Insurance and Billing

Macalester College views adequate health insurance as key to supporting student capacity to be healthy and fully engaged in the educational experience. Health insurance is required when seeking health care services off-campus and when participating in intercollegiate athletics. We can’t always anticipate healthcare needs and just one serious illness or accident can create significant financial hardship, seriously derailing a student’s ability to continue their studies.

The Hamre Center considers all waiver requests. Approval is not guaranteed and is contingent upon meeting the College requirements. Waivers must be submitted each academic year—being approved in the past does not mean your current waiver will be approved as criteria may change. Review the health insurance requirements before submitting a request, even if your request was approved in previous years. All students must provide proof of comprehensive, ACA-compliant health insurance coverage. There are two options to fulfill this requirement.

All international students will be automatically enrolled in the Macalester-offered United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) health insurance plan.

1. Students can purchase Macalester-Offered United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) Health Insurance. The annual premium cost for the 2025-2026 academic year is $3,329, and it is added to the first tuition statement through Student Accounts.

2. Students with insurance that fulfills the health insurance requirements and can provide documentation that their insurance meets the requirements can waive the Macalester-offered plan. Once the online waiver is reviewed and approved, the cost is removed from the tuition statement. The portal to submit a waiver for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, and close on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Health Insurance Coverage Requirements

Please review the requirements for health insurance coverage.

If you are interested in exploring Minnesota Medicaid or MNSure, please contact the Health Insurance Specialist, Nicola Michael-Tsai at nmichael@macalester.edu.

Read more

Macalester-Offered United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) Plan Information

• Summary of Student Health Insurance Coverage (Summary of Benefits)

  SUMMARY OF BENEFITS 2024-2025

• Instructions for Obtaining Your Macalester-Offered UHCSR Health Insurance Card

  Follow these directions:

  • • Go to UHCSR sign in.

  • • If you already have a UHCSR account, please sign in. However, if you have never signed into the UHCSR portal before, click on the “Register Now” link and enter the required information. This will include details such as your legal name, date of birth, and student ID number.

  • • Once logged in, you can access ID cards, claim information, EOBs, and other plan-related information.

• Additional Information about UHCSR plan

  The plan provides coverage to students anywhere in the US.  For additional information about coverage, please connect with our insurance broker Gallagher Student Health for support with health insurance questions.  Gallagher Student Health customer service is available via phone, live chat, or email form. They can answer your questions about what is covered, who is in network, approximate costs, etc.

  If you’re on the Macalester-offered UHCSR insurance plan and have questions, visit the Health Insurance FAQ.

• Dental and Vision Benefits

  Students enrolled in the UHCSR plan are automatically provided with pediatric dental and vision benefits until their 19th birthday. For additional information, please log in to the UHCSR portal.

  All students have the option to purchase supplemental dental and vision insurance policies through our insurance broker, Gallagher. Enrollment is available year-round.

  For local dental options in the Twin Cities, please check the Off-Campus Resources page.

Billing

All students may use the Hamre Center services regardless of their insurance.
Office visits (Medical and Counseling) are provided at no charge. However, some services will incur charges. Examples include:

• Immunizations/vaccinations
• Lab tests (except pregnancy tests and urine dipstick tests, provided at no charge)
• Prescription medications/Emergency Contraception
• Physical Exams
• Procedures (ear irrigation, suture removal, etc.)
• Supplies (splints, wraps)

Here is a Hamre Center list of charges (Google Doc) for procedures, labs, medications, and equipment. Talk to your medical provider about what tests and medications are recommended so that you can make an informed decision.

What to do if you incur a charge?

• If you have insurance other than the Macalester-offered UHCSR plan:

  • • The charge will be put directly on your Macalester student account, identified only as “Health Service Charge”. You are responsible for paying the balance on your Macalester account. Check with Student Accounts Office if you have questions about payment on your account.
    • The insurance specialist will email an itemized statement in 7-10 business days from the date of service. Students can submit their itemized statements to their insurance company for reimbursement. Go to your health insurance company’s website to get specific instructions and forms.

  • • You can also pay the charge directly at the Hamre Center by check, cash, or credit card.
  • • Note: Charges applied to your Macalester Student Account will accrue interest if not paid in a timely fashion.

• If you have the Macalester-offered UHCSR insurance plan:

  • • All costs incurred at the Hamre Center are covered at 100%.

  • • No charges are applied to your student account.

  • • The Hamre Center will submit your charges to UHCSR – payment will come back directly to the Hamre Center to cover the charges.

• What if I have questions or problems about what I have been charged for?

  • Check in with our insurance specialist Nicola Michael-Tsai (she/they) either by stopping by the office or by emailing them at nmichael@macalester.edu

   

Updated January 2025 by Nicola Michael-Tsai