Important Update Regarding the Health Insurance Coverage
For Libyan Students in the United States

February 25, 2015


Dear Students and Institutional Partners in the U.S.,

CBIE has learned that the Quarter 1 Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) Budget is expected to be transferred from Libya in approximately 2 weeks, along with some remaining MLA “adjustment” budgets from 2014. These are positive indicators indeed. Once we receive official confirmation that the transfer has left the Libyan Central Bank, we will update you accordingly, and upon receipt of the funds, CBIE will move quickly to process MLAs to all eligible students.

Unfortunately, as indicated in our previous messages, CBIE has not yet received the required insurance budget transfers from Libya, and therefore the Libyan sponsored students’ current health insurance coverage with United Health Care (UHC) will be ending on February 28, 2015.

The following Frequently Asked Questions and attached resources have been developed to assist students in arranging for their own alternative health insurance coverage until the time that funds are received and coverage resumes as a benefit offered through the Libyan Scholarship Program.

We deeply regret the hardship this disruption in insurance coverage will cause to students. We assure you that CBIE will continue to coordinate and collaborate with the Libyan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Libyan Embassy in D.C., and other key government stakeholders to resolve the insurance funding delays, and we will keep students and institutions apprised as more information becomes available.
  
Sincerely,
Libyan-North American Scholarship Program

  
  



Frequently Asked Questions*:



1) Do I have the option to continue with UHC by paying the monthly premium myself?

2) Am I required to purchase alternative health insurance coverage, or can I choose not to do so?

3) What happens if I have an emergency and I don’t have health insurance? Will a hospital treat me?

4) Are there any exceptions to the insurance termination (for example, due to pregnancy)?

5) If I obtain medical care on February 28, will those charges be covered by UHC?

6) What health insurance options do my children who were born in the U.S. have?

7) My school requires me to have insurance coverage, otherwise I cannot continue in my classes this term. What should I do?

8) Do the plans mentioned above offer options for dependents, as well as coverage for dental and eye care?

9) If I purchase a plan, whether through the university or through one of the above-mentioned alternative options, will the cost be reimbursed to me at a later date, once funds are received from Libya? Alternatively, if I purchase the university plan, can the university add the cost to my tuition bill, to be paid by CBIE once tuition and insurance funds are received from Libya?

10) Will I be required to submit an Insurance Termination Letter when purchasing alternative coverage?


1) Do I have the option to continue with UHC by paying the monthly premium myself?

No. The current plan with UHC is a “group plan” and does not allow for individual students to pay their premiums directly to CBIE.

2) Am I required to purchase alternative health insurance coverage, or can I choose not to do so?

Our understanding is there are no specific insurance requirements for F1 Visa holders set forth by the US Department of State; however, there are Health Insurance Requirements for students on J1 Visas (click here). As well, although F1 visa holders may not be required by the US Department of State to carry health insurance, most institutions in the U.S. do have insurance requirements for all students on-campus.

3) What happens if I have an emergency and I don’t have health insurance? Will a hospital treat me?

Hospitals are required by law to treat emergencies without regard to health insurance. This means that you will not be turned away; however, if you receive treatment, the hospital will bill you directly in the event that you do not have insurance coverage.

4) Are there any exceptions to the insurance termination (for example, due to pregnancy)?

No, unfortunately there are no exceptions. The current UHC plan is a “group plan” that will be terminated for all students simultaneously.

5) If I obtain medical care on February 28, will those charges be covered by UHC?

Yes, UHC’s current plan will remain in effect for any charges incurred through 11:59pm in the student’s time zone on February 28. Any charges billed for March 1, 2015 forward will not be covered.

6) What health insurance options do my children who were born in the U.S. have?

Although students on F1 and J1 visas are not eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, children who are US citizens because of birth can qualify for Medicaid/Child Health Plus. As an example, attached is Ohio’s overview of how Medicaid applies to children who are U.S. citizens, but their parents are not. In addition to Medicaid/Child Health Plus, health insurance coverage can also be purchased on the Federal or State Exchange for US-born children. It’s important to understand that Medicaid and Individual Exchange policies do require extensive paperwork and do not provide the 100% coverage currently provided by the Libyan Student Plan.

7) My school requires me to have insurance coverage, otherwise I cannot continue in my classes this term. What should I do?

Option 1: Consider purchasing the university health insurance plan. If the enrolment deadline has passed, check to see if there is any flexibility in extending the deadline due to the extenuating circumstances impacting your scholarship benefits. Funding delays are posted on CBIE’s website.

If you cannot purchase health insurance coverage through your school, either because your school does not offer an insurance plan, or the enrolment deadline cannot be extended, or the school’s plan does not offer coverage for dependents (spouse, children), then you may wish to pursue one of the options below. Prior to purchasing a plan, however, students are encouraged to seek guidance from their school to ensure the plan they are considering purchasing will in fact meet the school’s insurance requirements.

Option 2: Students who have pre-existing conditions and/or who are seeking a more standardized/routine maintenance coverage plan (as opposed to emergency/catastrophic coverage only) should apply through the appropriate “State or Federal Exchange” for Individual Coverage.

Students must apply immediately upon cancellation of the Libyan Student Plan, as this cancellation will make the students eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for a limited amount of time.

Note: Policies purchased through the State or Federal Exchange require extensive paperwork and do not provide the 100% coverage currently provided by the Libyan Student Plan.

Option 3: Catastrophic/travel insurance for students with no pre-existing conditions can be purchased through various providers. These policies do not cover pre-existing conditions and are intended to protect you from very high medical costs after you reach the deductible. As a reminder, pre-existing conditions refer to medical treatment you have received in the past for a diagnosed condition, such as pregnancy, cancer, injuries sustained in a car accident, etc., none of which would be covered through this type of insurance coverage plan. There are 2 options, the Patriot Exchange, and the Student Health Advantage. Below are brochures listing covered expenses and exclusions:

8) Do the plans mentioned above offer options for dependents, as well as coverage for dental and eye care?

Some university plans may offer dependent coverage options while others may not. Through the State and Federal Exchange, there are a variety of plans available, including options for both individuals and families. Students must carefully review the details of each coverage plan, including the additional cost to add dependents, as well as additional costs for dental and eye care coverage, in order to select the plan that best meets your family’s needs.

9) If I purchase a plan, whether through the university or through one of the above-mentioned alternative options, will the cost be reimbursed to me at a later date, once funds are received from Libya? Alternatively, if I purchase the university plan, can the university add the cost to my tuition bill, to be paid by CBIE once tuition and insurance funds are received from Libya?

At this time, CBIE is unable to guarantee reimbursement. Students are encouraged to save receipts and itemized invoices for any insurance plans and/or medical expenses they incur, and upon receipt of insurance funds from Libya, CBIE will provide further instructions to students and institutions regarding possible reimbursement of these expenses.

10) Will I be required to submit an Insurance Termination Letter when purchasing alternative coverage?

When the policy terminates at the end of February, UHC will provide CBIE with a formal termination letter, which CBIE will forward to all students via email.

*Disclaimer: CBIE has developed this FAQ as a general guide for students; however, it is the students’ responsibility to verify all requirements of your school/state, as well as the specific details of each insurance policy, prior to finalizing any arrangements. While every effort was made to bring you up-to-date information, information is subject to change at any given time.