Updated: Summer 2008
Over the past few years, questions have arisen about the health insurance available to graduate students through the college. You can access general information about the health care plan on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences page as well as a pdf file with frequently asked questions about the plan.
Bryn Mawr College Graduate Student Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we have to carry health insurance while enrolled at Bryn Mawr? Bryn Mawr requires all employees, all resident students, all international students, and anyone else who regularly uses its facilities to carry health insurance, for their own protection as well as the College’s.
Why does the health insurance cost so much? The price of health insurance is high everywhere. However, here, the small pool of those enrolled in the program raises the premium cost, and when students choose other options - such as emergency only coverage - the pool becomes even smaller. The other primary determinant of the cost is the pay-out record of the previous few years. This means that out-of-network care (since the insurance company usually pays less to in-network providers) and unnecessary treatments also drive up the cost for everyone.
What should I do if I am sick? During the academic year (when someone is on-call at the Health Center 24 hours), you should go to or call the health center at 610-526-7360. They will probably tell you to come in and then refer you elsewhere if necessary. In an emergency the Health Center will advise you to go to the nearest emergency room. It is a good idea to find out where this emergency room is before you actually have an emergency. Emergency rooms should be used only for genuine emergencies. Emergency room care is very expensive and its use drives up the cost of premiums for everyone (see above, “Why does the health insurance cost so much?”).
What should I do if I am sick and the health center is not open? The referral requirement is waived when the health center is closed during winter and summer breaks. You may go to a doctor without a referral. But you should check online or with the doctor’s office to make sure that your doctor is in-network, or you may not be fully covered. If you are near Bryn Mawr during the summer, check the health center website at http://www.brynmawr.edu/healthcenter for physicians who can see you on a fee-for-service basis.
How do I find an in-network doctor? You can find in-network providers by calling MultiPlan at 800-672-2140 or online at www.multiplan.com.
How do I file a claim? After receiving care, you must send a claim form (within 30 days) along with any available bills to: Administrative Concepts, Inc. 997 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 215 Wayne, PA 19087-1706
Claim forms can be obtained at the Health Center or at http://www.visit-aci.com/claimform.html. Click on the link for BCS Insurance Company and a PDF of the form will appear. Any bills that come after you send the claim form should be sent to Administrative Concepts, Inc. when they arrive, along with your name and Bryn Mawr College.
How do I fill a prescription and how much does it cost? The insurance will pay up to $600.00 for prescription drugs in the policy year. Expect to pay a co-payment of $10/generic and $20/brand name drugs at participating pharmacies. If your prescription is ordered through the health center, the staff can help you get it filled at Merrick’s Pharmacy. Remember that health center staff are used to dealing with the undergraduates and may forget that a drug store in the town of Bryn Mawr may be more convenient for graduate students. Here is a list of local pharmacies. Note- this list is accurate as of May 14, 2008.
Below are the participating retail pharmacies near BRYN MAWR, PA 19010.
CVS #6902: 1218 EAST LANCASTER AVENUE ROSEMONT, PA 19010 — (610) 519-1920
PARVINS PHARMACY: 30 N BRYN MAWR AVE BRYN MAWR, PA 19010 — 610-525-6664
ROSEMONT PHARMACY: 1149 E LANCASTER AVE ROSEMONT, PA 19010 — 610-525-0927
RITE AID #11101: 701-705 LANCASTER AVE BRYN MAWR, PA 19010 — (610) 527-360
CVS: #1282: 317 WEST LANCASTER AVENUE ARDMORE, PA 19003 — (610) 658-0737
MERRICK’S PHARMACY: 31 CRICKET AVE ARDMORE, PA 19003 — (610) 642-8900
