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Mallory Drewes knows she can get a medical insurance refund - she's just not sure how.
At the beginning of every semester, students are automatically charged $243 and enrolled in the Student Medical Insurance Plan. What many might not know is that fee is refundable if they already have insurance.
"I know that there's a refund, but I don't really know the procedures," said Drewes, an undecided freshman from St. Peter.
In order to get the refund, students must prove their insurance company has a policy of at least a $250,000 lifetime maximum benefit and a $1,000 or less annual deductible. Students who meet this requirement can then bring in their insurance card, a copy of their deductible information and fill out an application of refund form, which is available on the school's Web site and in the insurance office at the health center.
Jim Hunsaker, the university's insurance administrator, said the insurance office tries to keep the students and the parents posted about the refunds.
"We process about 3,000 refunds a semester, so there are 3,000 students out there who are aware of it," Hunsaker said.
Miranda Hoffman, a freshman from Belleville studying marketing, became aware of the refund when she checked all the fees listed in her Bursar statement.
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"Now that I'm paying for school, I'm more aware of the refundable money," Hoffman said.
Students are made aware of the refund in a couple different ways. For new students, the refund is mentioned in their Student Orientation Advisement Registration packet. The refund due date is also mentioned in the first billing statement, which is mailed home.
Erik Skjerseth, a senior from Iowa studying aviation, has known about the insurance refund since he began attending SIUC.
"My parents told me about the refund when they attended SOAR day my freshman year," Skjerseth said.
Students have until Jan. 25 to fill out the refund form and turn it in at the Insurance Office at the Student Health Center.
The Student Medical Insurance Plan provides health insurance coverage that not only provides on-campus care, but also covers services outside the campus such as surgery and hospitalization.
Students who receive the refund can still use the different amenities and programs the health center offers.
"(I thought) once you get your refund that was it because you are not paying for the insurance anymore," Drewes said.
In addition to the Student Medical Insurance Plan fee, every student pays a nonrefundable $171 fee through the Bursar's office. This allows them to see a physician at the university, attend events and lectures and get counseling and guidance about wellness - including nutrition, stress management and sexual health.
Hunsaker said he understands dealing with insurance can be difficult and confusing, but he said his office is there to address questions or concerns.
"We are a service department just like every other department here on campus, so we try to help the students, not stand in their way of getting things done," Hunsaker said.
Maria Capati can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or maria.capati@siude.com.
