If I get sick, what should I do to access healthcare?

1. Students should always go Suffolk Health Services first, for any health care needs. Health Services is available for appointments and urgent care issues for all students, no matter what health insurance you have. In some cases, you are more likely to be seen at Health Services, than at your own doctor’s office. 
For those students who are enrolled in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP), Health Services serves as your primary care physician. This means that students who are enrolled in the SSHIP - all health care must be done by Health Services clinicians and/or referrals must be obtained by the clinicians in order for you not to incur any extra costs. With this in mind, the hospital emergency department should only be used for life-threatening injuries or illnesses. 

2.  Students should always carry their insurance card. Most hospitals, doctors and pharmacies work directly with insurance companies for payment. Without your insurance card, you may be required to pay the cost yourself and then apply to be reimbursed by the insurance company.   

3.  Students should complete insurance claim forms accurately and respond promptly to any requests for additional information. The staff in the Suffolk Health Services Office works directly with the SSHIP provider and may assist students with the paperwork.

4.  Students should read and become familiar with their health insurance policy terminology and benefits. Important words to know and understand are: Deductible, Co-pay, Preferred Provider, Primary Care Physician, and Pre-existing Condition. These and other important terms and concepts are described in the policy brochure.  

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I am a new Law student, what paperwork do I need to submit to Health Services before I arrive?

1.  Obtain documentation of immunizations and send to Health Services.  Click here for the immunization requirements for Suffolk.  The Department of Public Health requires us to maintain current immunization records so that we have ready access to in the event of a communicable disease in the community.  Visit the Helath Services website regularly because the state of Massachusetts is in the process of adding additional required immunizations to the list, and this may affect you.

2.  Complete the Health History & Immunization form and send to Health Services (by August 1st).  It is important that we have your immunization records and health information on file and available in case you are involved in an accident, illness or injury.

3. Enroll or Waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).  If you are waiving the SSHIP, please see the waiver eligibility requirements.

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What type of health insurance coverage do I need at Suffolk?

The Massachusetts Universal Health Care Act mandates that all undergraduate, graduate, and law students enrolled three-quarter time to full time in a degree-granting program at all colleges and universities in Massachusetts participate in a qualifying student health insurance program.

If you are already covered by a comparable insurace plan provided by a U.S. based carrier, you must complete and submit the online waiver form, annualy, in order to decline the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).   If you do not complete this form before the last day of the Add/Drop period you will automatically be enrolled in the SSHIP for the remainder of the policy year (until the following August) and will be responsible for the cost of that insurance.  Please make sure that you print out and save the waiver confirmation page, as this will be the only proof you have that you waived the insurance.  If you are not sure if your current insurance plan is eligible, please click here for waiver eligibility.

If you do not have a comparable health insurance plan or if you are an international student, you are required to participate in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP). This mandate includes all undergraduate and graduate students who are registered for 9 or more credits each semester and all international students (regardless of credits) including those sponsored by their embassy.

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Do I need to purchase health insurance if I have a dependent (child or spouse)?

Dependents are required by law to have health insurance, but are not required to have the Suffolk Student Health insurance Plan (SSHIP); only the student is required to purchase the SSHIP. Since only students may be treated at Health Services, students should locate a physician or clinic for their dependents as soon as possible so that if/when they become ill or injured, they know where to go for health care.

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I enrolled or waived the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) last year, do I need to do it again for this year?

Yes.
Remember that the SSHIP is a one year contract.  That means you need to waive the school plan at the start of every school year if you do not need the school insurance.  That also means you need to re-enroll every school year if you do want the school insurance.  Click here for more information on how to waive or enroll in the SSHIP.

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Are the SSHIP benefits the same as in previous years?

No.
Please click here for more information on the benefit changes to the SSHIP.

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I have already submitted my immunization records to Health Services, do I need to do anything else regarding immunizations?

Yes.
Massachusetts occasionally changes immunization requirements for students.  Often this will not affect you because a new law usually contains provisions for phasing in the new requirements.  There is currently legislation pending that will change the requirements beginning Fall 2008.  Stay aware of these developments and visit our website for updates.

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I am graduating/ withdrawing/ taking a leave of absence, can I still use Health Services and when does my insurance end?

No, you cannot be seen at Health Services after you graduate/ withdraw/ take a leave of absence.
Health Services is separate from your insurance coverage.  Health Services serves only currently enrolled Suffolk Students.  Therefore once you graduate/ withdraw/ take a leave of absence, you can no longer be seen at Health Services. 

Your insurance coverage termination date varies upon what type of health insurance plan you have. You should check with your insurance company to find out how long you are covered under your plan. 

For those LAW students enrolled in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP):  The SSHIP term ends August 9, 2009.  This is not an employee-type health plan and is not eligible to be extended under the COBRA regulations.  Also, remember that Massachusetts now requires all residents to have health insurance.  So, you will need to make other arrangements for health insurance once you graduate.

Click here for more information about the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law and for links to options for obtaining health

For those students who are covered under the SSHIP and have graduated,  Health Services no longer acts as your primary care provider.  Therefore you can see any primary care physician within the insurance’s network, and you will no longer need a referral from Health Services to see an outside provider.

For those students covered under their own insurance plan:  Please call the number on the back of your health insurance card to check on when your insurance coverage will end.  Also, remember that Massachusetts now requires all residents to have health insurance.  So, you will need to make other arrangements for health insurance once you graduate.

Click here for more information about the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law and for links to options for obtaining health 

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There is a hold placed on my registration from Health Services, what should I do?

A hold was placed on your registration because Health Services records show that you have not met all of the listed immunization requirements.  Either Health Services does not have documentation of your immunization records, the documentation is incomplete, or you are missing or have an expired immunization.  Health Services will send you notification prior to the registration period.  If you have any questions about what information Health Services is missing, please call 617-573-8260.  

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