Understanding Your Health Insurance

Health insurance helps cover the cost of medical care, including doctor visits, preventive services, prescriptions, laboratory tests, and more. Understanding how your insurance works can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare and avoid unexpected expenses.

Whether you're new to managing your own healthcare or simply need a refresher, we're here to help.

Enrolling in Health Insurance

Having health insurance helps protect you from unexpected medical expenses and provides access to healthcare when you need it. Coverage is commonly available through an employer-sponsored plan, either your own or a parent or family member's employer. If you do not have access to employer-sponsored coverage, you may be eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). 

UAH students who need coverage may be eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) during designated enrollment periods (Open Enrollment). Please see the Student Health Insurance page for more information on when and how to enroll.

What Is a Qualifying Life Event?

If you miss the Open Enrollment period, you may still be able to enroll if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE).

A Qualifying Life Event is a major life change that allows you to enroll in health insurance outside of the normal enrollment period.

Examples include:

  • Loss of other health insurance coverage
  • Marriage
  • Divorce or legal separation
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Death of a covered family member
  • Moving to an area where your previous health plan is no longer available
  • Changes in eligibility for Medicaid or other health coverage

 

Documentation is required to verify the qualifying event. You are usually given 30 days from the date of the QLE to enroll in a plan.

Before Your Appointment

To help ensure a smooth visit, please:

  • ✔ Bring your current insurance card or upload your health insurance information and pictures of front/back of card to the Charger Health Portal.
  • ✔ Complete all New Patient electronic forms under “Requirements” in the Charger Health Portal.
  • ✔ Bring a photo ID.
  • ✔ Verify that your insurance information is current. If using two insurance plans, knowing which one is primary and secondary.
  • ✔ Understand your plan's copay, deductible, and coverage requirements.
  • ✔ Contact your insurance company if you have questions about your benefits.

What Costs Might I Be Responsible For?

Depending on your insurance plan, you may be responsible for:

  • Copays
  • Deductibles
  • Coinsurance
  • Services not covered by your insurance plan

The amount you owe cannot always be determined at the time of your visit. Your insurance company processes the claim first and determines your financial responsibility.

Understanding Your Insurance Card

Your insurance card contains important information that healthcare providers need to submit claims.

Typical information includes:

  • Member Name
  • Member ID Number / Policy Number / Contract Number
  • Insurance Company Name
  • Customer Service Phone Number (back of card)
  • Information on where to send your claim (back of card)

Tip: Keep a picture of the front and back of your insurance card on your phone.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company

Before receiving care, you may wish to ask:

  • Is UAH Health Services considered in-network?
  • Do I have a copay for office visits?
  • How much of my deductible has been met?
  • Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
  • What preventive services are covered?
  • Is laboratory testing covered under my plan?

After Your Visit

  1. UAH Health Services submits your claim to your insurance company.
  2. Your insurance company processes the claim.
  3. If a balance remains after insurance processes the claim, you may receive a secure message from UAH Health Services through the Charger Health Portal.

Need Help?

Health insurance can be confusing, especially if you're using it for the first time. Our staff can help explain billing processes and answer general questions about insurance and payments.

 

Terms to Know

Terms to understand when it comes to health insurance and billing:

Copay: is a set amount you may pay each time you see a provider or get a prescription filled.  Your plan may or may not need to meet the deductible to have a copay.

Co-insurance: is the share of costs, either a percentage or set amount, that you pay for covered health care or prescription drugs. You need to meet your deductible before co-insurance applies.

Deductible: is a set dollar amount you pay in full for your care before your health plan starts to pay. Deductibles reset yearly, typically on January 1st with some exceptions. For example, the UAH Student Health Insurance Plan deductible resets on August 1st.

Provider: a medical provider is any individual, healthcare professional, or entity (hospital or clinic) licensed or authorized to provide healthcare services. Examples: doctors (MD, DO), nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), therapists, clinics, etc.

In-network: In-network care is given by a provider who is contracted by your health insurance plan to provide services at discounted rates. 

Out-of-network: Out-of-network care is given by a provider who isn't contracted by your health insurance plan. This means if your plan does not cover Out-Of-Network services- they may deny payment, or you may have to pay a higher portion of those services than if you went to an In-Network provider.