Finance | Health Subsidy

2022 - 2023 Medical Insurance Subsidy for Doctoral Students

For the academic year 2022-2023 (August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023), Rice University will contribute $2,248 towards the cost of annual premiums for doctoral students who meet the eligibility requirements for the subsidy.

Open enrollment for Fall 2022 is July 1 - August 26.

Eligibility

Students must meet ALL eligibility requirements to receive any of the subsidy:

• Full-time doctoral student
• Within the first eight years of graduate study at Rice University
• Enrolled in the Rice medical insurance plan
• Insurance costs are not covered by a third party or an outside fellowship

Full-time Doctoral students are eligible for the subsidy whether or not they receive other financial support from the university.

Other financial support covering medical charges will be applied first for eligible full-time doctoral students. The subsidy will cover any remaining balance on medical charges but not exceed the remaining balance.

Coverage and Plans

For individual coverage, the subsidy will be 80% of the premium. Rice will also supplement the subsidy by up to $702 (25%) for a spouse and child(ren). The doctoral medical insurance subsidy will be awarded to both the first and second child. The subsidy supplement will be subject to federal taxes for students who add family coverage. Information regarding taxability will be posted on the Rice student health insurance website.

The plan design will remain the same, including network deductible, network coinsurance, out‐of‐pocket maximum, and co‐pays.

New for 2022‐23, students can enroll in optional dental insurance directly through BrightBenefits. This is not part of the student medical insurance plan but instead, in addition to the standard health insurance plan. An additional premium applies and is due at the time of enrollment.

Aetna members will continue to have access to telehealth consultations through Teladoc for 2022‐23. Teladoc provides 24/7/365 access to a national network of U.S. board‐certified physicians who can resolve many medical issues via phone or online video consultations. Teladoc doctors can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for various conditions, including sinus problems, bronchitis, allergies, sore throat, stuffy nose, urinary tract infections, etc. Log into your Aetna account via www.teladoc.com/Aetna or call 1‐855‐TELADOC (l‐855‐835‐2362), and a Teladoc physician is guaranteed to call back within an hour. Teladoc consultations are billed as regular office visits.

Qualifying Life Events

For information on qualifying life events, including the birth of a child, please visit Student Health Insurance-Qualifying Life Events.

To enroll in coverage due to a qualifying life event, please email studentinsurance@rice.edu.

Rice will prorate both the insurance premium and subsidy in the case of a qualifying life event.

Installment Plan

The installment plan will continue to be available for graduate students who enroll in the annual Rice medical insurance plan and receive a Rice stipend of at least $5,000 per academic year. Qualifying students have the option to make monthly payments throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, beginning in September and ending in April. You can apply for this payment plan on the Student Health Insurance Webpage.

Resources

Aetna Student Health does not mail out physical medical ID cards. To access your medical ID card or to request a physical medical ID card, please visit Student Health Insurance for instructions.

If you have any questions regarding insurance coverage, please contact studentinsurance@rice.edu or call 713‐348‐5544.

For questions regarding the subsidy, please contact graduate@rice.edu or call 713‐348‐4002.

Below is a summary of the 2022-23 insurance premiums, subsidies, and net cost to qualifying students after the subsidy:

*Premium is per child; however, no additional premium is charged if more than two children are covered. The doctoral medical insurance subsidy will be extended to both the first and second children.

View 2021-2022 information.