If you’re one of those students, take a few minutes to learn how health insurance works when you’re away from home.
Health Insurance 101
Lesson #1: Bring along your ConnectiCare member ID card and have it handy. It’s proof that you have health insurance. That’s more important than ever today.
Other basic information you should know includes:
1. Take a medicine on a regular basis? Use Express Scripts for convenient delivery of any maintenance medicines you take. If you already have delivery set up, update your school address so you don’t miss a dose.
2. Know if you have telemedicine. Download the app, if you do. When you can’t get home to your primary care provider (PCP), you can use telemedicine to talk to a doctor 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for one low copay. Sign into our member website to find a link to your plan’s telemedicine provider.*
3. Learn how to find in-network doctors and urgent care centers. Our “Find a doctor” tool can help you search near campus. If you visit an out-of-network doctor, it could cost you a lot more than you thought it would.
4. Know that in an emergency, you’re covered. You’re covered for urgent and emergency care wherever you are (keep in mind, there may be deductibles, copayments or coinsurance). Depending on your plan, though, you may be limited as to other medical services you can get outside the ConnectiCare network. Details are in the plan documents available on connecticare.com to the parent or guardian whose plan you’re on.
5. Find out what’s on campus. Many colleges have a health center where students can see a nurse, doctor, or other health care professional. Know how to access your school’s health services if you need them and save their number in your phone. Note that you may need preauthorization if the school health center is not in network.
6. Get a flu shot! Many campuses will likely hold clinics, or you can visit an in-network pharmacy to get a shot (have your ConnectiCare ID card). This year it’s particularly important to protect yourself from the seasonal flu. The healthier you can be, the better prepared your body will be to fight other viruses or infections.
COVID-19 Coverage
We hope it doesn’t happen, but know how your health insurance will help. ConnectiCare plans cover testing for COVID-19 when a medical professional orders the test after evaluating your symptoms or your potential exposure. If you get sick, your plan’s coverage for doctor’s visits or, if needed, hospital stays will apply. What you’ll pay toward those costs – copays, deductibles, or coinsurance – depends on your plan.
Extra Credit: Self-Care
We know you’ll be busy, with compressed semesters, reading to do, and papers to write. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect self-care!
Schedule time to check in with yourself and see if you need a break. Your school may host events to help you decompress while following appropriate safety guidelines. Check campus calendars regularly. Take advantage of activities that interest you.
We’re Here if You Need Us
If you have questions about your health insurance coverage at school, call us 1-800-251-7722 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Here’s to a safe and productive school year!
*Telemedicine is covered by many ConnectiCare plans. If you are covered by an employer’s plan, you may have a different telemedicine coverage. Ask the policy holder to talk to their human resources department for more information.