The GRA Healthcare Plan Option is a medical plan offered by the University System of Georgia. This option is in addition to the Student Health Insurance Plan coverage option offered through the Institute. Graduate Research Assistants should carefully consider all the types of coverage available to them before enrolling in coverage. The GRA Healthcare Plan Option does not meet the federal guidelines for international students holding F-1 or J-1 visas.
GT Stamps Health Services recommends GRAs enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) administered through United Healthcare. It is a more robust plan offered at a subsidized rate for GRA’s and charged through your student account. Before enrolling in the GRA Healthcare Plan, please consider scheduling a (virtual) appointment with a GTHR Benefits Specialist who can answer questions that you might have about the plan.
Plan Information
For a summary of the services provided under the plan, please review the GRA Summary of Plan Benefits.
Enrollment
GRA’s will be sent information about the plan from the OneUSG Connect-Benefits Center after their hire information is processed. Please remember that this plan is offered in addition to other plans that are available to you. Enrollment is voluntary and you will not be enrolled in the GRA Healthcare Plan unless you elect to enroll by phone or through the OneUSG Connect - Benefits website. If you enroll in the GRA Healthcare Plan the monthly premium cost will be deducted from your pay each pay period. Enrollment in the GRA Healthcare Plan is voluntary. Upon enrollment, participants will receive an Anthem ID card with both the medical and pharmacy plan coverage verification information.
Coverage Period
The annual enrollment period for the GRA Healthcare Option is in January of each year. You will automatically be sent information about the GRA Healthcare Plan during that time. Enrollment under this plan is on a calendar year basis. Coverage will continue through the calendar year unless the Graduate Research Assistant becomes ineligible for the coverage (i.e., graduates or moves into another position) or experiences a qualifying life event.
The GRA plan coverage continues to the last day of the month in which your GRA position ends and at that time you will be offered the option to enroll in COBRA coverage.
Quick View Comparison Chart
| Student Health Insurance Plan | Off-Campus Clients | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance accepted at Stamps Health Services | YES | NO |
| In-network and Out-of-network coverage | YES | YES but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums |
| Cash out of your pocket before the insurance plan pays for any services. |
$0 - Stamps Health Services $250 in-network $300 out-of-network |
$3,000 in-network $6,000 out-of-network |
| Spousal Benefit | YES | NO |
| Co-insurance (lower is better) |
20% in-network 40% out-of-network |
50% in-network 50% out-of-network |
| Routine Doctor Visit | $25 co-pay in-network | 50% in-network |
| Dental Benefit | YES | NO |
| Deductible for prescriptions | NO | YES |
| Vision Benefit | YES | NO |
| Monthly Premium - (the cost you pay. The SHIP is paid per semester but annualized for illustration purposes in order ot compare to the GRA plan.) |
$182.78 (without GRA subsidy) $54.83 (with GRA subsidy) |
$102 |
Important Reminders
- Graduate Research Assistants enrolled in the GRA Health Plan pay premiums through monthly payroll deductions.
- If a Graduate Research Assistant enrolls in the GRA Health Plan and the student is also mandated to have coverage under the Mandatory Student Plan, the student must submit a waiver request to opt out of the mandatory student health insurance plan.
- The GRA Healthcare Plan does not provide repatriation and medical evacuation coverage. International students enrolling in this plan must purchase a standalone repatriation and medical evacuation plan.
- Under the GRA Healthcare Plan, you have the option of covering (1) yourself, or (2) yourself and any eligible child dependents. Spousal coverage is not available under this plan; therefore, family coverage under this plan includes you and your dependent child or children.
- Tobacco Use Surcharge: Graduate Research Assistants and enrolled dependents age 18 or older must certify their tobacco use status. A $100 tobacco-user surcharge (per student and eligible dependent) will be added to the monthly premium for tobacco users.
- GT Stamps Health Services recommends GRAs enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) administered through United Healthcare. It is a more robust plan offered at a subsidized rate for GRA’s and charged through your student account.
- Before enrolling in the GRA Healthcare Plan, please consider scheduling a (virtual) appointment with a GTHR Benefits Specialist who can answer questions that you might have about the plan.
- For a typical GRA at Georgia Tech, the Student Health Insurance Plan is cheaper with more robust benefits.