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Health Insurance FAQs

A general FAQ about the mandatory health insurance requirement is available at the Student Health Services website.

  1. But I'm healthy! Why do I need insurance?
  2. "Domiciled in the United States?" What does that mean? Why can't I have insurance from my home country?
  3. I'd like to use a different insurance company, but I don't know which one to pick. Can you help?
  4. Why is the Emory plan more expensive than some other compliant plans? Am I just paying more for the same thing?
  5. Deductible? Co-pay? Co-insurance? What does that mean, and how does health insurance work?
  6. I'm just so confused! Is there anyone who can help me?!?
  7. I have the Aetna Student Health plan, but I never got my insurance card or I have a problem with a claim. What do I do?
  8. Will my alternate insurance plan be compliant?
  9. My insurance company is denying my claim, and now I have a big medical bill! What can I do?
  10. How do I find a doctor to go to?
  11. I have alternate insurance, but I was billed for the Emory plan anyway. How do I get the charge removed from my bill?

  1. But I'm healthy! Why do I need insurance?

    Medical care in the United States is very expensive. Even the healthiest of students may become ill or injured. While Emory University Student Health Services provides excellent out-patient primary care, and short-term (but not long-term) counseling and psychiatry services, there are times when you may have to see a specialist or be hospitalized, receive emergency care, or need to take a prescription medication. Medical bills can quickly run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Having insurance enables you to receive the medical care you need and focus on the real reason you are here.

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  2. "Domiciled in the United States?" What does that mean? Why can't I have insurance from my home country?

    Domiciled in the United States simply means that the insurance carrier is based in the United States – and is a U.S. company. Past experience has shown us that it is often very difficult to get claims filed and paid with overseas insurance companies. This causes a lot of confusion and leaves the student with large medical bills – exactly the problem we are trying to avoid! For this reason, we are requiring that all plans be with companies that are based in the United States or have a U.S. domestic partner for billing purposes.

    The Emory University Student Health Insurance Plan offered by Aetna Student Health meets all additional insurance requirements for international students and dependents.

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  3. I'd like to use a different insurance company, but I don't know which one to pick. Can you help?

    ISSS maintains a list of alternative insurance companies that meet the minimum criteria required to be considered compliant. This list is provided by ISSS as a convenience to our students and is not meant as an endorsement of any of the particular companies. It is also not an exhaustive list of the alternate insurance options available to international students. If you are interested, the list is available at the ISSS office, or via our website.

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  4. Why is the Emory plan more expensive than some other compliant plans? Am I just paying more for the same thing?

    Not at all! With insurance coverage, you get what you pay for. Many alternative plans provide the minimum level of coverage – just enough to meet compliance standards. The Emory plan is much more thorough. You can review the plan brochure for full details.

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  5. Deductible? Co-pay? Co-insurance? What does that mean, and how does health insurance work?

    Health insurance can be confusing, whether you have lived your whole life in the United States or are coming for the first time. Aetna offers a downloadable guide on their website. Not all of the information in the guide will apply to you, but it will help you become familiar with the terminology.
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  6. I'm just so confused! Is there anyone who can help me?!?

    Absolutely! Stephanie Roberts in the ISSS office can always be your first point of contact for insurance related questions. However, if you have a specific need, there are some other contacts listed below. (Stephanie will probably have to direct you to them anyway!)

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  7. I have the Aetna Student Health plan, but I never got my insurance card or I have a problem with a claim. What do I do?

    Call the customer service line for Aetna Student Health directly at 1-877-261-8403. If the customer service representative is unable to help you, ask to speak with the Aetna Student Health representative for Emory University.

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  8. Will my alternate insurance plan be compliant?

    Contact Kimberly Taylor in Student Health Services. You can also reach her at 404-727-7560.

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  9. My insurance company has denied my claim and now I have a big medical bill! What can I do?

    There is nothing ISSS can do directly to help in this situation – you will need to work with the doctor or hospital as well as with your insurance company. Ask your medical care provider for an itemized statement of the charges for which you are being billed and then ask the insurance company to clarify why those specific charges are not being covered.

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  10. How do I find a doctor?

    If you have the Emory plan, ALWAYS go to Student Health Services FIRST!!! They will give you a referral if you need to see a specialist. If you have another insurance company, the way to find a doctor will vary. Most student health insurance plans also require you to visit the Student Health Services first. Some allow you to see any doctor, while others have a list from which you must choose. Some require referrals; others do not. Check the information you received from your insurance company or call their customer service number.

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  11. I have alternate insurance, but I was billed for the Emory plan anyway. How do I get the charge removed from my bill?

    There are several reasons this could have happened. Contact Kimberly Taylor in Student Health Services to get more information and to have the charge removed. You can also reach her at 404-727-7560. Please do NOT call the bursar's office as the staff will not be able to remove the charge.

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