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GRA Healthcare Plan

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT (GRA) HEALTHCARE PLAN 

The University System of Georgia (USG) offers a healthcare option for Graduate Research Assistants only. This healthcare option is the Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Healthcare Plan administered through Anthem. J-1 visa holders are not eligible to enroll in this plan. This option is in addition to the Student Health Insurance coverage offered through UGA.  GRAs have the option of enrolling in the GRA healthcare plan instead of the Student Health Insurance Plan.     Under the GRA Healthcare Plan, you have the option of covering (1) yourself, or (2) yourself and any eligible child dependents. Spousal coverage is not available under this plan; therefore, family coverage under this plan includes only you and your dependent child or children. Upon enrollment, participants will receive one ID card with both medical and pharmacy plan coverage verification information. The GRA Healthcare Plan is administered by Anthem. Enrollment in this plan is handled through OneUSG Connect - Benefits.  If you have questions about your eligibility or enrollment in this plan, please contact the OneUSG-Benefits Call Center at 1-844-587-4236. GRA Plan vs. Student Plan Comparison Chart

GRA HEATHCARE PLAN PREMIUM INFORMATION  

Tobacco Use Surcharge:  Graduate Research Assistants and enrolled dependents age 18 or older must certify their tobacco use status if enrolling in the GRA Healthcare Plan.  Certification is required each enrollment.  A $150 tobacco-user surcharge (per student and eligible dependent(s) age 18+) will be added to the monthly premium for tobacco users.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Graduate Research Assistants enrolled in the GRA Health Plan pay premiums through monthly payroll deductions.
• Enrollment under this plan is on a biannual basis. Students must renew coverage each January and August. Elections made in January apply to the coverage period of January – July.  Elections made in August apply to the coverage period of August – December.  Coverage will continue through each coverage period unless the Graduate Research Assistant becomes ineligible for the coverage (i.e., graduates or moves into another non-graduate research assistant position) or experiences a qualifying life event.
• If a Graduate Research Assistant enrolls in the GRA Health Plan and the student is also mandated to have coverage under the Mandatory Student Plan, the student must submit a waiver request to opt out of the mandatory student health insurance plan. Please see the Student Health Insurance webpages for further information.
• The GRA Healthcare Plan does not provide repatriation and medical evacuation coverage.  International students enrolling in this plan must purchase a standalone repatriation and medical evacuation plan in order to meet the minimum requirements to opt out of the Mandatory Student Health Insurance Plan.