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Health Insurance FAQs

Spring/Summer 2021 FAQ

 What if I am graduating in the spring/summer and would like to enroll in the Fall 2021 SHIP?

Students graduating in the spring/summer who enroll in SHIP for the spring/summer 2021 term will have the option to enroll in the Fall 2021 SHIP by completing a Continuation Insurance application with Academic HealthPlans by the September 5 enrollment deadline.

General FAQs

 Who can I speak with about the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)?

To learn more about SHIP, SHIP enrollments, or to access the SHIP brochure, please visit Academic HealthPlans' customer care online resource center.

 How do I complete the annual health insurance requirement?

To meet the University health insurance requirement, new and returning students must select one of two options on the APH Insurance Dashboardeach year:

  1. Confirm the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) option by clicking the ENROLL button, or
  2. Provide proof of an existing US-based health insurance plan by clicking the WAIVE button

Note:

  • To log into the system, students will need to enter their Pepperdine campus-wide identification (CWID) number and password. CWID numbers can be found on the front of student ID cards or in the "personal info" section on WaveNet.
  • When students first log into the system, their password is their date of birth in the MMDDYYYY format (no slashes or dashes between digits).

Students who do not provide proof of US-based insurance and have an approved waiver notification* through the AHP Insurance Dashboard prior to the end of the Grace Period on September 5 in the fall or the end of the Grace Period on February 1 in the spring are automatically enrolled in SHIP to meet the University's health insurance requirement and are responsible for the charge on their student account.

*An approved waiver notification is effective for the academic year it is submitted. Students do not need to reapply for a waiver for the spring/summer terms if they have an approved waiver from the fall of the same academic year.

 Does SHIP have a Referral Requirement?

Students enrolled in SHIP are required to schedule an appointment at the Student Health Center during business hours for a referral, before visiting an outside doctor. The insurance plan will not cover any bills that do not have a Student Health Center referral. No referral is required for emergency room care or gynecology annual exams. Please refer to your current Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) brochure for other exceptions to the referral requirement.

 Can I see any doctor when enrolled in SHIP?

After you visit the Student Health Center and obtain a referral, you can then see the referred specialist of your choice. Keep in mind, however, that SHIP will pay a greater percentage of the cost with a doctor who is "in-network." Please review the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) brochure for details on in-network and out-of-network rates of coverage.

 How do I find an “in-network” doctor or a hospital for SHIP?

To find an "in-network" doctor, visit Anthem's website and click on "find a doctor." Follow the steps to locate the doctors and hospitals that are "in-network". You can also call 855.296.0864 or utilize the Sydney app on your smartphone to find an "in-network" doctor or a hospital. Be sure to confirm with the clinician that they are still "in-network" with Anthem when calling to schedule an appointment.

 How are claims paid while on SHIP?

The Student Health Center does not bill insurance companies directly. You will be able to charge your student account and a receipt with the necessary insurance codes will be given to you to submit to Anthem claims for reimbursement. If you visit an "in-network" doctor or a hospital, they will send the bills directly to the insurance company for payment. But, if you receive a bill from the doctor/hospital, that means they do not have your health insurance plan information to send the bills to the company. In this case, you can call the doctor's office to give your insurance information or mail the bill to the claims administrator at the address below:

Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company
P.O. Box 60007
Los Angeles, CA 90060

 Who do I speak to if I have a question about my SHIP claim?

Call Anthem Customer Service at 855.296.0864. Have your insurance card in hand and be ready to give the date of service you are calling about.

 Does my SHIP coverage include vision and dental?

SHIP vision and dental plans are pediatric only and expire on the insured's 19th birthday. If you are insured with SHIP and are over 19 there is no dental or vision coverage included with your plan other than services related to illness or injury.

 Can I enroll in SHIP after I graduate?

Students who purchase SHIP and graduate during the term for that policy period are eligible to enroll in the following term plan. To do this, they must complete a Continuation Insurance application to apply for coverage. Payment for this Continuation Plan is made directly to AHP through their website. Students who did not purchase SHIP for the term they graduate are not eligible for the Continuation Plan.

 I waived SHIP, but I no longer have comparable health insurance. What should I do?

You are required to maintain comparable health insurance at all times during your approved waiver period. If your private health insurance coverage is terminated during the waiver period, you are required to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or another plan that is comparable. To enroll in SHIP, you must notify the University's broker, Academic HealthPlans by completing the Qualifying Life Event application form

 I enrolled in SHIP, but I never received my ID card. What should I do?

Like most insurance carriers, Anthem is moving away from physical insurance cards. Students enrolling for the first time should receive and email welcome package from Anthem with instructions on how to access care. If you do not see this email, the quickest way to access your benefits is to utilize the Sydney Mobile App After downloading the app, begin registering it by clicking "register" at the bottom of the first screen. On the next screen hover over the member ID field and select the "student ID" option in the drop-down menu and complete the remaining fields. Once the app registration is complete you can access your member ID card, a preferred provider search (which can help you determine in-network providers in your area), and claims status. 

 What if I need to go to the Emergency Room (ER) or I am hospitalized while covered by SHIP?

If possible, go to an in-network facility. Be sure to request that all components of your care are Anthem clinicians (doctors, radiologists, anesthesiologists, etc.), otherwise your out-of-pocket cost may be very high. Be sure to have your insurance ID card with you so that billing will go directly to your carrier.

 How will I know if my online waiver submission was approved?

Students will receive an approved waiver notification if their online wavier submission is approved. This notification is sent by email to your Pepperdine email address.

 My mailing address has changed. How do I update it with SHIP?

It is very important to make sure that your address, phone number, and email address on your WaveNet account are current and accurate. If not, ID cards, explanation of benefits, and other notifications about your student health insurance plan may not get to you. If you have moved or your contact information has changed, please confirm the local address field in your WaveNet account reflects the address where you wish to receive these materials and have claims reimbursements sent. Next, please visit Academic HealthPlans' customer care online resource center to submit a request to update the appropriate information. AHP will then send the information to the insurance carrier.

 I have an approved waiver for the current academic year, but my insurance information has changed. Do I need to update my waiver?

Yes, you need to submit a request to Academic HealthPlans. Complete the form and in the "please add any additional information or questions" section, state you would like to update your waiver information. Your request will be addressed by an AHP representative who will reach out to you via secure email communication to update your insurance information.

Reminder:

It is wise to carry your insurance card with you at all times. The insurance card is proof that you have insurance and provides all the insurance information that the doctor or the hospital needs to send the bills to the company.