Health Insurance & COVID-19

On this webpage we provide information given to us by Aetna and Wellfleet 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, effective through the federal mandate.
  • Aetna members will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications.

You are encouraged to use Telemedicine 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: COVID-19 FAQs

Please note that your student health plan will terminate at the end of the policy in which you enrolled (fall, 12/31; annual/spring 7/31); and plans do not automatically roll-over. If you are registering for the upcoming Fall 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 Wellfleet for Students

Please check Wellfleet's website with the latest information:

COVID-19 vaccine - https://wellfleetstudent.com/student-well-being/covid-19-vaccine/
COVID-19 resources - https://wellfleetstudent.com/covid-19/
COVID-19 FAQ for Wellfleet Student Members - https://wellfleetstudent.com/student-well-being/coronavirus-faq-for-student-health-members/

Additional Information

Please visit Rice’s COVID-19 vaccine FAQs: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/frequently-asked-vaccination-questions

Return to Rice FAQs: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/return-rice-faqs

CDC COVID-19 vaccine information: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/index.html

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.