Embedded Files
Join us for an ISHC Snack & Learn! Find us at Snead Hall and the Engineering Building for free snacks and tips on navigating U.S. healthcare. Click
Healthcare in the United States can be complex and expensive. Health insurance helps pay for certain covered healthcare services, but having insurance does not mean that every service is free.
Healthcare in the United States can be complex and expensive. Health insurance helps pay for certain covered healthcare services, but having insurance does not mean that every service is free.
Understanding your insurance card, provider network, deductible, copayments, covered benefits, and excluded services can help you make informed healthcare decisions.
Understanding your insurance card, provider network, deductible, copayments, covered benefits, and excluded services can help you make informed healthcare decisions.
Student Health fee versus Health insurance
Student Health fee versus Health insurance
They Are NOT the Same
They Are NOT the Same
VCU Student Health Fee
VCU Student Health Fee
The semester student health fee provides eligible students with access to visits at University Student Health Services (USHS). Once the fee has been billed, there is generally no copayment for the office visit itself.
The student health fee does NOT cover every healthcare expense. Prescriptions, referrals, certain laboratory services, imaging, emergency-department visits, hospital care, and other services may have separate costs.
USHS does not bill students' health-insurance plans for its internal charges. Additional USHS charges are generally paid directly by the student.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance
Health insurance helps pay for covered medical services, particularly services received outside USHS. What the insurance company pays depends on the plan’s benefits, deductible, copayments, provider network, excluded services, and other coverage rules.
You may still receive a bill even when you have health insurance.
Health Insurance for International Students
Health Insurance for International Students
International students studying at VCU on F- or J-visas are required to participate in the university’s student health-insurance program unless they receive an approved waiver based on qualifying alternative coverage. VCU provides the UnitedHealthcare Student Resources insurance plan.
Insurance costs, enrollment periods, coverage dates, waiver standards, and plan benefits may change each academic year. Always use the official VCU and UnitedHealthcare Student Resources webpages for current information.
Know What Is on Your Insurance Card
Know What Is on Your Insurance Card
Keep a digital or physical copy of your insurance card available. Healthcare offices may ask for it when you schedule an appointment and when you arrive for care.
Your V-number and your health-insurance member ID are not necessarily the same number. Use the information printed on your insurance card when a healthcare provider requests insurance information.
Key insurance terms
Key insurance terms
Premium
The amount paid for health-insurance coverage. For a VCU plan, the premium is billed through the student account.
Benefits
Healthcare items and services covered under your insurance plan
Deductible
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services before your insurance starts to pay.
Copayment (Copay)
A fixed out-of-pocket fee you pay at the time of receiving a specific service.
Out of Pocket Maximum
The maximum amount you will pay out-of-pocket in a plan year for covered services.
In-network
Doctors, hospitals and other providers that have agreed to provide health care services to the health plan at set rates; in-network and network are the same.
Out-of-Network
Services provided by a non-participating provider.
Excluded Care
Specific healthcare services that your insurance plan does not pay for or cover.
Inpatient Care
Health care received when admitted to a medical facility/hospital overnight.
Outpatient Care
Care received at a clinic or hospital that does not require an overnight stay.
Before Scheduling Healthcare outside USHS
Before Scheduling Healthcare outside USHS
Five Questions to Ask
Five Questions to Ask
Dental and vision services
Dental and vision services
Check for Separate Coverage
Check for Separate Coverage
Routine adult dental and vision services are excluded from a VCU provided United Healthcare Student Resources insurance plan. Before scheduling an eye examination, purchasing glasses or contact lenses, or receiving routine dental care, ask the provider about expected costs.
Visit the Off-Campus page for VCU Dental and lower-cost dental-resource information.
Important Reminder
Important Reminder
Insurance Does Not Guarantee That Care Is Free
Insurance Does Not Guarantee That Care Is Free
Even when a service is covered, you may be responsible for a deductible, copayment, or another portion of the cost. Services that are excluded, not medically covered, or received outside the provider network may result in higher costs.
During an emergency, seek immediate care. Insurance questions can be addressed after you are safe.
Before receiving nonemergency care outside USHS, take the following steps:
Is the provider in my insurance network?
Is the service covered by my plan?
Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
What deductible, copayment, or other cost may apply?
Could I receive separate bills from the facility, clinician, laboratory, or imaging department?
Note: Always confirm network participation with both the insurance company and the healthcare provider. Provider-network status can change.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse