NEW BILLING POLICY FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2008-2009
Health insurance premiums will now be billed separately from your tuition bill. Your bill will be sent monthly to you directly from Independence Blue Cross.
Temple University requires all International students in Non-immigrant Student (F1 or J1) status to maintain health insurance that meets certain minimum standards as determined by the United States Department of State. The minimum health insurance coverage as determined by the Department of State is as follows:
- A maximum deductible of U.S. $500 per accident or illness
- Payment of at least 75% of covered expenses
- Medical benefits of at least U.S. $50,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation benefits of at least U.S. $7,500
- Medical evacuation benefits of at least U.S. $10,000
As an international student, you may enroll in either of the two plans offered by the University; the CompSelect plan or the Keystone Heath Plan East POS plan. Click here to view a comparison of these plans. You may also elect not to enroll in either plan and provide certification of outside health insurance.
If you elect not to enroll in either of the school-sponsored plans, you MUST complete a Certification of Outside Health Insurance Coverage form. The Certification form MUST be completed online via the Blue Cross website during open enrollment; otherwise you will be automatically enrolled in a single CompSelect health insurance plan.
You will be responsible for paying the single monthly premium of $102.36 directly to Independence Blue Cross. The monthly premium payments are due on the first of the month beginning with September 1, 2008 and ending on August 1, 2009 (for effective dates of coverage September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009).
You have the following options for insurance:
- Enroll in CompSelect; or
- Enroll in Keystone POS; or
- Complete a Certification of Outside Health Insurance form
If you elect any type of coverage during the open enrollment period, you will automatically be charged the monthly premium and a bill will be sent to your address provided during the open enrollment process. You will be responsible for paying the monthly premium directly to Independence Blue Cross.
If you lose your outside health insurance coverage for any reason you MUST contact the Benefits office immediately at 215-204-1321 to obtain coverage.
Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants Eligible for a Subsidy
If you do not receive your subsidy credit during the online enrollment process, you will need to send a copy of your appointment letter to the Human Resources Benefits office at the following address:
Temple University Benefits Department
1601 North Broad Street, USB
Room 608
Philadelphia, PA 19122-9988
Your appointment letter will show the semester and percentage amount of your subsidy. Upon receipt of the appointment letter, your subsidy amount will be verified and your credit will be processed. Fractional appointments will have the subsidy contributions prorated. Depending upon your subsidy amount, if there is a premium balance due after your subsidy is credited, you are responsible for the balance. You will be billed separately from your tuition and will receive a direct bill from Independence Blue Cross.