Emory University Student Health Services

Health Insurance Requirement for All Emory Students:
Waiver FAQ's for New, Transfer and Reentering Students for Summer Semester 2008

(Please note: This is information designed for Summer 2008. If you will be a new or transfer student first entering Emory University in Fall Semester 2008, information will be available in April 2008.

The on line student insurance requirement waiver site for new, transfer and reentering Summer 2008 Emory University students opened on March 14, 2008 and closes at 5:00 pm on the first day of Summer classes, May 20, 2008. You may access this waiver site via your OPUS account at www.opus.emory.edu.
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Here are a few important notes and answers to frequently asked questions about the student insurance requirement enrollment/waiver process for new, transfer and reentering Emory University students for Summer Semester 2008. If you look them over quickly, you may save yourself some aggravation . . . and us some emails and phone calls to answer!

“When can I complete my waiver for Summer 2008?” The on line student insurance requirement waiver site for new and continuing Emory University students (including Oxford College) opened on March 14, 2008 and will close at 5:00 pm on the first day of classes, May 20, 2008. You will access this waiver site via your OPUS account at www.opus.emory.edu.

“I have gone to the waiver site for Summer 2008 and it is totally different from the one I saw in 2006-07. Why is that?” The University has redesigned the waiver process beginning Fall 2007. The changes include:

The waiver site is now contained within the University’s OPUS system at www.opus.emory.edu.
Students enter the waiver site using their Emory Network ID and Password, not their Student ID and Date of Birth like on the 2006-07 web site.
In 2007-08 and future years, if a student wants to enroll in the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan, he/she does nothing and the enrollment is automatic. The website is for insurance waivers only, not insurance enrollment.
The waiver site stays open until the first day of classes. Summer Semester students who have not completed a waiver by April 14^th are billed for the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan, but if the student still wishes to waive, he/she can do so up until May 20^th and the charge will be reversed.

“I already completed my insurance waiver for Summer 2008. Now I hear that I also have to do a waiver for 2008-09. Is that true?” Yes! At Emory, we say “Student Insurance Requirement: Every Student, Every Year.” If you do not wish to enroll in the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan, the waiver process must be completed EACH year you are enrolled at Emory University for the upcoming academic year. If you have questions about the insurance waiver/enrollment process, you may contact our Insurance Office at mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu , 404-727-7560 or 404-727-7284.

“I made a mistake on my waiver (or my insurance situation has changed) and I need to change the information I provided on the waiver site. Can I do that?” Yes. Students can change information on the waiver site as many times as necessary up to the time the site closes (May 20, 2008 at 5:00 pm).

“I waived the student insurance plan, but now I have changed my mind and want to enroll for Summer 2008. Can I do that? Yes. Students can change information on the waiver site as many times as necessary up to the time the site closes (May 20, 2008 at 5:00 pm), including canceling a waiver and deciding to enroll in the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan.

“My waiver was rejected and I am very unhappy about it.” University policies (like laws) are made with an attempt to meet the needs of the majority, and if possible, the overwhelming majority. However, virtually never are they "one size fits all." The University did its best to create a series of minimum requirements that would insure that students were properly covered (otherwise, saying "you must have insurance" would lead to people purchasing $15 annual policies), but knew that there would be requests for exceptions and that many would be legitimate. Therefore, an Appeals Committee, consisting of students, faculty and staff, has been formed and will hear the written appeals requests of individual students. You can find information about the appeals process, and an appeals form for the current waiver/enrollment process by clicking here. If you appeal, we will ask Student Financial Services to not place any charges for insurance on your account pending your appeal. However, if you receive a bill in error prior to the completion of the appeals process, please contact us at mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu , 404-727-7560 or 404-727-7284.

I am an international student here for only one year and I will not be getting an Emory degree. Why am I still required to have insurance if I am non-degree seeking? Our international students do need insurance while here, even if they are not degree-seeking. It is an Emory University requirement, and also may be a requirement of your visa.

I am a student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for 2007-08 and I am eligible to get a subsidy to help pay for insurance. I would like to enroll in the student insurance plan. Do I still need to go to the OPUS web site? No, the waiver site this year is for waivers only, not insurance enrollment. GSAS will then post the subsidy to your Bursar account for their portion of the premium. If this still does not make sense, contact the GSAS Student Affairs office.

“I still don't understand this requirement, the waiver process, etc. Can you help me?” For more information about Emory's mandatory health insurance requirement and the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan, go to this link: Student Insurance Requirement Information. If you have further questions about the insurance enrollment/waiver process, please contact our Insurance Office at mandatoryinsurance@listserv.cc.emory.edu or 404-727-7560 or 404-727-7284.

Revised 03/18/2008