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Kansas State University

Graduate Research Assistant(GRA)/Graduate Teaching Assistant(GTA) Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I make the check payable to?
Please make checks payable to United Healthcare Student Resources or Student Insurance Division.
When can I turn in my application and payment?
Open enrollment is during the months of August, January, and June. You can turn in your application and payment at any time during or before open enrollment, and your coverage will start on the first day of the coverage period (8/1, 1/1, 6/1). For example, if you turn in your application and payment on August 28, your fall coverage will start August 1.
I forgot to turn in my application and payment during open enrollment, what happens now?
Turn in your application as soon as possible, your coverage will start the day we receive your application and payment. You must pay the full semester premium regardless of when you enroll.
My renewal notice says that I should turn it in by January 1st is that correct?
You may turn in your renewal notice and payment at any time during the open enrollment month (January, June), and your coverage date will be backdated to the appropriate date (1/1, or 6/1).
Where do I turn in my application and payment?
Applications, renewal notices, and payments for the GTA/GRA insurance must be turned in to 103 Edwards Hall. You may send these through campus mail, regular mail, or hand deliver them. We are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. For after-hours drop offs, there is a drop box located on the East side of Edwards Hall.
I visited the doctor the other day, and they said I am not covered, but I turned my application in a couple of weeks ago, why am I not covered?
We cannot check for eligibility until your department has turned in your appointment paperwork. Eligibility is checked each Friday and eligible applications are approved and sent to Student Resources for processing. For those not yet appointed, your application will be held until your department turns in your appointment paperwork. Once applications are sent to Student Resources, please allow approximately 3 weeks for your payment to be processed and to receive your insurance card. If you are unsure if you turned in an application, or if you want to check on the status of your application, please send an e-mail to jee4754@ksu.edu.
I'm a Graduate Assistant, am I eligible for the GTA/GRA insurance?
No, only Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) appointed at .5 FTE are eligible for the GTA/GRA insurance. You may apply for the regular student insurance available at www.uhcsr.com.
I'm working as a GTA at .2 FTE and a GRA at .3 FTE, am I eligible for the GTA/GRA insurance?
Yes, as long as your combined FTE as a GTA and GRA is .5 FTE, you are eligible.
I'm not working as a GTA or a GRA during the summer, but I worked last semester, am I still eligible?
No, you must meet the eligibility requirements each semester; however, you may apply for the continuation insurance for the two summer months. If you did not have the GTA/GRA insurance last semester, you can apply for the regular student insurance available at www.uhcsr.com.
I have a coverage question, who should I talk to?
Human Resources cannot answer coverage or claims questions. For coverage or claims questions, please call Student Resources Customer Service at 1-888-344-6104, or e-mail them at customerservice@uhcsr.com.
I want to pay for the whole year, is that possible?
No, because we have to check eligibility each semester, and because your department will be billed for their portion of your coverage each semester, we only accept payment for one semester at a time.
Can I get dental and vision coverage?
At this time, dental and vision coverage are not offered. Student Resources offers discount plans on their website (www.uhcsr.com), however, it is up to you to research these plans and determine if they are right for you.
I'm not sure if I turned in my application yet, can you check?
Sure, just send an e-mail to jee4754@ksu.edu, we'll check and let you know the status of your application.
Where can I get a booklet and application?
You may obtain a booklet and application from your department or from 103 Edwards Hall. You may also download them from our website at www.ksu.edu/hr/benefits/gta.html.
What do I do if I did not receive the renewal notice this semester?
If you do not receive a renewal notice, you can turn in a new application to 103 Edwards Hall. Please remember that since the fall semester is the start of a new plan year, no renewal notices will be sent out for the fall semester. Note: Students are responsible for timely renewal and payment to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Can you deduct the cost of the insurance from my paycheck?
No. We only accept check, Visa, MasterCard, money orders, or travelers checks.
I'm new here and I need to get a TB Test, how does this work with the insurance?
You will need to get the TB test, be appointed, and apply for the insurance during the open enrollment month to ensure that the TB test will be covered. The Office of International Programs can help if you have questions.
I have not received an ID card yet, what do I do?
You may use the temporary ID card from the booklet or from our website when visiting the doctor. If you have turned in your application and payment within the last 4 weeks, it is likely still being processed. After this time, if you have moved, or if you printed an incorrect address on your form, your ID may not have reached you through the mail, please call Customer Service at 1-888-344-6104 to check on the status of your ID card. Please remember that if you were enrolled for the fall semester, you will not receive a new ID card for the spring semester, your ID number will remain the same.
How many hours do I need to take each semester to work as a GTA or a GRA?
Graduate student employees must be enrolled in at least six semester credit hours at K-State during the academic year and at least three semester credit hours at K-State during the summer session. (Enrollment is not required during the summer session for those enrolled in at least six semester credit hours at K-State during the preceding spring semester.) On an exception basis, the Graduate School may approve continued employment while enrolled in a reduced course load during the student's final semester.