Insurance

Health Insurance

The University requires that all full-time and part-time students enrolled in any University program be covered under a health insurance plan acceptable to the University. Midwestern University has made Student Medical Health Care Plans available to students. Students may choose health care insurance through Midwestern University or may choose their own plan. Evidence of acceptable non-University health insurance coverage must be provided prior to program matriculation and prior to registration for the fall quarter each succeeding year thereafter by completing an online waiver form that can be accessed through the online Midwestern web site (http://online.midwestern.edu). Medicaid and other state sponsored health plans provide only catastrophic coverage if the holder is residing outside of the state providing coverage. Medicaid can only be used on the Downers Grove campus if the student is a resident of the state of Illinois and will be undertaking their academic classes/clinical rotations in Illinois or on the Glendale campus if the student is a resident of the state of Arizona and will be undertaking their academic classes/clinical rotations in Arizona. It is further required that students who are covered by Medicaid must acquire additional temporary health insurance coverage if they participate in clinical rotations in a state different than their documented state of residence (Illinois or Arizona) so the student is covered for more than emergency/catastrophic care. Religiously affiliated health consortiums (Healthcare Sharing Ministries) are not insurance programs and are not an acceptable alternate to standard health insurance. It is the student’s responsibility to immediately notify the Office of Student Services of any change in their insured status. A student’s health insurance coverage may be randomly verified. Failure to maintain health insurance may result in immediate suspension. The University Student Health Care Plans are underwritten through AETNA U.S. Health Care Insurance Agency and administered by AETNA Student Health. Details of benefit plan coverage and related premium costs are available by calling the AETNA Student Health at 800/927-0783, contacting the Office of Student Services or online at http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com.

One-Month Mandatory Extension Period for All Graduates

Although the University bills students for their AETNA health insurance coverage on a quarterly basis, the final quarter for a graduating student includes a mandatory additional month of coverage past a student’s particular graduation date. The cost of this built-in one-month health insurance extension is included in the student’s final quarter bill. The University is unable to provide additional options for extending a student’s health insurance coverage past this one-month built-in extension period. Please see the Office of Student Services for further details concerning this mandatory one-month health insurance extension following graduation.

Students on Leave of Absence

Students are eligible to remain on the AETNA insurance plan during a leave of absence. Students on a leave who wish to maintain coverage must inform the Office of Student Services and work out a payment plan with Student Accounts in the Office of Student Financial Services.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is not required by the University so Aetna Student Health does not offer a dental insurance plan. However, for interested students, there is an annual dental insurance plan available through Delta Dental. Open enrollment for the Dental Insurance takes place only in the Fall Quarter. The enrollment period is from mid-August until the second week of September. Because these programs are voluntary and not required, Student Financial Services cannot cover their costs through federal loans so this would be an out of pocket expenses for the student. Please check with Student Services for details. The Midwestern University Dental Institute and Eye Institute on both campuses also provides lower cost dental services to students as well. Please check with those clinics for details.

Disability Insurance

Students are automatically enrolled in a disability insurance plan through the Standard Insurance Company. The annual premium charge will appear on the student’s bill in the first quarter of attendance (and annually thereafter) along with their tuition, fees, any applicable insurance charges, and housing charges. Coverage ends upon graduation but can be extended by contacting the insurer directly. Students on a Leave of Absence are strongly recommended to retain the disability coverage for the entirety of the Leave of Absence period. For information, contact the Office of Student Services.

Liability (Malpractice) Insurance

Professional liability insurance during clinical education is provided by the University. The University does not, however, provide coverage for clinical rotations or other activities outside of the United States. Rotations in hospitals and/or facilities under the jurisdiction of foreign governments will not be covered under the Midwestern University student malpractice and/or comprehensive general liability insurance. Students who are interested in a rotation site in a foreign country that requires malpractice insurance must pay for their own insurance coverage.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage

Worker’s Compensation Insurance coverage is designed to cover employees only. Since students are not employees of either the University or the facility at which they are on rotation for educational purposes, this insurance coverage cannot apply to them, unless otherwise required by State law. Expenses incurred due to a needle stick while on clinical rotation (see Needle Stick Policy) are not covered through Worker's Compensation and need to be submitted through the student’s health insurance provider. Expenses not covered through the student’s health insurance provider should be submitted to the Office of Risk Management for possible assistance. Students participating in the Federal Work Study Program are also not covered by Worker's Compensation Insurance.