic Appointees: Anthem with send you an ID card to your home address on file within 10-14 business days of your date of hire or email notification date, whichever is later. This card should be used for all medical, vision, and prescription services. Cigna does not issue physical ID cards for your dental coverage, but a digital ID card is available by creating an account at myCigna.com or by downloading the MyCigna app.

Fellowship Recipients: Anthem will send you an ID card to your student home address within 10-14 business days from the email notification date. This card should be used for all medical, dental, vision, and prescription services.

I have not yet received my ID card, what should I do?

Start by confirming that your home address in One.IU is up to date. This information is automatically provided to the university’s benefit vendors.

Coverage & Claims

What type of coverage do I have?

Eligible graduate students have medical (including vision and prescription), dental, and life insurance.

  • Student Academic Appointees:
    • Anthem medical, vision, and prescription (one Anthem ID card)
    • Cigna dental insurance (No physical ID card)
  • Fellowship Recipient:
    • Anthem medical, vision, prescription, and dental (one Anthem ID card)
  • Fellowship Recipients and SAAs:
    • Anthem life insurance

If you have additional questions regarding health insurance coverage, contact the Student Health Insurance Coordinator at for additional information.

How do I file a medical or prescription claim?

In most situations, your provider will file the claim for you. If this does not happen, you can file claims yourself using the claim forms below. These forms provide full instructions to file and receive reimbursement.

How do I check the status of a claim?

Begin by making sure that the insurance provider has received the claim. If two months or more has passed, you should log in to the Sydney Health app to check the claim status or call the insurance provider to see if they have received the bill. It is important that you keep up with the claims you submit, because the insurance plan has a 90-day filing deadline. If the insurance provider doesn't receive the bill for the first time within 90 days, the claim may be rejected as being beyond the filing deadline. If they claim to have lost or never received the claim, ask the provider’s office to resend or fax the claim, verifying the address where they are sending it as well as the patient ID number.

How do I view my claims online?

You can view all of your claims online by logging in to Anthem.com or the Sydney Health app. If you don’t have an account, you can register for one using your 10-digit IU student ID number.

How do I find out if a prescription is covered by my plan?

Student Academic Appointees:

Fellowship Recipients:

What services related to pregnancy are covered by the plan?

Maternity services are covered as any other medical condition and are subject to the same deductibles, coinsurance/copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Review the medical plan summary and booklet for your plan for details.

Can I add my spouse to my plan if they become pregnant?

No. Pregnancy is not considered an IRS-qualifying life event that would allow you to add them to your plan during the year. Dependents must be enrolled during the annual Open Enrollment period or within 30 days of an IRS-qualifying life event, such as marriage or the birth of a child.

Healthcare & Emergency Assistance While Travelling

What should I do if I need medical or dental care while traveling?

Learn how to find medical, vision, prescription, or dental care while traveling within the United States or internationally by visiting the SAA & Fellowship Recipient Travel Coverage page.

Who do I call if I need emergency medical care outside the U.S.?

If you need emergency assistance when you’re 100 miles or more from home, call the local equivalent of ‘911’ or go to the nearest hospital.

As a participant in an IU life insurance plan, you have access to emergency support services and benefits through Academic Emergency Services (AES) when you are traveling over 100 miles from home or outside your home country. Services available to you include:

  • Emergency Medical Evacuation, Repatriation and Emergency Family Assistance Services
  • Medical, Travel, Safety, and Legal Assistance
  • Security/Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation Coverage
  • Download AES flyer and wallet card

Academic Emergency Services are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access services 24/7 call 855-873-3555 (within the U.S.) or 1-610-263-4660 (outside the U.S.). Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.

How do I find a qualified doctor or medical provider outside the U.S.?

Before Traveling
Download the BCBS Global Core mobile app. You can use the app to search for providers, translate medical terms and phrases, file international claims, and more.

Non-Emergency Care

  • If you’re traveling abroad and need non-emergency medical care, call the BCBS Global Core Service Center 24/7 at +1-804-673-1177 before getting care. They can help you set up a doctor’s visit or hospital stay. 
  • Alternatively, you can call Academic Emergency Services at +1-610-263-4660. They can direct you to appropriate medical resources, including referrals to vetted providers and hospitals. 

Resources:

Do I need to call Academic Emergency Services (AES) before I leave for my trip?

You are not required to call, but if you will be traveling for more than one semester, we recommend that you contact Academic Emergency Services to receive valuable pre-trip and extended travel information. Also, remember to take your Academic Emergency Services wallet card with you and call if you need medical advice or assistance.

What if the foreign hospital refuses to take my insurance and requires me to pay in full?

Many international providers require payment in full at the time of service. In this situation you will need to pay the provider out-of-pocket, then file a claim afterwards with Anthem. If you need to do this, make sure you get an itemized receipt from the provider that lists all the services you received and the charges for each. If you do not have the funds to pay, AES can help you make financial arrangements with the provider. The source of the funds is your responsibility.

Will Academic Emergency Services (AES) transport a family member or friend to be at my side?

Yes. If you are traveling alone and it seems likely that you will be hospitalized for more than three days, AES will transport a family member or friend to your location.

I don’t travel internationally. How can Academic Emergency Services (AES) benefit me?

Academic Emergency Services will help you with any medical situation if you are 100 miles or more from your campus address—this can mean a weekend trip or an overseas vacation. If you become ill or have an accident while traveling, call AES 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for assistance and advice.