Should I Waive Law School Insurance Plan (LAW School)

New Jersey State law requires that full-time matriculated students be covered by health insurance. Seton Hall University provides a group health insurance plan for law students for which the fee is automatically billed along with tuition and other fees. If you currently have health insurance and are considering filing a waiver form to be exempted from the Law Student Insurance Plan, please ask your health insurance carrier the following questions. Please note: to be exempted from the Law Student Insurance Plan, a waiver form must be filed for each academic year you are enrolled.

Questions to ask your insurance carrier:

1) Is the Newark, New Jersey area included within your health insurance carrier’s benefit coverage area?

If not, then in effect you do not have health insurance coverage for local providers while attending school, which is nine to eleven months out of the year. Make sure you understand where you will need to go for medical services.

2) Does your other health insurance carrier provide out of area coverage only in case of emergency care? If so, how do they define an emergency?

Illness that might seem quite critical in the middle of the night, may or may not be considered an emergency by a health insurance carrier. (Health Services is currently open during the calendar year from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm; Health Services is closed at all other times, including holidays when the University is closed.)

3) Does your plan have a deductible? If so, how much is it and under what circumstances is it due?

Some deductibles are due annually, while others are due per occurrence (accident or illness).

(The Law Student Insurance Plan has a $200 annual deductible.)

4) To what age limit are you covered under your current health insurance plan?

You need to check your policy to make sure you will be covered. Policies vary, and age limits and/or full-time student status may affect your eligibility for coverage. This may change at the end of a calendar year. (There is no age limit for students in the Law Student Insurance Plan.)

5) Is the student required to contact the Primary Medical Provider before receiving emergency care?

Some insurance plans require that patients notify or get a referral before seeking emergency care. (The Law Student Insurance Plan does not require any prior notification or referral. Students are encouraged to notify Health Services after receiving emergency care , so that we may update your medical records and provide any needed follow up care)

6) Is the student required to obtain a referral form from the Primary Medical Provider before he/she can see a physician, specialist or psychologist in the Newark area?

Many health insurance plans and HMO’s require referrals from the Primary Medical Provider in order for the services of specialists to be covered. (The Law Student Insurance Plan does not require referrals from Health Services. Insurance coverage begins from the first off-campus visit. Health Services is available to provide a full range of primary medical care services, including referrals)

7) Does your health insurance cover emergency dental care?

(The Law Student Insurance Plan provides for limited emergency dental care for accidental injuries.)

8) Does your insurance carrier have a website that you can use as a resource?

(Details about the Law School Insurance Plan)