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Northern Illinois University

Student Health Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility & Enrollment:

  1. How do I apply for the student insurance?
  2. Is there coverage available for my dependents?
  3. If I cancel the insurance and then lose my other insurance, can I sign up for the NIU insurance?
  4. Is there a deadline to apply for the insurance?
  5. Is there coverage available for over the summer?

Canceling:

  1. If I have other health insurance coverage, why should I keep this one?
  2. How do I cancel my insurance?
  3. If I cancel the insurance once, is that good for the whole time I’m at NIU?
  4. What happens if I miss the deadline to cancel the insurance?
  5. Can I still go to Health Services if I cancel this insurance?

Coverage:

  1. What does this plan cover?
  2. Are pre-existing conditions covered?
  3. Can I go to any doctor or hospital?
  4. What happens if I get sick or hurt while I am traveling overseas?
  5. Where do I get an ID card?

Costs:

  1. What is a deductible and how much is it?
  2. Does it cost extra to go to the emergency room?
  3. Does this policy pay all my medical bills?

 Claims:

  1. How do I file a claim?
  2. Where do I submit claims?
  3. Do I need to fill out a claim form every time I see a doctor?
  4. How do I check on the status of my claim?

Eligibility & Enrollment:

  1. How do I apply for the student insurance?
    All students registered for 9 or more on-campus hours and all International Students are automatically charged for the NIU Student health insurance plan.  Any student registered for 6 or more credit hours can apply for the insurance. 
  2. Is there coverage available for my dependents?
    A student can add dependents to the plan as long as the student is covered by the insurance plan.  Dependents must enroll every semester that they want coverage.
  3. If I cancel the insurance and then lose my other insurance, can I sign up for the NIU insurance?
    Yes – when you are notified that you are going to lose your current coverage, just fill out an application, and your NIU policy will be effective the day you lose your other insurance coverage. You will have to bring in proof from the prior insurance company that you are losing coverage.
  4. Is there a deadline to apply for the insurance?
    Yes, you must sign up for the insurance within the first 15 days of classes, unless you lose coverage from your insurance company.
  5. Is there coverage available for over the summer?
    If you are enrolled for the spring semester, you are covered for the summer for free.  If you do not have spring coverage, you can apply for summer only coverage.

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Canceling:

  1. If I have other health insurance coverage, why should I keep this one?
    You should consider keeping this as supplemental coverage.  Very few group plans cover all medical expenses.  The NIU plan is designed to coordinate benefits with your primary coverage to reduce or eliminate many Out-of-Pocket expenses that you would be responsible for without additional coverage.  The NIU plan also covers you when you travel overseas – which is great for semester break travels!
  2. How do I cancel my insurance?
    During the waiver process period, if you are 18 or older, you must go on-line to waive the insurance.  If you are younger than 18, please contact the Student Insurance Office for more information.  (815) 753-0122 or email us at StudentInsurance@NIU.edu.  If you miss the waiver process period, then you must file an Appeal.
  3. If I cancel the insurance once, is it good for the whole time I’m at NIU?
    No!  When you cancel the insurance, a cancellation is good for 1 year.  Each fall you have to cancel the insurance for that school year. 
  4. What happens if I miss the deadline?
    If you miss the deadline to cancel the insurance, you will have to fill out an Appeal.  To file an Appeal, you need to get a letter from your current insurance company that states you are covered on their policy.  Then you will have to write a letter to the Appeal Board explaining the reason you missed the Cancellation deadline.  Finally, you will have to fill out an Appeal Form.  These 3 documents will go to the Appeal Board who will review the forms and decide if you can cancel the coverage.  Their decision is binding.
  5. Can I still go to Health Services if I cancel this insurance?
    Yes!  Health Services is NOT connected with Student Insurance.  All NIU Students who have at least 1 credit hour on-campus can use Health Services.  Health Services should be the first place you go unless you have an emergency.  Most services at Health Services are available without charge to students taking on-campus hours. 

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Coverage:

  1. What does this plan cover?
    This plan is an Accident and Sickness policy. It covers doctor’s visits, hospitalization, diagnostic and lab services, physical therapy, maternity, mental healthcare, and other illnesses.  It does not cover routine checkups, prescription drugs, dental, or vision.
  2. Is there pre-existing condition exclusion on this plan?
    Pre-existing conditions are not covered until you have been insured with this plan for at least one year.
  3. Can I go to any doctor or hospital?
    You can go to any doctor or hospital you want to.  You will get a bigger discount if you use one in the network.  You can find out what doctors and hospitals are in the network by going to https://www.academichealthplans.com/niu/provider.asp. 
  4. What happens if I get sick or hurt while I am traveling overseas?
    Just call Global Emergency Services, and they will make all the arrangements to get you medical treatment or to get you home. 
  5. Where do I get an ID card?
    Call, Email, or come into our office.  We will give you an ID card and brochure, and answer any questions you may have about the policy.

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Costs:

  1. What is a deductible and how much is it?
    A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company pays your claim.  The plan has an annual deductible of $250.  It also has a separate $100 deductible per emergency room visit. 
  2. Does it cost extra to go to the emergency room?
    Yes – you will have to pay the extra emergency room deductible each time you go there and then 20% of the remaining bill.  Only go to the emergency room for emergencies!  If you are sick, go to Health Services – it’s free!
  3. Does this policy pay all my medical bills?
    No – you will have to pay your deductible and then 20% of the remaining bills.

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Claims:

  1. How do I file a claim?
    You will have to fill out a claim form and then have the doctor or hospital send the bill to the NIU Student Insurance office for processing.  Claims must be submitted to the Student Insurance office within 52 weeks from date of service to be eligible for benefits.
  2. Where do I submit claims?
    Have the doctor or hospital send the claim to us – Northern Illinois University, Student Insurance Office, Health Service Building Room 201, DeKalb, IL 60115.  Or they can fax it to (815) 753-0965.
  3. Do I need to fill out a claim form every time I see a doctor?
    You only need to fill out our claim form for each different injury or illness.   
  4. How do I check on the status of my claim?
    Click on the link for Check Claim Status – it will take you to the claim Web site.  Then just enter your Z-ID and password and you’ll be able to check on all of your pending and processed claims.

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