Health Insurance Coverage for PhD Students
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As announced in a message from University leadership, the University has expanded single-payer health insurance coverage to all full-time PhD students across our institution.
On this page, you can explore frequently asked questions about this new health insurance coverage, and understand who to contact for additional support.
Get plan information on the UHS website
Student FAQs: Coverage, eligibility, and fees
How do I know if this applies to me, or if I am eligible?
The University policy applies to full-time PhD Students at the University of Rochester who are fully funded from a fellowship, grant, or assistantship appointment and are in the first six years of their program of studies. Eligibility is precluded on the student making satisfactory progress in their program as determined by their program or school.
What does the University plan cover?
The University’s Student Health Insurance program (SHIP) is administered by University Health Service (UHS). For details on the plan including enrollment, coverage, and plan details please refer to the UHS website. This benefit applies to the student only, however additional coverage options are available at students’ additional expense for spouses and dependents.
If I already declined coverage, can I change and enroll in our student health insurance plan (SHIP)?
Please contact the UHS insurance advisors at insurance@uhs.rochester.edu if you have any questions.
What if I decline coverage?
If you have qualified coverage outside of the UR student health insurance plan (SHIP) and waive coverage, there is no charge to you on your student account. You will not receive any subsidy for the cost of non-SHIP coverage.
Does this plan include the newly added dental and vision coverage?
No, Aetna is now offering additional add-on coverage which students can elect to enroll in for dental and/or vision coverage. These are add-on coverage options which you can sign up for and pay for directly through Aetna. Information about the additional coverage can be found here under the plan documents and benefits. Students interested in enrolling can do so here.
I already paid my charges in full. When will I get my refund?
Please monitor your account in UR Student. When you see the health insurance waiver has been posted, you may contact the Bursar’s Office to request a refund. Alternatively, you may leave the credit on your student account to be applied toward future charges.
The health insurance fee is past due, and I don’t see a health insurance waiver on my UR Student account. What should I do?
If you received confirmation from your department that you are eligible, you do not need to pay this charge. We appreciate your patience while the necessary changes are made to process your waiver.
How will the waiver be reported to me for tax purposes?
Students who receive a waiver from the University for the cost of health Insurance will see the waiver/credit reported as part of their scholarships/grants in Box 5 of their 1098-T. Since health insurance is not considered a qualified tuition and related expense, this expense will not be reported in Box 1 of your Form 1098-T
Research administration staff FAQs
If paid from a sponsored program, do Facilities and Administrative Costs (F&A) or Indirect costs apply to the health insurance costs or are they excluded from F&A?
F&A costs apply to the health insurance costs.
Should I start including graduate health care insurance cost in new/competitive proposals that are submitted prior to July 1, 2023?
Yes, you should start budgeting for these costs in proposals immediately.
Does graduate student health insurance cover the UHS Mandatory Health Fee?
No, it does not. This is a separate fee.
What spend category should be used for graduate student health insurance costs?
Please use Other Expenses Health Insurance SC56800. Do not use SC58710; this spend category is reserved for Mandatory Health Fees.
If students are involved on multiple projects, will this cost be split across all sponsored projects they are involved in? Also is this a per student cost for a project?
The health insurance cost should be allocated across multiple projects if that is the case, in accordance with the stipend distribution. The health insurance cost is an annual cost per student.
How will this affect currently funded awards without this cost budgeted in? Who will make the determination whether a grant can afford the costs?
It is the University’s expectation that graduate health insurance costs will be allocated to grants effective July 1, 2023 even if these costs have not been budgeted for. Most grants have the ability to re-budget without prior sponsor approval. If there are sponsor restrictions or the grant does not have the capacity to pay for health insurance costs, this is the PI’s determination (with assistance from their department research administrator/accountant) to make.
The health insurance cost is to be allocated to the same funding sources that are paying for the stipend. Is there ever an exception to this?
Yes, an exception is made when the University supplements stipends on federally-funded training grants. The University will charge 100% of the allowable graduate student stipend to the training grant, and 100% of the health insurance. These are allowable costs. If the department chooses to supplement the stipend with additional unrestricted funding, there is NO requirement to allocate a portion of the health insurance to the unrestricted funds.
Get additional support
Health insurance-related questions: Please contact University Health Service (UHS) Insurance Advisors at insurance@uhs.rochester.edu, or by phone at (585) 275-2637.
Eligibility-related questions: Please contact your program or department graduate coordinator.
Additional plan details are available on the UHS website for your reference, including general health insurance FAQs.