graduate assistant health insurance
MSU provides health coverage for graduate assistants and their eligible dependents through Blue Care Network (BCN). As a graduate assistant, you are enrolled automatically in the health plan, and MSU picks up the cost of your health coverage. Through this plan, you have access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians, and affiliated health care professionals in the BCN provider network. Locate a provider through the BCN website.
Important Notices
- Coronavirus Update: Review the Coronavirus: MSU Benefit Resources page for health care options to help you and your family.
- Teaching Assistants Update: Teaching Assistants who are teaching remotely from foreign nations due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and who are unable to travel to the United States shall have the option to enroll in the Cigna Global Health Advantage (CGHA) Insurance Plan in lieu of the health and dental insurance coverage provided under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Review the Graduate Assistants Benefits page for more information.
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Waive Coverage: You can opt-out of automatic enrollment in this health plan through the new waiver system at https://4studenthealth.relationinsurance.com/ by clicking on the "Waive SHIP" icon. Learn more about Waiver Requirements.
What about my spouse/other eligible individual and dependents?
They are eligible for coverage under this plan too; however, their enrollment is not automatic so you'll need to enroll them. 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
- Children (must be under the age of 26)
- Stepchildren (must be under the age of 26)
Enroll Your Eligible Dependents Here
Resources
BCN partners with Relation for enrollment and payment for this plan. Visit bcbsm.com/msu for more information or call 800-662-6667.
Additional resources:
- Benefit Highlight Sheet (PDF)
- BCN Member Guide (PDF)
- Benefit Plan Document (PDF)
- Waiver Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
2021-22 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Graduate Assistant Coverage Periods
| Coverage Period | ||
| Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | August 16, 2021 | February 15, 2022 |
| Spring I | January 1, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
| Spring II | February 16, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
| Spring III | May 16, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
Waive Coverage: You can opt-out of automatic enrollment in this health plan through the new waiver system at https://4studenthealth.relationinsurance.com/ by clicking on the "Waive SHIP" icon. Learn more about
Waiver Requirements.
Eligible Dependents Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
| Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | July 26, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | August 16, 2021 | February 15, 2022 |
| Spring I | December 1, 2021 | February 28, 2022 | January 1, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
| Spring II | December 1, 2021 | February 28, 2022 | February 16, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
| Spring III | April 18, 2022 | June 30, 2022 | May 16, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
| First Quarter | July 26, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | August 16, 2021 | November 15, 2021 |
| Second Quarter | October 18, 2021 | November 30, 2021 | November 16, 2021 | February 15, 2022 |
| Third Quarter | January 17, 2022 | February 28, 2022 | February 16, 2022 | May 15, 2022 |
| Fourth Quarter | April 18, 2022 | June 30, 2022 | May 16, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
Note:
Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment.
2020-21 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Graduate Assistant Coverage Periods
| Coverage Period | ||
| Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | August 16, 2020 | February 15, 2021 |
| Spring I | January 1, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
| Spring II | February 16, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
| Spring III | May 16, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
Waive Coverage: You can opt-out of automatic enrollment in this health plan through the new waiver system at https://4studenthealth.relationinsurance.com/ by clicking on the "Waive SHIP" icon. Learn more about
Waiver Requirements.
Eligible Dependents Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
| Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | July 24, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | August 16, 2020 | February 15, 2021 |
| Spring I | December 1, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | January 1, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
| Spring II | December 1, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 16, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
| Spring III | April 16, 2021 | June 30, 2021 | May 16, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
| First Quarter | July 24, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | August 16, 2020 | November 15, 2020 |
| Second Quarter | October 16, 2020 | November 30, 2020 | November 16, 2020 | February 15, 2021 |
| Third Quarter | January 16, 2021 | February 28, 2021 | February 16, 2021 | May 15, 2021 |
| Fourth Quarter | April 16, 2021 | June 30, 2021 | May 16, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
Note:Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment.
