Plan details and benefits

The information below outlines a few key highlights of VCU's student health insurance plan. The full details can be found in the full Certificate of Coverage. Your eligibility coordinator can also help answer any questions you may have.

 Costs         

First Professional Student Rates Annual coverage period
(Aug. 15, 2025 - Aug. 14, 2026)
First professional students $3,412
Spouse An additional $3,412
One child An additional $3,412
Two or more children An additional $6,824
Spouse AND two or more children An additional $10,236

 

International Student Rates Fall coverage period
(Aug. 15, 2025 - Dec. 16, 2025)
Spring/Summer coverage period
(Dec. 17, 2025 - Aug. 14, 2026)
International students (those on F- or J-visas) $1,159 $2,253
Spouse An additional $1,159 An additional $2,253
One child An additional $1,159 An additional $2,253
Two or more children An additional $2,318 An additional $4,506
Spouse AND two or more children An additional $3,477 An additional $6,759

 

Ph.D. Student Rates Fall coverage period
(Aug. 15, 2025 - Dec. 16, 2025)
Spring/Summer coverage period
(Dec. 17, 2025 - Aug. 14, 2026)
Full-time Ph.D. student  $1,159 $2,253
Spouse An additional $1,159 An additional $2,253
One child An additional $1,159 An additional $2,253
Two or more children An additional $2,318 An additional $4,506
Spouse AND two or more children An additional $3,477 An additional $6,759

Full-time Ph.D. students will receive a 70% subsidy each semester to offset the students' cost of the program. The subsidy is automatically applied and reflected on the student accounting bill. The Ph.D. rate above is the base plan cost with no subsidy applied. The subsidy does not apply to dependents. 

Provider network

A list of preferred providers can be found by the using the "Find providers" tab on the United Health Care's VCU webpage.

Plan benefits

The following table provides a brief, high level overview of the VCU student health insurance plan. Please review the Certificate of Coverage for the complete plan benefits and talk to your eligibility coordinator to address any questions.

  In-network (preferred providers) Out-of-network providers
Deductible (the amount you pay for health care services before the insurance plan starts to pay) $500 per insured person each policy year $1,000 per insured person each policy year
Out-of-pocket maximum $7,350 per insured person each policy year ($14,700 for all insured in a family each policy year) No out-of-pocket maximum
Coinsurance Plan pays 80% of covered medical expenses (student pays 20%) Plan pays 50% of usual and customary charges for covered expenses (student pays 50%)
Prescription drugs (must be filled at an in-network pharmacy)

$250 prescription drug deductible (per policy year) does not apply to Policy Deductible

$30 co-pay for Tier 1 prescription drugs
$75 co-pay for Tier 2 prescription drugs
35% coinsurance for Tier 3 prescription drugs
See description of drug tiers »

No benefits
Preventive care services (e.g., annual physicals, routine screenings, immunizations) 100% of preferred allowance No benefits
Physician's visits $25 co-pay, not subject to deductible $25 co-pay, not subject to deductible
Medical emergency $100 co-pay, not subject to deductible $100 co-pay, not subject to deductible

Inpatient treatment for mental health or substance abuse

80% allowed amount, subject to deductible 50% allowed amount, subject to deductible

Exclusions and limitations

The following list highlights a few areas that are excluded from this plan, meaning no benefits will be paid for related costs. To see the full list of exclusions, please review Section 12 of the Certificate of Coverage.

  • Dental treatment, except for as provided in the dental treatment benefit
  • Vision treatments such as routine eye examinations, eyeglasses, contact lenses
  • Hearing examinations, hearing aids or other treatment for hearing loss
  • Acupuncture
  • Cosmetic procedures

Definitions

A glossary of terms used in the health care plan can be found in Section 11: Definitions of the Certificate of Coverage.