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GA Coverage

There are many benefits to being a Graduate Assistant at WVU, including the WVU Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan! Graduate Assistants (GAs) are offered the WVU Aetna student health insurance plan at no or reduced cost. Learn more about the plan and how to use it below, including links to important resources.

About the WVU Aetna Plan

Enrolling In or Opting Out of the WVU Aetna Plan

GAs who are expected to work at least 20 hours per week are provided with the WVU Aetna student health insurance at no cost, while GAs who are expected to work 10 hours per week have half of the WVU Aetna premium covered. If you meet minimum eligibility requirements and do not opt out of the WVU Aetna student health insurance plan by completing the online student health insurance waiver, you will be automatically enrolled in the WVU Aetna plan.

  • If you are a GA and would like to enroll in the health insurance plan offered as part of your position: No action is required if you have not previously opted out of the Aetna student health insurance for the current semester or academic year. You will be automatically enrolled in the Aetna plan. If you are assessed the student insurance fee, the fee will be credited back to your student account near the start of the term. If you waived the Aetna plan but now want to be enrolled in the plan, please email SIO@mail.wvu.edu. However, see the information below about waiving or accepting the Aetna plan.
  • In order to receive the GA credit for the student health insurance on your student account: If you are enrolled in the WVU Aetna plan and have been assessed the insurance fee, you must have a GA position for the term in WVU's employee system and be processed for payroll, be registered for the minimum number of credit hours required to be a GA, and have a GA tuition waiver in order for the GA student health insurance fee to be credited back to your student account. Once a valid GA tuition waiver has been processed, you will receive a credit for the student health insurance fee, if it has already been assessed to your student account.
  • If you are a GA for the fall term but will not be a GA for the spring term and would like to keep the Aetna coverage: If you will be eligible for enrollment in the Aetna plan for the Spring semester, and did not waive the Aetna coverage for the Fall or Spring semesters, then no action is required on your part. You will be automatically enrolled in the Aetna plan and the student insurance fee will be assessed to your student account. To be eligible to enroll in the Aetna plan, you must be registered for at least 6 credit hours as a domestic student or 1 credit hour as an international student.
  • If you are a GA for the fall term but will not be a GA for the spring term and would like to opt out of the Aetna coverage for the spring term: If you have other health insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements at WVU, you may opt out of the Aetna student health insurance plan by completing the Spring semester waiver by the published deadline. If you do not complete the waiver by the deadline and are eligible, you will be automatically enrolled in the Aetna plan for the spring semester and assessed the student insurance fee. Please note that if you opted out of the Aetna coverage by completing a waiver for the fall semester, there is no need to complete the spring waiver, as you have opted out of the plan for the entire academic year.
  • If you are graduating in December or are not returning to WVU in the spring term and are enrolled in the Aetna plan in the fall term: Your Aetna coverage will terminate effective December 31.
  • Deciding between accepting or waiving the student health insurance provided to GAs: If you are covered by another insurance plan that meets the waiver criteria described on the Waiver Information page, you are encouraged to submit the insurance waiver application by the posted deadline. Although being covered by the WVU plan while you are a GA may not cost you anything, you will be responsible for managing coordination of benefits between the two plans you carry if you have claims (which can be complicated), and paying for the WVU plan provided for you as part of your GA position represents a significant and potentially unnecessary cost for the University.
  • For additional information about Graduate Assistantships, please visit the Office of Graduate Education and Life.

Note: If you are a graduate assistant and are offered coverage through WVU Student Insurance at no cost to you and are found eligible for insurance by ACA guidelines, you will only be able to enroll in one coverage through the University.

Using the WVU Aetna Plan

  • How to Use Your Plan – Helpful information to know prior to utilizing your plan, including finding an in-network provider.

  • Accessing your ID card – You can quickly and easily access your card here to download or print, or learn how to get a digital ID card via the Aetna Health app.

  • Prescriptions – Find a pharmacy, ways to save, a Pharmacy Drug Guide, and other helpful information for the Prescription Drug Program that is included with the Aetna student health insurance plan.

  • Student Health Well-being – Additional resources focused on holistic well-being such as emotional health, mental health, and financial health.

  • Telemedicine – Learn how to access convenient virtual appointments.

Additional Information

  • Dental and Vision Coverage – Aetna Student Health now offers dental and vision coverage as optional, stand-alone plans. Even if you waived the WVU-sponsored Aetna student health insurance, these plans are still available for you to purchase. Dental and vision premium(s) are not included in the "Student Health Insurance" fee assessed to your Student Account or covered by graduate assistantships, and must be paid directly to Aetna. Premiums and coverage start date are dependent on plan(s) and date elected. Visit the Aetna website for more information, including how to enroll. You may also want to consider reduced-cost dental services at the WVU Dental Clinic.

    Individual Aetna Dental Coverage Individual Aetna Vision Coverage
  • Dependent Coverage – The WVU Aetna student health insurance plan is not currently offered to dependents of eligible students. Students seeking health insurance coverage for their dependents may want to explore options available to them at Healthcare.gov.