Student Health Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of services do the Student Care Center (SCC) and Student Counseling and Resource Service (SCRS) provide?

In addition to routine physicals, preventative and acute care, the SCC and SCRS provide many services. Some of these services are highlited in this brochure. For more in-depth information refer to: http://scc.uchicago.edu and http://counseling.uchicago.edu

What is the Quaterly Health and Wellness Fee that appears on my student account? Is there a difference between the Health and Wellness Fee and the SASI health insurance fee?

The Health and Wellness fee is a mandatory fee assessed each quarter of registration at the University of Chicago. The fee allows you access to the SCC and SCRS. The Health and Wellness fee covers a majority of the services you will receive from the SCC and SCRS. The health insurance fee is assessed to students who are enrolled in the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance (SASI) plan, made available to University of Chicago students through the Chickering Group, an Aetna Company, and Aetna Life Insurance Company. Unless you specifically waive the SASI insurance each year, you will be assessed this quaterly fee on your student account.

What is the cost of the Health and Wellness Fee?  What is the SASI plan cost?  

The cost of the student Health and Wellness Fee for the 2007-2008 academic year is $168.00 per quarter. 

The SASI plan cost depends on a number of variables such as plan option, number of dependents, etc.  The SASI plan cost is assessed over three quarters and is automatically billed to the student's account at the beginning of each quarter.  For more detailed information on SASI costs (premiums) visit the following link: Insurance Premiums.

I already have a doctor in the Chicago area who coordinates my health care. So why should I have to pay the Health and Wellness Fee?

Although you may have a physician in the Chicago area, you are encouraged to utilize the services of the SCC and SCRS. Both offices provide high-quality care and are conveniently located right here on campus. The SCC and SCRS have designed their services to meet the varied needs of college and graduate students. Among these services are: a travel clinic for students preparing to study or conduct research abroad, a women's health clinic, nutrition/healthy eating resources, alcohol/substance abuse counseling, dissertation support groups, and many other health education events and products available at the SCC Health Education Office.

If I have access to SCC and SCRS (because I pay the mandatory Health and Wellness Fee), then why do I also need to purchase insurance?

The University requires all registered students to have health insurance coverage either through the SASI plan, or through an alternate comparable insurance. Having health insurance is especially important for decreasing the cost of services that are not provided by the SCC or SCRS, e.g., getting a prescription filled, seeing a specialist, in-patient or out-patient surgery, x-rays, etc.

What is the deadline for making my decision to enroll in or waive SASI?

Annually, students must enroll in or waive enrollment in SASI by 5 p.m. on Friday of the second week of the first quarter of registration for the academic year. Failure to do so will result in enrollment in the SASI Basic Plan by default, and you will be responsible for paying the annual premium.

What is the difference between the two SASI plans (Basic and Advantage)?

The Basic Plan pays for 80% of covered services, after a deductable has been met. Also, the Basic plan has an annual prescription benefit of $1,500. The Advantage plan pays for 90% of covered services after a deductable has been met. Also, the Advantage Plan has an unlimited annual prescription benefit. More information about the two plans can be found on the University of Chicago page of the Chickering website at www.chickering.com.

How do I know if I am enrolled in the SASI insurance this year? 

You can find this information through your cMore account under "Health Enrollments" at: http://cmore.uchicago.edu. Again, unless you take action to waive SASI each year, you will be automatically enrolled in the Basic level of SASI coverage and assessed the annual premium on your student account.

For Students Enrolled in SASI

As a SASI enrollee, where do I go to receive health care?

Students enrolled in SASI who are studying in Chicago, must begin by going to the SCC or SCRS to receive care. The SCC and SCRS serve as the "primary care provider" for students enrolled in SASI. The SCC and SCRS will coordinate your care and make a referral, if necessary, to a specialist. Without a referral from the SCC or SCRS, you will be assessed a non-referral penalty. For SCC, an exeption is made in emergency situations or if you are more than 40 miles from campus.

What if I am enrolled in SASI, but I am physically off campus (e.g., studying abroad, or at home during an academic break)? Where do I receive my health care?

If you are away from campus and you need health care, you should find a physician who is in the SASI (Chickering/Aetna) national network by going to www.chickering.com. Click on "Find Your School" and then, at the University of Chicago page, click on "Find a Doctor."

If you are outside of the United States, then you should go to a local physician or hospital in the country in which you are residing. Most likely, you will be expected to pay the doctor in full at the time of service. After receiving care, you can seek reimbursement from Chickering by contacting one of the University of Chicago SASI insurance coordinators.

How do I find out if I owe money for services I have received, or how much of my prescription benefit I have used?

Students can check their Chickering account balance, as well as prescription benefit balance by using as web tool called Aetna NavigatorTM. To register for Aetna Navigator, go to the University of Chicago page under www.chickering.com and click on "Member Web: Aetna Navigator."

I was examined in the ER and referred to a specialist. Why did I get a referral penalty for seeing a specialist?

The SCC and SCRS serve as the gatekeeper for students covered under the SASI insurance plan. Therefore, students covered under SASI must see and SCC or SCRS provider first before seeking specialty care. The SCC will make an exeption in an emergency or if you are physically more than 40 miles from campus.

Can you back-date my referral because I was not aware of the policy?

It is not the policy of the SCC or SCRS to back-date referrals. The SCC will consider back-dating a one time referral as a courtesy. You must make an appointment with an SCC or SCRS provider for follow-up specialty care.

If I have further questions about SASI, who should I contact?

The University of Chicago has two on-site insurance coordinators. They can be reached at healthaffairs@listhost.uchicago.edu or by phone at (773) 834-4543 or (773) 834-1554. Their offices are located in the Administration Building, Rooms 231 and 232.

For answers to other questions specific to the SASI plan, please also visit: https://chickering.com/schools/uchicago/help.html

Emergency/After Care

What should I know about using the ER?

1. Emergency Room services are NOT COVERED under the Student Health and Wellness Fee. ER services are an insurance charge.

2. The Emergency Room is NOT appropriate for ear aches, upset stomach, emergency contraception, etc.

3. Always contact the SCC Physician-on-Call if you go to the Emergency Room. Call (773) 702-6840 either before you go to the Emergency Room or as soon as possible after your ER visit.

4. The SCC serves as the students's Emergency Room during business hours - come to the SCC first.

5. Tell the Emergency Room staff you are a student and take your insurance card with you.

What is "Urgent Care"? When should I use it? When should I NOT use it?

Urgent Care is an appointment-based clinic for students with urgent medical needs. It is NOT a walk-in clinic; students must make appointments to be seen in Urgent Care. You may use Urgent Care on Saturday mornings when the SCC is closed and you have an urgent medical need such as a sprain, fever, severe pain, etc. DO NOT use the Urgent Care clinic for annual check-ups, travel visits, or starting birth control.
*Saturday clinic during the summer is for those students who have paid the summer Student Health and Wellness Fee.

When should I use an SCC Physician-on-Call? What number do I call?

SCC Physician-on-Call is an after-hours paging service for the University of Chicago students who have urgent concerns that cannot wait until the SCC opens the next day. You should use the SCC Physician-on-Call if the SCC is closed and you have an emergency care concern, such as a severely high fever. This number must also be called if a student is going to the emergency room after hours. As this is a paging service, you should be prepared to leave a message and receive a phone call within minutes. The SCC Physician-on-Call number is (773) 702-6840.