graduate assistant health insurance
Michigan State University (MSU) provides health coverage for Graduate Assistants and their eligible dependents through Aetna. As a graduate assistant (GA), you are automatically enrolled in the health plan, at no cost to you. MSU pays the premium for your health coverage. Through the health plan, you have access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians and affiliated health care professionals in the Aetna provider network. Locate a provider through the Aetna website.
Enrollment and Waiver
Graduate Assistants automatically enrolled in the MSU GA Health Insurance Plan will receive information via email to access the enrollment and waiver portal through Academic HealthPlans (AHP).
Review the 2024-2025 Plan information including FAQs and plan summary.
Graduate Assistants can access the AHP enrollment system to add dependents to their plan or submit a waiver request to opt out of coverage.
What about my spouse/other eligible individual and dependents?
They are eligible for coverage under the GA Insurance Health plan as well. However, their enrollment is not automatic so you will need to take action to enroll them in the AHP enrollment system. MSU contributes to the premium of dependent coverage. Visit the rates page for more details.
Who Is Eligible?
- Graduate assistants
- With 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 appointments (eligible for tuition waiver); AND
- Who have worked at least 53 calendar days during their Fall or Spring appointment, or 46 calendar days during their Summer appointment
- Eligible dependents
- Spouse/Other Eligible Individual (OEI)
- Children (must be under the age of 26)
- Stepchildren (must be under the age of 26)
- For further details regarding GA appointments, review Assistantships FAQs.
Enroll your dependents here
Access the enrollment system on the AHP website. (Website coming soon!)
Resources
Aetna
- Highlight Flyer (coming soon)
- Plan Description & Benefits Summary (coming soon)
- Summary of Benefits & Coverage (SBC) (coming soon)
AHP
- Brochure (coming soon)
- Care26 - Student Portal Instructions (PDF)
Previous Plan Year (2023-2024 Academic Year)
- Blue Care Network (BCN) Benefit Highlight Sheet (PDF)
- BCN Member Guide (PDF)
- BCN Benefit Plan Document (PDF)
2024-25 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Graduate Assistant: 2024-25 Coverage Periods
| 2024-25 Coverage Period | ||
| Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | August 16, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
| Spring I | January 1, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| Spring II | February 16, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| Spring III | May 12, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
Waive Coverage: Access the waiver system on the AHP website (microsite).
Eligible Dependent: 2024-25 Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
| Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | July 29, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | August 16, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
| Spring I | December 2, 2024 | March 15, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| Spring II | December 2, 2024 | March 15, 2025 | February 16, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| Spring III | April 1, 2025 | June 30, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| First Quarter | August 4, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | August 16, 2024 | November 15, 2024 |
| Second Quarter | October 1, 2024 | November 30, 2024 | November 16, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
| Third Quarter | December 2, 2025 | March 15, 2025 | February 16, 2025 | May 11, 2025 |
| Fourth Quarter | April 1, 2025 | June 30, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
Note:
Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment period in the GA Health Insurance plan.
2023-24 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Graduate Assistant: 2023-24 Coverage Periods
| 2023-24 Coverage Period | ||
| Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | August 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
| Spring I | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| Spring II | February 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| Spring III | May 13, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Eligible Dependents: 2023-24 Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
| Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | August 4, 2023 | November 30, 2024 | August 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
| Spring I | December 1, 2023 | March 28, 2024 | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| Spring II | December 1, 2023 | March 28, 2024 | February 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| Spring III | May 9, 2024 | July 15, 2024 | May 13, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| First Quarter | August 4, 2024 | November 30, 2024 | August 16, 2023 | November 15, 2023 |
| Second Quarter | December 1, 2023 | March 28, | November 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
| Third Quarter | December 1, 2023 | March 28, 2024 | February 16, 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
| Fourth Quarter | May 9, 2024 | July 15, 2024 | May 13, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Note: Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment period.
