Student Health

Breadcrumb Navigation

Health Insurance

The 2011-12 Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) is underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina. Student insurance plans with BCBS are identified as StudentBlue. You may click here to access the website which contains a summary of benefits and a plan brochure.

Benefit Changes for the 2012-13 Plan Year
Good news! Preventive care services will be available to SMIP subscribers at 100% coverage. Please refer to the following link provided by BCBSNC for specific services covered: http://www.bcbsnc.com/assets/campaigns/public/preventive/pdf/hcr_preventive_services_grp-7-25.pdf.

In addition, we are pleased to announce the following benefit enhancements for the new plan year beginning August 1, 2012:

  • STI screening will be covered at 100% (there will be a limit on the number of annual screenings).
  • Generic oral contraceptives will be covered at 100%.
  • There will be no limit on the number of visits with Dietitians.
  • The immunization benefit limit (currently $500) will be removed (immunizations covered by the plan are subject to CDC and AAP guidelines).

With the addition of these enhanced benefits, we are excited to announce that there will be a modest premium increase of only 3% for the new plan year. Please see below for the new rates.
 
Early Waiver Period
For returning students who have waived the current student insurance plan, we will have an early waiver period beginning in May for the upcoming plan year. All returning students who waived the student insurance plan in the current year will receive an email message with an opportunity to complete an early waiver online before the summer open enrollment period. Students who waive the student insurance plan during this early waiver period will not see an insurance charge on their Bursar account. Given the added benefits detailed above, we feel the student insurance plan is highly competitive with other plans on the market. Prior to submitting a waiver, we encourage you to consider enrolling in the student plan for the 2012-13 plan year.

Please contact Anna Kenyon, Duke SMIP Manager, Duke University Student Health Center, with questions or concerns. Anna can be reached at 919-684-1481 or via email at anna.kenyon@duke.edu.
 
2012-13 SMIP Cost of Coverage
The cost of coverage is based upon your age and will be posted to your student account by the Bursar's Office. If your age as of August 1, 2012 is:

  • Under 24, the annual charge is $1,755.
  • 24 to 34, the annual charge is $2,115.
  • 35 to 44, the annual charge is $2,965.
  • 45 to 54, the annual charge is $4,350.
  • 55+, the annual charge is $6,030.
  • Spouse, the annual charge is $3,480. (in addition to the student's annual charge)
  • Child(ren), the annual charge is $1,980. (in addition to the student's annual charge)
  • Family, (all dependents) the annual charge is $5,290. (in addition to the student's annual charge)

A portion of the cost of the SMIP is retained by Duke University to pay for administrative costs incurred by the University and for reserve funds. Any portion of the cost of the plan retained by Duke University is encumbered solely for the purpose of funding plan expenses or the equitable and non-discriminatory benefit of plan participants.

Undergraduate students receiving need-based financial aid who do not have comparable coverage (and apply for and are denied a health insurance waiver) will receive an increase in their Duke grant after Fall add/drop to cover the cost of the annual insurance.


2011-12 SMIP Cost of Coverage
The cost of coverage is based upon your age and will be posted to your student account by the Bursar's Office. If your age as of August 1, 2011 is:

  • Under 24, the annual charge is $1,705.
  • 24 to 34, the annual charge is $2,055.
  • 35 to 44, the annual charge is $2,880.
  • 45 to 54, the annual charge is $4,225.
  • 55+, the annual charge is $5,855.
  • Spouse, the annual charge is $3,380. (in addition to the student's annual charge)
  • Child(ren), the annual charge is $1,920. (in addition to the student's annual charge)
  • Family, (all dependents) the annual charge is $5,135. (in addition to the student's annual charge)

Spring 2012 Rates
The cost of coverage for the period from January 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 is based upon your age and will be posted to your student account by the Bursar's Office. If your age as of August 1, 2011 is:

  • Under 24, the period charge is $1,005.
  • 24 to 34, the period charge is $1,210.
  • 35 to 44, the period charge is $1,690.
  • 45 to 54, the period charge is $2,475.
  • 55+, the period charge is $3,425.
  • Spouse, the period charge is $1,970. (in addition to the student's period charge)
  • Child(ren), the period charge is $1,120. (in addition to the student's period charge)
  • Family, (all dependents) the period charge is $2,995. (in addition to the student's period charge)

 
A portion of the cost of the SMIP is retained by Duke University to pay for administrative costs incurred by the University and for reserve funds. Any portion of the cost of the plan retained by Duke University is encumbered solely for the purpose of funding plan expenses or the equitable and non-discriminatory benefit of plan participants.
Undergraduate students receiving need-based financial aid who do not have comparable coverage (and apply for and are denied a health insurance waiver) will receive an increase in their Duke grant after Fall add/drop to cover the cost of the annual insurance.

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage
Please click here for details on the BlueCard Worldwide program, which provides benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation.

Dental Insurance
Although dental services are not available through Duke Student Health Center, all students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan are eligible for discounted dental visits through BASIX (see website for participating practices).

DentalBlue dental insurance is available for purchase here.
 

2011-12 SMIP Cost of Coverage

The cost of coverage is based upon your age and will be posted to your student account by the Bursar's Office. If your age as of August 1, 2011 is:

  • Under 24, the annual charge is $1,705.
  • 24 to 34, the annual charge is $2,055.
  • 35 to 44, the annual charge is $2,880.
  • 45 to 54, the annual charge is $4,225.
  • 55+, the annual charge is $5,855.
  • Spouse, the annual charge is $3,380. (in addition to the student's annual charge)
  • Child(ren), the annual charge is $1,920. (in addition to the student's annual charge)
  • Family, (all dependents) the annual charge is $5,135. (in addition to the student's annual charge)

A portion of the cost of the SMIP is retained by Duke University to pay for administrative costs incurred by the University and for reserve funds. Any portion of the cost of the plan retained by Duke University is encumbered solely for the purpose of funding plan expenses or the equitable and non-discriminatory benefit of plan participants.

Undergraduate students receiving need-based financial aid who do not have comparable coverage (and apply for and are denied a health insurance waiver) will receive an increase in their Duke grant after Fall add/drop to cover the cost of the annual insurance.

Information for Graduating Students

As you move on from Duke, we would like you to be aware of your health insurance coverage options. Some of you will be moving on to jobs that offer health insurance coverage. For those who are not, you have several options:

1. Recent reforms in the Affordable Care Act allow young adults to be covered under a parent's health insurance plan until the age of 26. The Department of Heath and Human Services (HHS) has posted a Facebook page to guide you through this option This link offers information for both students and parents. Talk with your parents to see if this is a good option for you.
2. Graduating seniors who have been covered by the Duke SMIP for the previous 6 months or longer are also eligible to extend their SMIP coverage for up to 6 months after graduation. Students must purchase coverage under the new Policy provided by BCBS of North Carolina. Coverage under the new Policy is subject to the rates and benefits selected by the school for the 2011/12 Policy year.  Enroll in continuation of coverage provided by BCBS of North Carolina.   



You may download a flyer created by HHS to explain insurance options and provide links to additional information.

If you have any questions, please contact Anna Kenyon at 919-684-1481 or call the Student Health Center at 919-681-9355.

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage

The BlueCard Worldwide program provides benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation.

For additional information, please call 919-681-9355.

Open Enrollment (2011-2012 Insurance Plan)

The open enrollment period runs from June 15, 2011 to September 16, 2011 for the 2011-12 academic year. The Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) is underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina. A complete list of benefits and services is available here.

Please Note: Students will receive an email from Anna Kenyon, Student Health Insurance Manager, requiring them to either waive or enroll in the SMIP. You may access the website to complete enrollment or to submit a waiver request. The website also contains a summary of benefits, a plan rate sheet, and a plan brochure.

For additional information, please call 919-681-9355.

Waiver Criteria

Students may waive the Duke SMIP if the following criteria are met:



  • The Claims administrator is based in the United States and has a US telephone number and address for submission of claims

  • The plan provides both emergency and non-emergency health care and mental health benefits in the Durham, NC area
  • Out of state Medicaid and state Children’s Health Insurance Plans do not cover non-emergency care in Durham

  • The plan has participating hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, and mental health providers in the Durham, NC area to include Duke Medicine
  • The plan provides inpatient and outpatient mental health care (with at least 30 visits per year) and chemical dependency benefits are comparable to the coverage provided by the Duke SMIP
  • The plan provides coverage for prescription medication
  • The lifetime benefit is at least $500,000 or more

If you are a student holding an F1 or J1 visa, enrollment in the SMIP is mandatory. These students cannot waive the SMIP.

Do you have an insurance exception?
Have you enrolled at Duke outside of the normal enrollment period? Have you been forced off of prior insurance coverage? Have you entered the armed forces? If you have experienced any of these qualifying events, you may enroll/waive outside of the standard enrollment/waiver period. Please complete this form and send to Anna Kenyon, Student Health Insurance Manager, at anna.kenyon@duke.edu.

For additional information, please call 919-681-9355.

Connect with our Department:

The Tweet Spot