The period to waive out of Pearce and Pearce insurance is over for spring 2010. 

All graduate students and international students are required to have health insurance. Under this University requirement, graduate students enrolled in nine or more hours, all graduate assistants, and international students must either:

• purchase the student health insurance plan offered by Pearce & Pearce
  OR
• waive out by providing documentation of enrollment of a comparable health insurance plan.

HOW DO I WAIVE OUT?
To "waive out" or to "complete the waiver process" simply means to turn down the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan offered by the University. If you are a graduate or international student and have comparable health insurance coverage and wish to turn down the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan, you MUST complete the waiver process on-line by February 6, 2010 in order to have the health insurance fee removed from your tuition.

• You must waive out each semester (excluding Maymester and summer sessions) or you will be automatically enrolled into the student health insurance plan and billed by the Bursar Office.

REQUIREMENTS TO WAIVE OUT
In order for a comparable health insurance plan to meet the waiver criteria, your health insurance plan must feature all of the following:

• Coverage must begin on or before January 6, 2010.
• Coverage that allows the insured student to receive outpatient, emergency, specialist and inpatient care, diagnostic testing and procedures, and mental health inpatient and outpatient care, including alcohol and substance abuse treatment, in South Carolina.
• Coverage dates must include the semester academic dates, including breaks and holidays.
• A benefit amount per accident/illness/injury of $50,000 USD or greater per policy year.
• The policy coverage amount of $250,000 USD or greater.
• The pre-existing condition limitation can not exceed twelve months
• If coverage applies to international students: repatriation of remains of $10,000 USD and medical evacuation of $10,000 USD.
• Please be aware the USC sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan meets, and in most cases significantly exceeds, the required coverage minimums.

PROVIDING A MORE AFFORDABLE OPTION
The University of South Carolina participates in a student health insurance consortium with other public universities in the state to provide suitable health coverage at a reasonable price. The Graduate School has announced that graduate assistants will receive a subsidy for $275 during the 2009-10 academic year to help them pay for the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance. This is a 22% increase from the past academic year. As a result of this subsidy, graduate assistants will pay only the reduced portion of the semester premium.

Remember that the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan comes with a $300 annual wellness benefit that covers preventive services, including: immunizations (like Gardasil and flu shots), eye exams and contacts, physicals, and smoking cessation (like Chantix).

UNINTERRUPTED PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE: In order to allow uninterrupted prescription coverage during breaks throughout the year (ex. Winter break, Summer breaks), students who have the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan can click here to renew their coverage. Once on this site, enter your email address and password. Then click the "renewal" button for the upcoming semester.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY HEALTH INSURANCE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• Do students who are under their parents insurance have to purchase the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan?
• Why is the University requiring health insurance as a condition of enrollment for graduate students enrolled in 9 or more hours, all graduate assistants, and international students?
• Why do students need health insurance, when they can be seen at Student Health Services?

• Is the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan comparable to other health insurance plans?
• What is the annual health insurance premium for the 2009-10 University sponsored plan?
• Are there cheaper health insurance plans available that meet the minimum waiver criteria?
• If I leave the University, will I automatically lose my insurance coverage?
• I will be studying abroad while enrolled at the University. Will the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan give me coverage while I am away from the United States?

• Are there any additional insurance requirements for international students that do not
  apply to domestic students?

• What if I lose my current insurance during the school year? Can I sign up for the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan at that time?
• I would like to enroll my spouse and children in the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan. Can I do that?
• Can I enroll my domestic partner in the plan?

• What are the dates of coverage of the 2009-10 Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan?
• Can I continue coverage after I graduate or leave the University?

• Who provides for my primary health care services under the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan?
• How do referrals work under the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan?

• Does the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan cover dental care?
• Does the University require dental insurance for students?

• How will I be billed for the student health insurance plan?
• Can I get financial aid to cover the Pearce & Pearce student health insurance plan?
• Can I charge the cost of the insurance plan for my dependents to my University account (set up through the Bursar's office)?

• If I waive out of the insurance plan once I start classes in the Fall 2009, am I okay for the rest of my time at the University?
• What happens if my insurance situation changes between the day I complete the waiver and the deadline?
• What if my health insurance plan is denied through the waiver process or I miss the deadline and get charged for the insurance plan and I want to appeal the charge?
• Where do I go if I have questions about the waiver process?

• Where do I go if I have questions about enrollment, insurance benefits or claims processing?
• Where can I receive information online?
• What if I have questions about or problems with my Pearce and Pearce insurance ID card?
• How do I find a list of preferred providers under my student health insurance plan?