Healthcare Information

HUSHP and the Implications of a November Graduation Date

Students should be aware of the implications of their graduation dates on the end of their Student Health coverage. This gets somewhat complicated in the event of a November degree. After HUSHP coverage ends, students are NOT able to extend their coverage through COBRA, which does not apply to students. Graduating students will need to find alternative health insurance either through an employer or independently.

For a May degree, coverage runs through the end of July of that year.

For a March degree, coverage runs through the end of the preceding January (note that March degree dissertations are due in January, so students are still covered beyond their filing dates).

Students who pursue a November degree should be advised that the current policy may leave them uninsured for a period of weeks before submitting their dissertations, even though they are still active students during that time.

Students pursuing a November degree who have not yet submitted the dissertation as of August 1 in the graduation year will be automatically enrolled for health coverage (unless the student waives it, subject to GSAS approval). However, on the day that the student submits the dissertation, health coverage will retroactively be canceled as of August 1. Retroactive cancelation means that the student has to pay out of pocket for all health services used after July 31.

The exceptions to the above are as follows:

• If the student files the dissertation ON the filing deadline (but not before). In 2013, this was September 12. Students filing ON this date will not have their health insurance retroactively canceled. Note that this choice poses its own risks as GSAS advises submitting the dissertation several days early to insure against possible filing errors that might get the dissertation rejected.
• If the student misses the filing deadline, or if the dissertation is filed and somehow rejected on the deadline, the student will not receive the November degree. In this case, the student will be responsible for full tuition and health fees for the fall semester and will become a candidate for a March degree.

Also note, regarding tuition for a November degree: Depending on the exact filing date, students may be required to pay tuition and register for the semester. In this case, they will be partially or fully reimbursed after filing. In 2013 the registration deadline for the fall semester was August 28. If the student files on or after this date, he or she will have to pay full tuition and fees for the semester or risk losing library and other privileges.

If the student subsequently submits his or her dissertation before the September filing deadline, s/he will be owed a refund for full tuition and health fees for the semester. Students filing on the deadline will be owed only the refund for tuition but not for health insurance as they will remain enrolled for the full semester.

NB The reimbursement process can take a while as students will have to wait for their October term bill to reflect a credit, after which time they can write to their GSAS financial aid officer to request a refund. 

Information on these policies can be found here:

http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/current_students/november_degree_timeline.php

 What can students do about the health care implications of a November degree

If pursuing a November degree, students should be wary of using their HUSHP health coverage after July 31 of the graduation year (unless they are certain they will file on the deadline, and understand the implications of the tuition and fees that they will owe).

If students do not anticipate being able to obtain alternative health insurance through an employer, spouse, or parent, they may be interested in enrolling in personal health insurance through Massachusetts Health Connector.

To enroll in one of the state plans out of cycle, students will need to supply documentation of a qualifying event. In this case, they will be proving loss of coverage. HUSHP Member Services will supply documentation to this effect even if you are still enrolled as a student and still technically have insurance. To request a coverage letter, please contact them in June or July. Please allow 3-4 business days for all requests.

Currently, the Massachusetts Health Connector has been experiencing heavy backlogs in requests for new enrollment and advises processing times of several months. Upon applying you will receive temporary coverage that can be used until your application is processed.