The enrollment period for Spring/Summer 2025 coverage is December 9, 2024 – February 14, 2025.

Spring/Summer 2025 coverage effective dates:  January 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025

The Voluntary Student Health Insurance Plan is with the University System of Georgia Board of Regents student health program administered by United Healthcare Student Resources. It is an accident and sickness insurance policy that provides coverage worldwide. It includes diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, or medical conditions, along with preventive care benefits. Benefits include physician, hospital, surgical, pharmacy, behavioral health services (i.e., mental health / substance abuse), as well as legally-mandated benefits.

Coverage under this plan cannot be ended early.

UGA students who are not required to have health insurance through the UGA Mandatory Student Health Insurance Plan may voluntarily purchase the Voluntary plan if they are enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours per term and are enrolled in a degree-seeking program.

Graduate and professional students who are not required to have health insurance through the UGA Mandatory Student Health Insurance Plan may voluntarily purchase the Voluntary plan if they are enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credit hours per term and are enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Please review the policy brochure on the United Healthcare website for complete details about eligibility.

Individuals with Optional Practical Training (OPT) approval, Postdoctoral Research Fellows, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Adjuncts, Intensive English Language and Visiting Scholars are eligible to purchase the Voluntary Student Health Insurance Plan.  These individuals should contact UGA Human Resources at gshiplan@uga.edu or 706-542-2222 to request an enrollment form.

Be sure to read your policy brochure to find information about benefits and the use of the University Health Center and any referral requirements to other doctors. 

Visit the United Healthcare site to view the plan brochure, prescription drug list, or search for participating providers.

If a student has not paid the UGA Health Center fee, the student should be aware that the plan does not cover services/charges normally covered by the UGA Health Center fee. A non-fees paid student must still utilize the Health Center for care per the plan requirements (see the brochure regarding referral requirements and exceptions),  but the student will be responsible for paying the charges normally covered by the Health Center fee.

Referrals required for care outside of Health Center

Students must utilize the University Health Center for care or to obtain a referral when needed. 

The student must use the services of the Health Center first where outpatient treatment will be administered or referral issued.  Expenses incurred for medical treatment rendered outside of the Student Health Center for which no prior approval or referral is obtained are excluded from coverage.  A referral issued by the Student Health Center must accompany the claim when submitted.  Only one referral is required for each injury or sickness per policy year.

Referral Exceptions

A Student Health Center referral for outside care is not necessary only under any of the following conditions:

1. Medical Emergency – The student must return to the Student Health Center for necessary follow-up care.
2. When the Student Health Center is closed
3. When service is rendered at another facility during break or vacation periods
4. Medical care received when the student is more than 30 miles from campus
5. Medical care obtained when a student is no longer able to use the Student Health Center due to a change in student status
6. Maternity, obstetrical, and gynecological care
7. Dermatological services – Dermatological services means services ordinarily and customarily rendered by a physician specializing in the practice of dermatology.
8. Mental illness treatment and substance use disorder treatment

Dependents, post-doctoral research fellows, post-doctoral research fellow adjuncts, and visiting scholars are not eligible to use the Student Health Center and are therefore exempt from the above limitations and requirements.

 Visit the United Healthcare enrollment site: 

1. Find the policy you're interested in (be sure to choose between "domestic" or "international") and select "Explore Policy"

2. Select "Get Started" in the bottom right corner of the page

Premiums are paid directly to United Healthcare Student Resources at the time of enrollment. Students may also purchase health insurance coverage for their legal spouse and eligible dependent children under age 26 for an additional premium.

Annual Coverage 2024-2025
(8/1/24 - 7/31/25)

Fall 2024
(8/1/24- 12/31/24)

Insurance ID cards are available electronically approximately 48-72 business hours after a student enrolls. Students can access their insurance ID card electronically 24 hours a day through their United Healthcare My Account. Register or sign in to your United Healthcare MyAccount at www.uhcsr.com/myaccount. United Healthcare will not mail insurance cards unless a student requests one to be mailed through his/her My Account.

 Questions about student health insurance can be directed to gshiplan@uga.edu or 706-542-2222.

Questions concerning plan benefits or claims can be directed to United Healthcare Student Resources customer service at 866-403-8267.