Health Insurance & COVID-19

On this webpage we provide information given to us by Aetna and SAS regarding health insurance as it relates to COVID-19. For standard health insurance information, please see: https://oiss.rice.edu/studenthealth.

If you have additional questions not covered in the information below, please contact your health insurance provider directly.

If You Have Aetna for Students

  • Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19.
  • Aetna is also waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for all members.
  • Beginning immediately, CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications. With the CDC encouraging people at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to stay at home as much as possible, this is a convenient option to avoid coming to the pharmacy for refills or new prescriptions.
  • Through Aetna’s Healing Better program, members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package containing CVS items to help relieve symptoms. The package will also include personal and household cleaning supplies to help keep others in the home protected from potential exposure.
  • Out of Pocket Maximum is $6000 for an individual or $12,000 for a family.

You are encouraged to use Teledoc for non-emergency care, available at any hour of the day (24/7/365).

If you need to access your insurance ID card or details of your plan, visit Aetna Student Health.

More information can be found at:

Please note that your coverage terminates on 7/31/2020; and plans do not automatically roll-over. If you are registering for Fall 2020 classes, you will be required to take action to enroll or waive the insurance plan during Open Enrollment. If you have any questions, please contact studentinsurance@rice.edu and include your Student ID. Make sure to keep yourself covered!

If You Have SAS for Students

  • Wellfleet covers treatment based on the members specific plan benefits.
  • Wellfleet covers all member costs for all necessary COVID testing at in-network facilities, including emergency room, urgent care, and office visits.
  • Wellfleet is covering COVID Testing and Treatment as follows:

Testing

  • Antigen test (on-site rapid screening and in-lab test for active COVID-19 disease)
  • PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test (in-lab test for active COVID-19 disease)
  • Antibody (serology) test (in-lab test for immune response to late active or past COVID-19 disease)

Testing is covered under the following conditions:

  • The test is medically necessary AND
  • The member meets CDC/state requirements for testing AND
  • An FDA approved test is utilized as ordered by a qualified provider ("Provider") OR
  • State regulations mandate coverage of testing without the above requirements being met.

We are covering testing for active disease as noted above, without co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance.

We are covering testing for prior disease and immunity as noted above unless regulations state otherwise.

If requesting personal reimbursement, please supply a copy of the receipt.

Treatment

Wellfleet is waiving out-of-pocket costs for all COVID-19 treatment until further notice. Well waive all co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance. Similar to a preventative visit, like your annual physical, you’ll have no out-of-pocket costs for your treatment.

To summarize, at this time, Wellfleet is covering medically necessary testing and treatment at 100% with no out of pocket costs to the student.

More information about the Coronavirus can be found at https://wellfleetstudent.com/covid-19/.

What to do if you're exposed or get sick

The CDC website provides great information about what to do if someone is exposed or has COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sic....

If you have been in prolonged close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should self-quarantine for 14 days.
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.

  • Keep track of your symptoms.
  • If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.

Stay home except to get medical care.

  • Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
  • Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
  • Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

For additional health resources, please see https://coronavirus.rice.edu/health-resources.