Academic Year 2020-2021 Plan Changes
For temporary measures HUSHP has taken in regards to COVID-19, please visit the CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): HEALTH INSURANCE FAQs page.
Dear Student,
We have evaluated the Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) plan design, policies/procedures, and Student Health Insurance benefits for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. Below, you will find a list of changes we will be implementing this year; some changes are related to the pandemic and others are standard changes. At this time, the changes are valid through July 31, 2021 and will be reevaluated for the 2021-2022 Academic Year. This list is not all-inclusive and will be updated as the situation evolves. Please note that the individual sections of hushp.harvard.edu still reflect the 2019-2020 plan year and will be updated in the next month or two.
Please be advised to always check your plan benefits at the start of each term and prior to using them, and/or contact us for assistance.
Sincerely,
Member Services
KEY TERMS
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Student Health Fee This fee covers most care at any of the HUHS campus clinics, including telemedicine visits, with no copayment. The Student Health Fee is the primary source of funding for the student-related services provided by HUHS. This includes the role that HUHS plays as the campus public health authority for the University. The fee pays for the infrastructure for administrative and public health services (e.g., immunization compliance, waiver processing, pandemic planning, COVID testing and tracing efforts), as well as direct medical and counseling services, including telemedicine, with no copayment. |
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Student Health Insurance Plan This plan is administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and is designed to complement the health care provided through the Student Health Fee at HUHS. It covers hospital, specialty care, labs/radiology, and has a prescription drug benefit. This plan provides coverage throughout the United States and abroad. This plan can be waived with comparable coverage. |
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Prescription Drug Plan Prescription drug coverage is included as part of the Student Health Insurance Plan. |
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Dental Plan Optional dental plan is available via Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to all students and their eligible dependents. |
| Category | AY2020 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020) | AY2021 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Student Health Insurance Plan - Medical and Mental Health Visit Limits | Medical Visits: 6 visits per plan year | Medical Visits: 12 visits per plan year |
| Mental Health Visits: 40 visits per plan year | Mental Health Visits: 52 visits per plan year | |
| Adolescent Mental Health Massachusetts Mandate |
Coverage added for:
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| Category | AY2020 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020) | AY2021 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Fills Outside of HUHS Pharmacy - Days Supply |
Members can fill up to a 90-day supply of most prescriptions at HUHS Pharmacy and for only 30 days at retail pharmacies outside of HUHS.
Certain prescriptions can only be filled up to a 30-day supply, including at the HUHS Pharmacy |
In addition to filling up to a 90-day supply of most prescriptions at HUHS pharmacy, members can fill prescriptions for up to a 90-day supply at participating retail pharmacies outside of HUHS (this is an extension of the temporary COVID-19 measure and is subject to change).
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| Category | AY2020 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020) | AY2021 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Student Rates | All students pay the same fee | The cost will be implemented in two tiers depending on where the student is physically located:
All students who pay the SHF will have access to many of the HUHS Clinic services in-person, as well as via telemedicine. All students are encouraged to reach out to HUHS with health or medical needs. |
| Benefits | The SHF covers most services at the Harvard University Health Services without a copayment. |  In addition to the in-person visits at no copayment, the SHF will also cover telemedicine visits at HUHS. |
| Deadline to Waive (opt-out of health insurance) | Fall Term: July 31 Late Waiver: September 30 |
Fall Term: September 30 Late Waiver: October 31 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan – Definition of “Comparable Coverage” | Institutions of higher education in Massachusetts are required to offer a Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to students, and students must either enroll in the SHIP or provide proof of comparable coverage in Massachusetts. |
The transition to remote learning will not change a School’s requirement to make a SHIP available. Therefore, all students will be charged for a Student Health Insurance Plan and must demonstrate comparable coverage in the area in which they are located. Students may waive participation in SHIP if the student is studying in a foreign country and the student has coverage in that foreign location. |
| Eligibility to Waive the Student Health Fee (SHF) |
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Traveling Scholar/Study Abroad/Non-Resident students will not be eligible to waive the health fee. |
| Category | AY2020 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020) | AY2021 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Leave of Absence (LOA) or Withdrawal (WD) Policy | May apply to purchase 4 months of extended coverage | May purchase up to 6 months of extended coverage |
| Category | AY2020 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020) | AY2021 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021) |
|---|---|---|
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Full Year Coverage: Spring Term Coverage: |
Full Year enrollment deadline: September 30 Spring term enrollment deadline: February 28 Spring enrollment eligibility is limited to:
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Full Year enrollment deadline: September 30 Spring term enrollment deadline: February 28 As a one-time exception, Spring enrollment will be available to students that did not elect to participate in the fall term. |
| Benefits | Two cleanings per plan year; cleanings must be 6 months apart | Two cleanings per calendar year; cleanings do not have to be 6 months apart |