The University has selected HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association, Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Hawaii) to provide medical health insurance for our students for 2009 – 2014.  For more information or to enroll on the UH Student Plan, please go to www.hmsa.com/portal/student.

• How the Insurance Company and Plan is Selected
• Who Can Enroll (Eligibility)
• When to Enroll & Coverage Period
• Plan Options & Benefits
• Rates
• How to Enroll

How the Insurance Company and Plan is Selected

The Student Health Insurance Committee (SHIC) designs a benefit package that they feel will adequately cover both domestic and international students.  Request for proposals are sent to numerous insurance companies, and each proposal received is reviewed carefully.  In addition to the plan premiums and a comprehensive benefit package, SHIC also looks at the number of providers available.  The committee also makes sure that the insurance company provides quick claims payment and quality customer service.

HMSA, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a reliable name in Hawaii health care. Established in 1938, they are the largest and most experienced provider of health care coverage in the state. Over half of Hawaii’s population has chosen HMSA for their health care coverage. HMSA was chosen as the current UH endorsed plan based on a combination of cost, benefits, claims payment and customer service.

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Who Can Enroll (Eligibility)

Students must be enrolled at least half time in the University of Hawaii system (Hilo, Manoa, West Oahu and all community colleges). This means a minimum of six credits (undergraduates) or four credits (graduate students) are required each fall and spring semesters and three credits during the summer session.

Exceptions: Students taking less than the minimum credits required may enroll on the plan if the class(es) being taken are all that is required to graduate. A letter from the student's department confirming this should be attached and mailed with the HMSA application and payment. Also, one credit of thesis (700) or dissertation (800) research meets the minimum eligibility requirement.

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When to Enroll & Coverage Period

Enrollment is only accepted during the open enrollment dates for each semester. Once the deadline has passed, you will no longer be able to enroll until the next semester.

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Plan Options & Benefits

*Repatriation coverage is required for international students.

Note: You may only change benefit options during the Fall semester (annual open enrollment period).

For more details on the plan benefits go to www.hmsa.com/portal/student and click on Benefit Summary and/or Guide to Benefits.

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Rates

*Rates listed above are for the student only.  For additional rates (combination of semesters or 2-party or family rates) go to www.hmsa.com/portal/student and click on Rates.

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How to Enroll

There are 2 ways to enroll

1. Online (www.hmsa.com/portal/student)
   UH Student ID number is required to enroll online. Online enrollment requires payment by credit card (Mastercard or Visa) with a $10 credit card processing fee being added to your total.
   
   
2. Hard Copy (mail or in person at HMSA)
   Mail the completed & signed student plan application, USAble Life beneficiary form (if applying for benefit option #2, #4, #6 or #8), a copy of your class schedule (with credit hours) for the semester that you are applying and a check or money order (made payable to HMSA) for the entire semester’s premium to:

HMSA
6/AMS
PO Box 860
Honolulu, HI 96808-0860

Application and beneficiary form can be found at the back of the benefit summary or it can be downloaded from the website www.hmsa.com/portal/student

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