Medical Insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield has waived member cost share (co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles) for many medically-necessary COVID-19 medical expenses. You can find more details on their Coronavirus Resource Center page here: https://home.bluecrossma.com/coronavirus.
Boston College is pleased to announce that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan has been renewed and will continue to be offered to all eligible BC students for the 2020–2021 policy year, effective August 7, 2020. The Student Blue Plan provides comprehensive health insurance that includes access to Blue Cross Blue Shield's networks and pharmacies nationwide
2020–2021 Medical Insurance Information
Enrollment (2020–2021)
All students enrolled in a degree program, regardless of credit hours, and non-degree students enrolled at least 75% of full-time will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Seventy-five percent of full-time enrollment is as follows:
- Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate—7 or more
- Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Graduate—7 or more
- Carroll School of Management Graduate Programs—7 or more
- Connell Graduate School of Nursing—7 or more
- School of Social Work—7 or more
- Woods College of Advancing Studies, Undergraduate—9 or more
- Woods College of Advancing Studies, Graduate—7 or more
- School of Theology and Ministry—7 or more
Students studying abroad through both BC-sponsored and approved external programs will automatically be enrolled. Post-doctorate students are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis.
Boston College will also automatically enroll and charge non-degree graduate and WCAS students registering at the credit levels listed above for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students are responsible for monitoring their eligibility status.
Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States will be automatically enrolled in the Boston College plan regardless of the number of their credit hours.
Insured students have the option of enrolling their eligible dependents (a spouse or a child under the age of 26). The enrollment form is available under the Forms tab. Dependents must be enrolled for the same time period as the student. For example, a student enrolled beginning in the fall semester cannot purchase dependent coverage starting in the spring unless there is a qualifying event; see the enrollment form for further details. Dependents enrolled for the fall must be re-enrolled for the spring and you are responsible for enrolling and re-enrolling your eligible dependents each semester. The deadline to enroll dependents is September 25, 2020 for the fall semester and January 29, 2021 for students newly enrolling for the spring. Enrollment forms received after that date will not be accepted.
| First Semester (8/7/20–1/14/21) |
Second Semester (1/15/21–8/6/21) |
|
| Student (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) | $1,370 | $1,918 |
| Student (International students*) |
$1,380 | $1,931 |
| Spouse (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) | $3205.45 | $4487.63 |
| Spouse (International students*) | $3215.45 | $4500.63 |
| All Children (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) | $2500.79 | $3500.69 |
| All Children (International students*) | $2518.40 | $3523.76 |
*The policy for international students includes coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan Coverage
The plan offers comprehensive benefits that include hospital room and board, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, lab work, x-rays, chemotherapy, radiation, inpatient and outpatient mental health, physician office and consultant visits, ambulance, and prescription drugs.
Refer to the summary of benefits (PDF) and the information available at GallagherStudent.com/BC for complete details about coverage, limitations and exclusions.
Referrals from University Health Services
A referral is not required with Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan, but there are many benefits to first seeking care or advice from Boston College's University Health Services. Visit University Health Services' website for more information.
Coverage off Campus
If you paid the premium for the entire year, you will be covered from August 7, 2020 through August 6, 2021. Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan provides the same benefits for students while they are on campus or on semester breaks, summer vacation, or study or travel abroad.
While studying or traveling abroad, keep your identification card with you and take a copy of the brochure for reference. When outside the United States, you will likely be asked to pay for your medical care first and then will need to seek reimbursement. Covered expenses will be reimbursed on a non-network basis. When you submit claims for reimbursement, you will need to have the itemized bill(s) translated into English and include a letter informing the claims administrator that you are seeking reimbursement for charges previously paid. Be sure to include your name, ID number, address (to receive your reimbursement check), and the University's name on the bill.
On Call International can be reached toll free from the United States or Canada at 800-850-4556, or visit OnCallInternational.com.
Coverage after Graduation
Boston College students insured by BlueCross BlueShield can enroll in BlueCross BlueShield's direct non-group plan after their coverage ends through Boston College's program. The number at BlueCross BlueShield is 800-422-3545 to enroll.
Beginning in 2020, ID cards will be electronic. You can access your insurance ID in a few ways:
- Visit www.gallagherstudent.com/bc and create an account. You can download a verification letter with your insurance ID number, which you can use as you would an insurance card.
- Once you have your insurance ID number (see directions above), you can download the Blue Cross Blue Shield app for a digital ID card on your phone.
If you are continuing on the Student Blue Plan from last year, your ID card is still valid.
Students who are enrolled in the student insurance plan and who are required to take a leave of absence from Boston College for medical reasons will continue to be covered for the remainder of the semester in which the withdrawal takes place. Coverage may also be extended for the following semester with approval from Boston College. Please contact the Office of Student Services for more information.
Students who initially waive participation in the Student Blue Plan and subsequently wish to enroll prior to the waiver deadline may rescind waivers by deleting the prior waiver on the www.bc.edu/myservices or by completing the Rescind Waiver form, available on the Forms tab. After the waiver deadline, a student may enroll in the Student Blue Plan only on the basis of a qualifying event. Qualifying events include marriage, birth of a child, or loss of coverage from an existing policy. Students who qualify may submit a Petition to Add form, available under the Forms tab.
Waivers (2020–2021)
The medical insurance coverage periods are August 7, 2020 to January 14, 2021 for the fall and January 15, 2021 to August 6, 2021 for the spring. Waivers received by September 25, 2020 are for the entire academic year, and those received by January 29, 2021 are for the spring. By waiving the BC Student Health Insurance Plan, a student is waiving coverage for the full coverage period.
Students who are enrolled in a health plan that is comparable to the Student Blue Plan may waive the BC coverage through www.bc.edu/myservices if they are at least 18 years old. Students under the age of 18 cannot file an electronic waiver. You and your parent or guardian must sign and submit a waiver form before the deadline.
To provide proof of comparable coverage, a student will need to have information about his or her current health insurance plan readily available. By waiving the BC coverage, a student is confirming the following:
- The student is covered by the indicated medical insurance policy and will maintain coverage for the full 2020–2021 academic year.
- The student has compared their policy to the Student Blue Plan and certifies that their plan provides benefits that are at least comparable to the Student Blue Plan: 2020–2021 Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan Summary of Benefits.
- The student’s plan provides reasonable comprehensive coverage of health services, including primary care, emergency services, surgical services, hospitalization benefits, ambulatory patient services, and mental health services, along with coverage for lab work, diagnostic x-rays, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and prescription coverage, and that these services are reasonably accessible in the area where the student is attending school. A plan that provides coverage through a closed network of providers, not reasonably accessible to the student in the area where they attend school, for all but emergency services, does not qualify for a waiver.
- The student’s plan is not an out-of-state Medicaid plan, or one of the following MA Medicaid Plans: Children’s Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited and Health Safety Net. These plans do not qualify for a waiver. MassHealth plans other than those listed here are acceptable for a waiver.
- No claims have been submitted for payment under the Student Blue Plan for the 2020–2021 enrollment periods.
- The student assumes full responsibility for any medical expenses incurred during the insurance enrollment periods and neither Boston College nor the insurance company will be held responsible for any expenses incurred.
- Students travelling outside of the United States certify that their insurance plan provides reasonable and comprehensive coverage in the location where they are studying. If the student visits the United States during the 2020–2021 academic year, they will purchase a U.S.-based qualifying medical plan (as described above) for the period of their stay in the U.S.
Incomplete waivers will not be processed. Waivers must be completed every year. All waivers must be submitted by September 25, 2020 for the entire academic year or by January 29, 2021 for the spring semester only. Students who do not complete a waiver prior to the deadline will automatically be enrolled in and charged the student-only premium for the Student Blue Plan. Once the waiver is submitted, the charge will be removed from the student account within forty-eight hours; students and authorized payers can verify the adjustment by logging in to www.bc.edu/myservices ("My Bill") and viewing Current Activity on the View & Pay Accounts tab. Students are responsible for verifying that their waiver was submitted correctly.
Providing insurance information to other offices on campus (e.g., Athletics, Health Services) does not fulfill the waiver requirement. If a student does not complete a waiver with the Office of Student Services, either through www.bc.edu/myservices or on paper, prior to the deadline, he or she will automatically be enrolled in and charged for the Student Blue Plan.
Students who missed the deadline, but have extenuating circumstances, may submit a Petition to Waive After Published Deadline form, available on the Forms tab.
Students are eligible for the insurance plans offered through the Health Connector but should review these plans carefully, because they may have high deductibles.
In order to ensure international students are covered by a plan that provides coverage which meets or exceeds the Student Health Insurance Plan, international students are not eligible to waive BC's Student Health Insurance Plan. If you are insured through (1) your own or a parent/guardian/spouse’s health insurance plan offered through a U.S. employer or (2) a government sponsored program, (for example Government of Kuwait/UAE or Government of Saudi Arabia), you may be eligible for a waiver. MA Medicaid Plans: Children’s Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited, and Health Safety Net do not qualify for a waiver.
If you plan to study remotely from outside of the U.S., you can complete a waiver form here: https://forms.gle/Xn9YQ4JZQitQCd5W9.
Forms (2020–2021)
| 2020–2021 Policy Year |
|---|
| Petition to Waive Insurance After Deadline |
| Petition to Add |
| Waiver: Students Studying Online Only You must be logged in to your BC Google or Gmail account (g.bc.edu) to access this form. |
Contacts and Questions (2020–2021)
Enrollment, Benefits, Replacement IDs
Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk
500 Victory Road, Quincy, MA 02171
800-394-4026
GallagherStudent.com/BC (site includes form to email questions)
Claims and Claim Payments
Blue Cross Blue Shield
BlueCrossMA.com
BCBS Preferred Providers (Massachusetts and Nationwide)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Policy Number: 4956160
http://provider.bcbs.com/
Participating Pharmacies
ExpressScripts
Express-Scripts.com
EyeMed Discount Vision Plan
866-839-3633
EnrollWithEyeMed.com
Basix Dental Savings Plan
888-274-9961
BasixStudent.com
Basix Dental Savings Program
Optional Dental Plan:
Students can voluntarily enroll in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Blue plan. This coverage is NOT included with your student medical insurance plan; coverage is optional and purchased separately. Students do not need to be enrolled in the medical insurance plan to purchase the dental plan. The cost is $528 for coverage form August 15, 2020 through August 14, 2021. To enroll, go to GallagherStudent.com/BC and select "Dental Enrollment Form" on the left navigation bar. The deadline to enroll is September 30, 2020 for fall and annual plans and February 28, 2021 for spring plans.
2019–2020 Medical Insurance Information
Enrollment (2019–2020)
All students enrolled in a degree program, regardless of credit hours, and non-degree students enrolled at least 75% of full-time will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Seventy-five percent of full-time enrollment is as follows:
- Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate—7 or more
- Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Graduate—7 or more
- Carroll School of Management Graduate Programs—7 or more
- Connell Graduate School of Nursing—7 or more
- School of Social Work—7 or more
- Woods College of Advancing Studies, Undergraduate—9 or more
- Woods College of Advancing Studies, Graduate—7 or more
- School of Theology and Ministry—7 or more
Students studying abroad through both BC-sponsored and approved external programs will automatically be enrolled. Post-doctorate students are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis.
Boston College will also automatically enroll and charge non-degree graduate and WCAS students registering at the credit levels listed above for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students are responsible for monitoring their eligibility status.
Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States will be automatically enrolled in the Boston College plan regardless of the number of their credit hours.
Students enrolled exclusively online are eligible to waive the insurance. The waiver form is available on the Forms tab.
Insured students have the option of enrolling their eligible dependents (a spouse or a child under the age of 26). You may also enroll dependents online at GallagherStudent.com/BC. Dependents must be enrolled for the same time period as the student. For example, a student enrolled beginning in the fall semester cannot purchase dependent coverage starting in the spring unless there is a qualifying event; see the enrollment form for further details. Dependents enrolled for the fall must be re-enrolled for the spring and you are responsible for enrolling and re-enrolling your eligible dependents each semester. The deadline to enroll dependents is September 20, 2019, for the fall semester and January 24, 2020, for the spring semester. Enrollment forms received after that date will not be accepted.
| First Semester (8/7/19–1/9/20) |
Second Semester (1/10/20–8/6/20) |
|
| Student | $1,300 | $1,820 |
| Spouse | $3,007 | $4,213 |
| All children | $2,352 | $3,290 |
Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan Coverage
The plan offers comprehensive benefits that include hospital room and board, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, lab work, x-rays, chemotherapy, radiation, inpatient and outpatient mental health, physician office and consultant visits, ambulance, and prescription drugs.
Refer to the summary of benefits (PDF) and the information available at GallagherStudent.com/BC for complete details about coverage, limitations and exclusions.
Referrals from University Health Services
A referral is not required with Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan, but there are many benefits to first seeking care or advice from Boston College's University Health Services. Visit University Health Services' website for more information.
Coverage off Campus
If you paid the premium for the entire year, you will be covered from August 7, 2019, through August 6, 2020. Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan provides the same benefits for students while they are on campus or on semester breaks, summer vacation, or study or travel abroad.
While studying or traveling abroad, keep your identification card with you and take a copy of the brochure for reference. When outside the United States, you will likely be asked to pay for your medical care first and then will need to seek reimbursement. Covered expenses will be reimbursed on a non-network basis. When you submit claims for reimbursement, you will need to have the itemized bill(s) translated into English and include a letter informing the claims administrator that you are seeking reimbursement for charges previously paid. Be sure to include your name, ID number, address (to receive your reimbursement check), and the University's name on the bill.
On Call International can be reached toll free from the United States or Canada at 800-850-4556, or visit OnCallInternational.com.
Coverage after Graduation
Boston College students insured by BlueCross BlueShield can enroll in BlueCross BlueShield's direct non-group plan after their coverage ends through Boston College's program. The number at BlueCross BlueShield is 800-422-3545 to enroll.
If you are continuing on the Student Blue Plan from last year, your ID card is still valid. You will not be issued a new one. If you are new to the Student Blue Plan, you will receive an insurance ID card at either the on-campus or local address that BC has on file for you. Please go to www.bc.edu/myservices ("Update Your Address/Phone/Emergency Contact Information") and keep your local address up-to-date to ensure proper delivery. Carry your insurance ID card at all times. Show it to any health care provider or pharmacy before receiving care or filling a prescription.
If you need to see a doctor before you receive your ID, tell the provider that you are covered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan offered through Boston College. You do not need your card in order to be eligible to receive benefits. Your provider can call Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at 800-394-4026 to verify eligibility. You can also download a letter confirming enrollment from GallagherStudent.com/BC, or download the Blue Cross Blue Shield MyBlue app to obtain a digital ID card. See http://myblue.bluecrossma.com/student for more information.
Students who are enrolled in the student insurance plan and who are required to take a leave of absence from Boston College for medical reasons will continue to be covered for the remainder of the semester in which the withdrawal takes place. Coverage may also be extended for the following semester with approval from Boston College. Please contact the Office of Student Services for more information.
Students who initially waive participation in the Student Blue Plan and subsequently wish to enroll prior to the waiver deadline may rescind waivers by deleting the prior waiver on the www.bc.edu/myservices or by completing the Rescind Waiver form, available on the Forms tab. After the waiver deadline, a student may enroll in the Student Blue Plan only on the basis of a qualifying event. Qualifying events include marriage, birth of a child, or loss of coverage from an existing policy. Students who qualify may submit a Petition to Add form, available under the Forms tab.
Waivers (2019–2020)
The medical insurance coverage periods are August 7, 2019 to January 9, 2020 for the fall and January 10, 2020 to August 6, 2020 for the spring. Waivers received by September 20, 2019 are for the entire academic year and those received by January 24, 2020 are for the spring. By waiving the BC Student Health Insurance Plan, a student is waiving coverage for the full coverage period.
Students who are enrolled in a health plan that is comparable to the Student Blue Plan may waive the BC coverage through www.bc.edu/myservices if they are at least 18 years old. Students under the age of 18 cannot file an electronic waiver. You and your parent or guardian must sign and submit a waiver form before the deadline.
To provide proof of comparable coverage, a student will need to have information about his or her current health insurance plan readily available. By waiving the BC coverage, a student is confirming the following:
- The student is covered by the indicated medical insurance policy and will maintain coverage for the full 2019–2020 academic year.
- The student has compared their policy to the Student Blue Plan and certifies that their plan provides benefits that are at least comparable to the Student Blue Plan: 2019–2020 Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan Summary of Benefits.
- The student’s plan provides reasonable comprehensive coverage of health services, including primary care, emergency services, surgical services, hospitalization benefits, ambulatory patient services, and mental health services, along with coverage for lab work, diagnostic x-rays, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and prescription coverage, and that these services are reasonably accessible in the area where the student is attending school. A plan that provides coverage through a closed network of providers, not reasonably accessible to the student in the area where they attend school, for all but emergency services, does not qualify for a waiver.
- The student’s plan is not an out-of-state Medicaid plan, or one of the following MA Medicaid Plans: Children’s Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited and Health Safety Net. These plans do not qualify for a waiver. MassHealth plans other than those listed here are acceptable for a waiver.
- No claims have been submitted for payment under the Student Blue Plan for the 2019–2020 enrollment periods.
- The student assumes full responsibility for any medical expenses incurred during the insurance enrollment periods and neither Boston College nor the insurance company will be held responsible for any expenses incurred.
- Students travelling outside of the United States certify that their insurance plan provides reasonable and comprehensive coverage in the location where they are studying. If the student visits the United States during the 2019–2020 academic year, they will purchase a U.S.-based qualifying medical plan (as described above) for the period of their stay in the U.S.
Incomplete waivers will not be processed. Waivers must be completed every year. All waivers must be submitted by September 20, 2019, for the entire academic year or by January 24, 2020, for the spring semester only. Students who do not complete a waiver prior to the deadline will automatically be enrolled in and charged the student-only premium for the Student Blue Plan. Once the waiver is submitted, the charge will be removed from the student account in real time; students and authorized payers can verify the adjustment by logging in to www.bc.edu/myservices ("My Bill") and viewing Current Activity on the View & Pay Accounts tab. Students are responsible for verifying that their waiver was submitted correctly.
Providing insurance information to other offices on campus (e.g., Athletics, Health Services) does not fulfill the waiver requirement. If a student does not complete a waiver with the Office of Student Services, either through www.bc.edu/myservices or on paper, prior to the deadline, he or she will automatically be enrolled in and charged for the Student Blue Plan.
Students who missed the deadline, but have extenuating circumstances, may submit a Petition to Waive After Published Deadline form, available on the Forms tab.
Students are eligible for the insurance plans offered through the Health Connector but should review these plans carefully, because they may have high deductibles.
In order to ensure international students are covered by a plan that provides coverage which meets or exceeds the Student Health Insurance Plan, international students are not eligible to waive BC's Student Health Insurance Plan. If you are insured through (1) your own or a parent/guardian/spouse’s health insurance plan offered through a U.S. employer or (2) a government sponsored program, (for example Government of Kuwait/UAE or Government of Saudi Arabia), you may be eligible for a waiver. MA Medicaid Plans: Children’s Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited, and Health Safety Net do not qualify for a waiver.
Forms (2019–2020)
| 2019–2020 Policy Year |
|---|
| 2019–2020 Petition to Add After Deadline |
| Summer 2020 Enrollment Form for New Students |
Contacts and Questions (2019–2020)
Enrollment, Benefits, Replacement IDs
Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk
500 Victory Road, Quincy, MA 02171
800-394-4026
GallagherStudent.com/BC (site includes form to email questions)
Claims and Claim Payments
Blue Cross Blue Shield
BlueCrossMA.com
BCBS Preferred Providers (Massachusetts and Nationwide)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Policy Number: 4956160
http://provider.bcbs.com/
Participating Pharmacies
ExpressScripts
Express-Scripts.com
EyeMed Discount Vision Plan
866-839-3633
EnrollWithEyeMed.com
Basix Dental Savings Plan
888-274-9961
BasixStudent.com
Basix Dental Savings Program
Optional Dental Plan:
Students can voluntarily enroll in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Blue plan. This coverage is NOT included with your student medical insurance plan; coverage must be purchased separately. Students do not need to be enrolled in the medical insurance plan to purchase the dental plan. The cost is $528 for coverage from August 15, 2019 through August 14, 2020. To enroll, go to www.gallagherstudent.com/bc and click on the “Dental Enrollment Form” link. The enrollment deadline is September 30, 2019 for fall or annual coverage and February 29, 2020 for spring-only coverage.