This means that some -- but not all -- students are required to have health insurance coverage that meets minimum standards.

This mandatory requirement applies only to these students:

• All international students who are holding F or J visas.
• Students enrolled in one of the following programs that already require proof of health insurance:
• All students admitted to any MSC Nursing program
• All students admitted to the MSC Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program.  (Students enrolled in 3000 and 4000 level RESP classes are not required to participate in the Student Health Insurance Program.)
• All students enrolled in HIMT 2750/2850, HIMA 4750, HLSA 4450/4451

Students who are NOT in one of these categories are not required to have health insurance. You will be notified via your student email that your information has been uploaded to the United Healthcare Student Resources database. At that point you will need to take action by creating an account through the UHC website (UHCSR-Macon State). You will then need to either verify that you have adequate insurance coverage by submitting the SHIP waiver form, or you will need to purchase the SHIP plan by completing the Enrollment Form. See below for more information. If you are not an international student, if you have not been officially ADMITTED to the Nursing or to the Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program, or if you are not enrolled in the courses listed above, you are not eligible for a mandatory policy. See Voluntary Enrollment at United Healthcare Student Resources.

No. If you are not in one of those mandatory categories, you do not have a health insurance requirement and no action is necessary.

Yes. If you are in one of those categories but you have some form of health insurance, you still must take action each semester (see semester question below). You must logon to the UHCSR- Macon State page and select "Create an Account" from the left hand menu. You must then follow the instructions on the website and fill out a SHIP Waiver form so your insurance coverage can be verified as being adequate to meet this requirement. Acceptable coverage may include a policy held by your parent or spouse, or a company or organization on an approved waiver list. Individual or association policies will not be acceptable forms of insurance coverage. Even if you believe your coverage is adequate, it must be verified. When your adequate coverage is verified, you will be notified by UHCSR via your student email that your waiver was approved and that your coverage satisfies the insurance requirement. Your receipt of this approved verification of coverage is crucial. Failure to have your health insurance coverage certified for your waiver will mean that you will be required to purchase the SHIP policy in order to remain a student in the program.

If you are not covered by insurance, or your coverage does not qualify for a SHIP waiver, you will need to create an account and complete the Enrollment Form on the UHCSR- Macon State page and purchase the SHIP insurance coverage if you wish to remain a student in the program. Once you complete the Enrollment Form, the SHIP fee will be automatically applied to your BannerWeb account. The University System of Georgia developed the student health insurance program in order to provide quality health insurance to students in the mandated categories of study at the lowest possible cost.

2012-2013 SHIP Rate Information

The cost of the SHIP premium will be automatically added to your Tuition and Fees bill. If you have adequate coverage, it is your responsibility to initiate the waiver process described above in order to avoid paying the premium.

You will need to successfully secure a waiver or secure coverage from United Healthcare each semester of your enrollment at any University System of Georgia institution.

You must have secured your waiver or have paid for your coverage from United Healthcare Student Resources by February 26, 2013 in order to remain enrolled in your classes. Students who do not secure the waiver or the coverage will be removed from MSC courses for non-payment. Any student removed from enrollment in the Nursing or Respiratory Therapy program will need to reapply for admission.

Macon State College staff and faculty cannot answer more specific questions about a student's insurance plan. You must contact UHCSR Customer Service at 1-866-403-8267. For more information about the UHCSR coverage, please see the United Healthcare Policy Brochure. All additional questions that students may have about this insurance requirement should be directed to United Healthcare Customer Service.