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Postdoc Fellow Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a “postdoctoral (postdoc) fellow?"
- Postdoc fellows are individuals holding doctoral degrees who are affiliated with Rutgers University to continue their education. Postdoc fellows receive funding from individual or institutional awards and are appointed for one, two, or three year periods. Postdoc fellows have no employee/employer relationship with Rutgers University.
- Postdoc fellows are individuals holding doctoral degrees who are affiliated with Rutgers University to continue their education. Postdoc fellows receive funding from individual or institutional awards and are appointed for one, two, or three year periods. Postdoc fellows have no employee/employer relationship with Rutgers University.
- What health insurance coverage is available for post-doc fellows?
- Postdoc fellows may enroll in the UMDNJ–Rutgers Postdoc Student Health Insurance Plan for the duration of their postdoc fellow appointment. The plan, underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company and administered by Chickering Claims Administrators, Inc. is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) which offers both “in-network” and “out-of-network” benefits. Participants are not required to select a primary care physician or receive referrals prior to visiting specialists. Participants who use in-network providers pay copayments ($10 office visit, $50 emergency room visit). Out-of-network providers require members to pay deductibles and coinsurance. Detailed insurance plan information is available on the UMDNJ website.
- Postdoc fellows may enroll in the UMDNJ–Rutgers Postdoc Student Health Insurance Plan for the duration of their postdoc fellow appointment. The plan, underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company and administered by Chickering Claims Administrators, Inc. is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) which offers both “in-network” and “out-of-network” benefits. Participants are not required to select a primary care physician or receive referrals prior to visiting specialists. Participants who use in-network providers pay copayments ($10 office visit, $50 emergency room visit). Out-of-network providers require members to pay deductibles and coinsurance. Detailed insurance plan information is available on the UMDNJ website.
- Is prescription drug coverage or dental included?
- Prescription drug coverage is included. Members who obtain a prescription from an “Aetna preferred pharmacy” pay a $10 copayment for each one month supply medication (generic or brand name). Members who go out-of-network are subject to deductibles and coinsurance. The UMDNJ–Rutgers Postdoc Student Health Insurance Plan does not provide dental insurance coverage.
- Prescription drug coverage is included. Members who obtain a prescription from an “Aetna preferred pharmacy” pay a $10 copayment for each one month supply medication (generic or brand name). Members who go out-of-network are subject to deductibles and coinsurance. The UMDNJ–Rutgers Postdoc Student Health Insurance Plan does not provide dental insurance coverage.
- Where can I find a list of participating physicians?
- Go online For a listing of participating Aetna physicians.
From the “DocFind Provider Directory” you may search by location or physician name. Under “Select a Plan,” indicate “Aetna Standard Plans” then select “Open Choice PPO”. When the list of doctors appears, you can click on “provider detail” to get physician background information. Enrolled members can access Aetna Navigator, a secure member website, to obtain personalized benefits information.
- Who pays for postdoc fellow health insurance coverage?
- Funds are taken from the postdoc’s individual award or institutional award to pay for coverage. Rates are available online.
- Funds are taken from the postdoc’s individual award or institutional award to pay for coverage. Rates are available online.
- Can postdoc fellows enroll dependents in health insurance?
- Yes, eligible dependents include post-doc’s spouse or same sex civil union or domestic partner, and unmarried children under 19 if not attending school; or through 23 if full-time undergraduate; or though 25 if full-time graduate student.
- Yes, eligible dependents include post-doc’s spouse or same sex civil union or domestic partner, and unmarried children under 19 if not attending school; or through 23 if full-time undergraduate; or though 25 if full-time graduate student.
- When a postdoc fellow’s appointment ends, can health insurance be continued through COBRA?
- No, COBRA provisions do not apply since postdoc fellows are not employees of Rutgers University. When coverage ends, postdoc fellows can contact Aetna directly at 1-800-435-8742 to request conversation to a private policy called the Aetna Individual Advantage Plan.
- No, COBRA provisions do not apply since postdoc fellows are not employees of Rutgers University. When coverage ends, postdoc fellows can contact Aetna directly at 1-800-435-8742 to request conversation to a private policy called the Aetna Individual Advantage Plan.
- If a postdoc fellow accepts a full-time position at Rutgers is there a waiting period for State Health Benefits to become effective?
- Yes, the postdoc fellow would be considered a new employee subject to a 60-day benefits waiting period from the date of hire. There is an exception for ten-month academic year employees appointed from September 1 to June 30. Their coverage becomes effective September 1.
