Aetna Student Health Plan

What Is the Aetna Student Health Plan?

The Aetna Student Health Plan (ASHP) is a comprehensive health insurance product designed specifically for college and university students in the United States. It provides coverage for routine medical care, emergency services, mental health counseling, prescription drugs, and many preventive services essential for young adults living away from home for the first time.

Key Benefits

• Nationwide Provider Network: Access to over 50,000 doctors, hospitals, and urgentcare centers across the country.
• Telehealth Services: Free virtual visits with boardcertified clinicians 24/7.
• Mental Health Coverage: Up to 20 therapy sessions per year, plus crisis counseling.
• Prescription Coverage: Tiered copays for generics and brandname drugs.
• Preventive Care: Immunizations, annual physicals, and healthscreening tests at no cost.

Eligibility and Enrollment

Eligibility is typically limited to fulltime undergraduate and graduate students aged 1830 who are enrolled at participating institutions. Some schools also allow parttime students or alumni to enroll during a limited enrollment window.

Enrollment usually occurs during the universitys Open Enrollment period in the spring or summer. Students can sign up online through the schools healthservices portal or directly on the Aetna website using a unique school code.

How Costs Are Structured

The plan is offered on a perstudent basis, with most universities negotiating a discounted group rate. Typical cost components include:

• Monthly Premium: $25$40, often deducted from tuition or billed directly to the student.
• Deductible: $0$500 for individual coverage; families may have a separate deductible.
• Copay / Coinsurance: Small copays for office visits (e.g., $15$20) and a 20% coinsurance for specialist care after the deductible is met.

Many campuses include the premium in student fees, so the cost appears on the semester bill.

Using the Plan: A StepbyStep Guide

1. Find a Provider: Use the Aetna online directory or mobile app to locate an innetwork doctor, urgentcare center, or hospital.
2. Schedule an Appointment: Call the providers office and mention you have the Aetna Student Health Plan. For urgentcare or sameday visits, walkin is accepted.
3. Present Your ID: Show your student ID and insurance card (digital or printed). If you have a dependent, carry their card as well.
4. Pay Copay (if required): Most primarycare visits are covered with a small copay at the time of service.
5. Followup & Referrals: If your provider recommends a specialist, theyll submit a referral to Aetna. The specialist visit will be covered according to plan terms.

Telehealth & Mobile App

Aetnas dedicated student health app lets you:

• Start a video visit within minutes.
• Upload prescriptions for pharmacy pickup.
• Track claims and view Explanation of Benefits (EOBs).
• Locate the nearest innetwork urgentcare or emergency department.

The service is available 24/7, making it ideal for latenight fevers or mentalhealth crises.

Mental Health Support

College life can be stressful, and ASHP recognizes that by offering robust mentalhealth options:

• Up to 20 individual therapy sessions per year (innetwork providers only).
• Group counseling for anxiety, depression, or substance use.
• 24hour crisis hotline staffed by licensed counselors.
• Access to online therapy platforms such as BetterHelp (covered at up to 80% of the cost).

Prescription Drug Coverage

The plan uses a threetier formulary:

• Tier 1 Generics: $5 copay.
• Tier 2 Preferred Brand: $15 copay.
• Tier 3 Nonpreferred Brand: $30 copay.

Students can also use the Aetna pharmacy network for mailorder prescriptions, which often reduces costs further.

Emergency Care

In a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. The plan covers emergency services at innetwork hospitals without requiring a deductible first, subject to a reasonable copay (typically $150). After stabilization, you may be transferred to an innetwork facility for continued care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep the plan after I graduate?

Yes, many students transition to an Aetna Individual or Family plan after graduation. Contact your universitys healthservices office for conversion deadlines.

What if Im studying abroad?

ASHP includes limited coverage for urgent medical needs while abroad, but youll need additional travel insurance for comprehensive protection.

Do I need a primary care provider (PCP)?

While a PCP isnt required, choosing one can simplify referrals and lower outofpocket costs for specialist visits.

How do I find out if a provider is innetwork?

Enter the providers name or ZIP code in the Aetna Provider Search. The app also displays a map of nearby innetwork locations.

Conclusion

The Aetna Student Health Plan offers a balanced mix of affordability, comprehensive coverage, and convenient services tailored for the unique needs of college students. By providing easy access to primary care, mentalhealth resources, telehealth, and prescription benefits, it helps students focus on their studies while staying healthy. For anyone enrolling in higher education, reviewing the plans details early and understanding how to use it can make a significant difference in both financial and personal wellbeing.