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Graduate Assistant Free Health Insurance

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General

The University of Alabama offers free single coverage medical insurance to many of its graduate assistants. Qualification is based on academic criteria as well as how the assistantship is funded.

Please note that not all assistantships qualify, you must contact the department to which you apply to determine if any of their assistantships will be covered.

The Plan

The UA Graduate Assistant medical insurance plan is provided through VIVA. Since their inception in 1995, VIVA Health has grown to be one of the largest health plans in the State of Alabama. Some of the plan features include:

• Major Medical Benefit Maximum of $250,000 for each illness/accident
• Plan deductible is $150 per policy year, rather than per injury or illness
• 80% benefit for covered Inpatient and Outpatient services
• Prescription Drug Benefits up to $500 per plan year, although this maximum does not apply to students’ prescriptions filled at the Student Health Center (SHC)

Full details of the Plan’s services and benefits, with its coinsurance and some of the limitations, can be found on the Student Health Center’s web site in the forms section under UA VIVA Health Insurance brochure. Or, visit VIVA’s own web site for further information and the Certificate of Coverage.

International Students

UA requires that all international students carry medical insurance and when you register for classes you will be automatically charged the appropriate fee.

Students may waive this charge if you already have medical insurance and the level of coverage is at least equal to UA’s. You must provide adequate proof of alternative coverage and complete a waiver form.

Qualified international graduate assistants who receive the UA free health insurance may substitute this benefit to also satisfy the international student insurance requirement.

Accessing Your Benefits

Students on The University of Alabama Student Health Plan must use the Student Health Center as their Primary Care Physician. SHC is located at 750 5th Ave. East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 and can be reached by calling 348-6262. SHC’s office hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, and 1pm to 4pm Saturday and Sunday when school is in session. For full details of the SHC facilities and services please go to their web site at http://www.ua.edu/academic/colleges/cchs/cchs/hc/start.cfm

More Information

For more information regarding UA’s free health insurance for graduate assistants please contact or refer to the following:

For questions regarding departmental assistantships and entitlement:
1. The department’s graduate program administrative assistant
2. The Graduate School, Director of Administration (205-348-8282, jchamber@bama.ua.edu)

For questions regarding benefits and enrollment with VIVA health:
1. Student Health Insurance Office, Room 210, Student Health Center, 750 Fifth Ave East.
2. Tel: 205-348-2158, email: insurance@cchs.ua.edu