Fellowships that include Health Insurance - Logistics Question

[tgamache]

Hi!

 

So, I was recently offered admission to a PhD program that provides a fellowship that includes a living stipend, full tuition remission, and full health and dental insurance.  However, I am 22 years old and am still on my step mother's health and dental insurance.  It doesn't make a difference to her whether I am on it or not, in terms of how her company provides the coverage.  As such, it's probably in my best interest to just stay on it (as I am eligible to remain on it for another 4 years).  My question is, is it at all possible to (for now) reject the health benefits portion of my fellowship and have other components of the fellowship adjusted accordingly?  I'm going to follow up with the program about this, but I was curious if anyone else had experienced similar circumstances.

 

Thanks a ton!

[TakeruK]

You can ask, but I doubt it will work out unless your fellowship provides money up front for you to spend on health insurance. However, many STEM PhD offers include fully covered health insurance (or some % covered) as part of the funding package so it's unlikely the school will actually consider the health insurance fee as income granted to you which you then immediately pay back. At least, that's not how my program does it, but maybe others here have another experience! My current program covers some % of the total cost and that benefit does not turn into extra funding/stipend if you have your own insurance.

 

In my opinion, it might be worth it to have dual coverage. In most cases, your school insurance will probably be your primary insurance and then you can claim the leftover with your stepmother's insurance. I'd recommend this route because 1) it might be harder to switch back to it if you ever become ineligible for coverage with your stepmother and 2) just in case something happens and your stepmother loses her coverage, you will still be okay. But if the cost of insurance is high then it's probably worth an inquiry!

[RomulusAugustulus]

I agree with TakeruK that the school will almost certainly not adjust your stipend if you choose to stay on your current insurance, they will just not have to pay for your health insurance (which I am sure is fine with them). I am not sure, however, that the school will allow you to be on their health insurance and another insurance. But certainly check with the school, if you want to go that route. 

[TakeruK]

I agree with TakeruK that the school will almost certainly not adjust your stipend if you choose to stay on your current insurance, they will just not have to pay for your health insurance (which I am sure is fine with them). I am not sure, however, that the school will allow you to be on their health insurance and another insurance. But certainly check with the school, if you want to go that route. 

 

Hmm I didn't think of the school not wanting their students to be on two insurance plans (although how could they ever know?) I know that at all of the schools I've been to, including my current one that pays a large part of my premiums, they've always noted that while I can opt out if I have coverage elsewhere, I might want to consider having both coverages! But Romulus is right--check with your school to be safe!

Edited March 3, 2014 by TakeruK

[hj2012]

Another thing to consider -- insurance companies often charge different deductibles for in-network / out-of-network doctors, so your stepmother's health insurance may not be as affordable as the one your school offers. In some cases, you may find it incredibly difficult to find a doctor that accepts your insurance in your school's town or city. Speaking from experience, this was a major pain when I was an undergraduate.

[zipykido]

Once you're on your PI's budget it doesn't hurt to decline insurance offered by the school as it will save your PI some money. But like hj2012 said before, you won't get a stipend increase and you may create more problems for yourself in terms of finding doctors and dentists.

[daykid]

Some places offer a buy out but it usually isn't much.

[tgamache]

Thanks so much guys!  This is all very helpful.   I'll see what my program says.  Either way I'm not terribly worried at all about the outcome (as in the end I've still got health insurance ).  But it'll probably be good for me to know.  I'll post about what they tell me and hopefully that'll be of some worth to others who will look at the thread.

 

Thanks again!

[tgamache]

Okay!  

 

So, I contacted the program coordinator, and was redirected to the benefits office.  I think it varies from program to program.  However, in my particular program, I'm actually not allowed to waive the health insurance included in the fellowship.  BUT, I can actually be on both the insurance from the graduate program as well as my other insurance, with the grad program insurance as my primary.  Pretty sweet deal, and I can't complain! 

[TakeruK]

Thanks for the update Sorry you didn't get what you wanted, but it sounds like you have a good deal overall!