Navigating health care as a student can be complex, but East Carolina University (ECU) ensures that all eligible on-campus students have access to comprehensive health coverage. This guide clarifies the Ecu Health Care requirements, explains the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and outlines how you can enroll or waive coverage.
Why Health Insurance is an ECU Requirement
Unexpected health issues can arise, and for uninsured students, serious illness or injury can lead to significant financial burdens and academic disruption. To safeguard student well-being, ECU, like all North Carolina state institutions, mandates health insurance for students meeting specific criteria.
For students lacking insurance or with insufficient coverage, ECU offers the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). SHIP provides a range of benefits at a reasonable cost, including wellness programs, prescription coverage, and basic vision care. The cost of SHIP is conveniently billed per semester with your tuition. Coverage periods align with the academic semesters: August 1 to December 31 for the fall semester and January 1 to July 31 for the spring semester. ECU Student Health Services (SHS) will handle claim submissions to SHIP for services provided on campus. However, students are responsible for managing claims and correspondence with external health care providers.
Who is Eligible for ECU Student Health Care?
Eligibility for mandatory health insurance at ECU depends on your student status:
Undergraduate Students:
- Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking, on-campus program.
- Must be registered for 6 or more credit hours each semester (Fall/Spring).
- Must pay the health service fee as part of tuition.
Graduate Students:
- Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking, on-campus program.
- Must be registered for 3 or more credit hours each semester (Fall/Spring).
- Must pay the health service fee as part of tuition.
How SHIP and the Health Service Fee Work Together for Your ECU Health Care
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and the mandatory “Health Service Fee” are designed to work in tandem, providing affordable and accessible health care for ECU students. The Health Service Fee, paid with tuition, covers many basic services at Student Health Services (SHS). SHIP complements this by covering costs for office visits and ancillary services such as labs, x-rays, medical supplies, and medications that are not included in the Health Service Fee.
Think of SHIP as you would any standard health insurance plan. It can be utilized for appointments with off-campus providers as well as for services received at SHS.
For your convenience, SHS directly files insurance claims for SHIP and several other major insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Coventry, First Health Network, MedCost, TRICARE East, and UnitedHealthcare. However, it’s important to note that SHS may not be in-network with all insurance carriers. Students are strongly encouraged to review their individual insurance policy details regarding coverage and benefits before seeking medical care.
As of February 1, 2023, students with out-of-network insurance will be charged directly by the University Cashier’s Office for medical services at SHS. While SHS will still courtesy file claims to out-of-network insurers, it is the student’s responsibility to manage payments to the Cashier’s Office and follow up on any claim denials with their insurance provider, as payments or denial information may be sent directly to the insured student.
Understanding SHIP Benefits and Costs for ECU Students
Student Blue, powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, provides a dedicated website for ECU students and parents to explore the comprehensive benefits offered by SHIP. To delve into plan details, including a summary of benefits, medical coverage specifics, and health/wellness resources, please visit the Student Blue for ECU benefits page.
Here’s a breakdown of the semester-based premium rates:
- Premium Plan: $1,475.32* per semester
- Value Plan: $1,182.28* per semester
*Rates are pending approval from the Department of Insurance.
Coverage periods are: Fall Semester: August 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024; Spring Semester: January 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025.
If you need assistance in choosing the right plan for your ECU health care needs, the resources on the Student Blue website can provide further guidance.
How to Enroll in SHIP for ECU Health Care Coverage
Students meeting the eligibility criteria will automatically be billed for SHIP with their tuition. If you intend to utilize SHIP, it’s advisable to enroll before the coverage start date. Early enrollment allows you to access your benefits as soon as coverage begins, rather than waiting for your insurance card to arrive after the university’s automatic enrollment process is completed post-deadline.
Enroll in SHIP after registering for classes.
Enrollment Steps:
- Visit the Student Blue of North Carolina website.
- Click on “Find Your School” and select “East Carolina University”.
- Proceed to the secure ECU student portal by clicking “Enroll” and follow the on-screen instructions.
*Please note: Some users, particularly those using Internet Explorer, have reported encountering errors on the Student Blue site. For optimal performance, SHS recommends using Google Chrome to access the Student Blue website.
Waiving Out of SHIP if You Have Existing Health Care Coverage
If you are already covered by another health insurance plan, you can easily waive out of SHIP. To do so, you will need to provide proof of your current insurance coverage through a secure online system. Once your insurance is verified, the SHIP charge will be removed from your tuition bill. Waivers must be submitted by the deadline each semester: September 10 for the Fall semester and January 31 for the Spring semester. Please allow up to two weeks for the verification process to be completed. If either deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline is deferred to the next business day.
Submit your waiver after registering for classes.
Waiver Steps:
- Collect your insurance information and visit the Student Blue of North Carolina website.
- Click “Find Your School” and select “East Carolina University”.
- Access the secure ECU student portal by clicking “Waive” and follow the prompts.
Upon successful online waiver submission, you will immediately receive a confirmation number and a confirmation email. After your insurance information is verified, you will receive a follow-up email confirming whether your waiver has been Approved or Denied, along with instructions if additional information is required.
Important Waiver Note: To have your waiver approved and the SHIP charge credited to your account, you must demonstrate creditable health insurance coverage that was active on or before September 1st (for Fall waivers) or February 1st (for Spring waivers).
*Similar to enrollment, some users using Internet Explorer may experience errors on the Student Blue waiver site. Google Chrome is recommended for a smoother experience.
Health Care for ECU Post-Doctoral Students
ECU Post-Doctoral students also have access to health insurance through Student Blue from Blue Cross Blue Shield, but through a dedicated portal tailored for Post-Docs. For plan details, benefit summaries, and other resources specific to Post-Doctoral student health care, please visit the Student Blue for ECU Post Docs welcome page.
