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.
  • Waiver System Update: Beginning July 1, 2020, MSU will be changing the system to waive coverage from StuInfo to Relation, an affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

  • 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:

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.

2019-20 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods

Graduate Assistant Coverage Periods

Coverage Period
Enrollment Period Effective Date Termination Date
Fall August 16, 2019 February 15, 2020
Spring I January 1, 2020 August 15, 2020
Spring II February 16, 2020 August 15, 2020
Spring III May 16, 2020 August 15, 2020

Waive Coverage: You can opt-out of automatic enrollment in this health plan through the 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, 2019 September 30, 2019 August 16, 2019 February 15, 2020
Spring I December 1, 2019 February 28, 2020 January 1, 2020 August 15, 2020
Spring II December 1, 2019 February 28, 2020 February 16, 2020 August 15, 2020
Spring III April 16, 2020 June 30, 2020 May 16, 2020 August 15, 2020
First Quarter July 24, 2019 September 30, 2019 August 16, 2019 November 15, 2019
Second Quarter October 16, 2019 November 30, 2019 November 16, 2019 February 15, 2020
Third Quarter January 16, 2020 February 28, 2020 February 16, 2020 May 15, 2020
Fourth Quarter April 16, 2020 June 30, 2020 May 16, 2020 August 15, 2020

Note:  Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment.

 

We've requested accessible versions of website documents from vendors. If you have difficulty reading any documents, contact the HR Solutions Center at 517-353-4434 or SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu.