Graduate healthcare at the University of Illinois is spread among a variety of plans and campus units. Primary care is provided through the McKinley Health Center, which also includes a women’s health unit and some counselling facilities. The University also has a Counselling Center which provides “services that address the psychological, educational, social, and developmental needs of UIUC students.” The University charges a Health Service fee to cover the cost of these services – this is waived for Graduate Employees under the terms of the GEO contract.
Graduate students are also required to subscribe to the Student Health Insurance plan unless they obtain a waiver (because of having health insurance through another provider). Your health insurance covers (part of) the cost of hospital and specialist care – you should check the plan details, available on the Student Insurance website. Some procedures are excluded, while others are covered only to the extent required by law. You can get information in advance of treatment from the Student Insurance office: 217-333-0165.
Diabetes: Note that the Student Insurance plan claims that diabetes equipment, such as test strips, are excluded from coverage. However, due to activism by GEO members, this equipment is covered under our plan. You should contact the health insurance office (217-333-0165) to clarify your eligibility and the processes involved.
Health insurance premiums are included in the fees you are charged by the University. Graduate employees receive a subsidy towards the cost of the health insurance (something gained through GEO’s contract negotiations!). In 2007/8 the subsidy is $130. In 2008/9 it will be $140 (or 50% of the premium, whichever is higher).
Dental and vision are not covered under the main health insurance plan. However, there are separate plans which cover some of the costs of each of these. Go to the Grad College’s “Survival Guide” to learn more about your Dental Plan, and your Vision Insurance.
Prescription coverage
Our healthcare insurance does not include prescription coverage. The McKinley dispensary provides a range of common medications, some at subsidized prices, but some drugs are not available there, and others are still expensive. Since 2007 the McKinley dispensary has instituted a $5 charge for a range of drugs which had previously been provided for free.
For the past number of years the university has distributed prescription discount cards, which provide discounts on prescription medication – currently up to 15% on brand-name medications and up to 50% on generic medications. Note that the discounts are ‘up to’ these limits – discounts on individual medications can vary.
Non-university services
Illinois All Kids
Illinois offers health insurance to all children and their parents if they live in Illinois, including nonresidents. Check out the Illinois All Kids website for more information. You can also call the GEO office or the Champaign County Health Care Consumers (352-6533) with questions about health care.
I-SaveRx is a program run by the State of Illinois which can provide savings on prescription medication to residents of the state, by supplying medications through pharmacies in Canada and Europe. The program is aimed at those using medication for extended periods of time – you must fill your first 30 days’ supply locally in the United States, and must then order 3 months’ supply at a time.
Health Care Working Group
If you would like to work to improve healthcare, join the Healthcare Working Group by emailing the GEO office (geo(AT)uigeo.org). The group is currently meeting every other Friday at 1:00pm in the YMCA building. The next meeting will be on Friday, 14 March, 2008.
Graduate employees are working to improve graduate and dependent healthcare. In 2004 the Health Care Working Group completed a survey on the status of graduate healthcare at UIUC. To view the results click on the following links.
Health Care Working Group Survey Results
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C