All medical students, except those who qualify for a policy waiver during open enrollment, are enrolled in a mandatory plan per standards set forth by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
IU Human Resources
Student Insurance Specialist
studenhc@iu.edu
812-856-4650
The medical school ensures that health insurance and disability insurance are available to each medical student and that health insurance is also available to each medical student’s dependents.
If you qualify for a health insurance waiver, be sure to submit the waiver form in time for the next enrollment period.
IU School of Medicine requires health insurance because it is an accreditation requirement set forth by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the body that governs the accreditation of all Medical Doctor (MD) programs in the U.S. as well as schools in Canada and Puerto Rico. Below is information detailing the LCME requirement and the IU School of Medicine student health insurance policy.
In the United States, the accreditation status of programs leading to the MD degree is determined solely by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). In cooperation with the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), the LCME also accredits MD programs in Canada. To be accredited, programs must meet the national standards described in the document, Functions and Structure of a Medical School, found by searching that title on this page. For further information, refer to the Overview and Accreditation Procedures sections of the LCME site.
Health Services and Personal Counseling
Each school must have an effective system of personal counseling for its students that includes programs to promote the well-being of students and facilitate their adjustment to the physical and emotional demands of medical school. Medical students must have access to preventive and therapeutic health services. The health professionals who provide psychiatric/psychological counseling or other sensitive health services to medical students must have no involvement in the academic evaluation or promotion of students receiving those services. Health insurance must be available to all students and their dependents, and all students must have access to disability insurance.
For more information, see the Student Services section of LCME Accreditation Standards.
All students must obtain health insurance for inpatient and outpatient care. IU School of Medicine requires all students not covered by a parent or spouse, or a plan that meets comparable standards (outlined during open enrollment periods), to be covered by a policy secured by the school. It is mandatory in order to meet the accreditation requirement.
While most students are healthy and can likely find a plan on their own that might be cheaper than the school plan, there are still many students who do not qualify for personal plan coverage due to ongoing illnesses and conditions, so the school must provide a group policy. In order to be able to secure a group plan at a reasonable price that will cover all students, no matter what their health condition may be, the school must provide the insurance company with a stable group of both healthy and health-challenged individuals.
The accreditation requirement is in place for several factors:
The protection of your own health, safety and well being is paramount.
It is important to have quality insurance that is portable while on school approved electives around the world.
A serious ailment or injury may lead to financial disaster, especially for students who carry large financial aid debts. The school allows waivers for students covered by a parent or spouse plan or comparable plan.
There was no formal contract signed by you regarding acceptance of the mandatory student health insurance policy. It is listed in the school handbook as part of the school’s requirements. Upon admission, students are given an outline of requirements, including notification to read and understand the student handbook.
This statement regarding policy issues is found in the Academic and Professional Standards section.
Medical students are preparing for a career that demands the highest standards of honor, ethics, and professional behavior and appearance. It is expected that medical students will conduct themselves according to these standards. Any individual who enrolls in the Indiana University School of Medicine voluntarily places himself/herself under the rules and regulations of the University, the School, and affiliated hospitals, and agrees to abide by them. Therefore, students should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations affecting them.
Students are allowed to purchase their own plan during the open enrollment period as long as it meets standards set forth by IU School of Medicine. Waiving the school’s health insurance plan requires submission of documentation showing qualifying coverage under the policy of the student’s spouse or parent, or a plan that meets comparable standards.
Information regarding the insurance plan is available from Indiana University Human Resources.
All IU School of Medicine medical students are covered under a Group Disability Policy.
Group disability coverage is provided to all students by the IU School of Medicine. The policy is the Med Plus Advantage group trust policy sponsored through the American Medical Association and issued by Standard Insurance Company of Oregon policy number #644180-A.
This policy has been specifically designed to meet the specialized needs of medical students. Please note these highlights are meant to provide general information only. You should refer to the policy itself for the full policy terms. All claims will be settled on the basis of the policy itself.
To obtain a copy of the policy in its entirety or to file a claim, contact Lee D. Moore by email or phone at 317-558-1012.
As you transition to your residency program, please be aware approximately 50 residency programs across the country have Guaranteed Standard Issue disability insurance policy available. A GSI policy is an individual disability insurance policy that provides all the important policy features you should have as a physician. This includes an own occupation definition of disability that will cover you in your chosen specialty. The significant advantage of a GSI policy is that you can obtain this policy without having to answer a medical history questionnaire or complete lab work. The policy is issued without any exclusions from coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition. GSI policies are only available if you have not been turned down for disability insurance coverage in the prior five-year time period. Students as they near the end of medical school are often approached by multiple representatives selling disability insurance and that is to be expected. The problem is that many of those representatives are not aware of the GSI policies available at participating residency programs. If you apply for a non GSI policy and are turned down for coverage you are then disqualified from obtaining a GSI policy at a participating residency program. To receive a quote for a GSI policy if you are going to IU for residency or to receive a list of participating residency programs, please contact one of our disability insurance representatives. They also represent the IU residency program. Learn more on GSI policies from the White Coat Investor.
Nolan Breitbarth
nolan@ddig.net
317-431-6193
Lee Moore
lmoore8901@gmail.com
317-460-0668
IU School of Medicine does not endorse this product. This information is made available to you as a convenience.