1. You are eligible for Graduate Student Employee health insurance coverage if you are a graduate student who is:
   • Holding a Teaching Assistantship (TA), Graduate Assistantship (GA), Research Assistantship (RA), or Project Assistantship (PA), and;
   • Taking six or more graduate credit hours throughout the semester, and;
   • Working .25 FTE or more, alone or in a combination of the above, throughout the contract period, and meeting all other eligibility criteria to hold the assistantship.
2. The University provides full payment of the student's coverage, on a semester-by-semester basis, if you meet these eligibility requirements. Students whose assistantship contracts begin with the first day of the semester (fall, spring, or summer) will be covered on the first day of the contract period, if all paperwork has been signed and approved.
3. Students whose assistantship contract begins after the first day of the semester—but before October 1 (for fall contracts), March 1 (for spring contracts), or June 5 (for summer contracts)—will be covered on the start date of the semester enrollment date noted in the insurance brochure. Students whose assistantship contracts begin after the above dates will not be eligible for coverage during that semester.  
4. Students who are eligible for the Graduate Student Employee health insurance coverage for summer and fall, or fall only, will be covered until the day before the first day of the next semester.  
5. Students who are eligible for the Graduate Student Employee health insurance coverage and are on contract for at least half the spring semester will have coverage in effect until the day before the first day of the fall semester.  
6. Students who lose eligibility to hold the assistantship will not be eligible to have their health insurance premiums paid by the University.  

You have the option of declining this coverage. See your graduate assistantship contract for this option.

Graduate Student Employee health insurance coverage is designed to be mutually complementary with the UNM Student Health Center. The Student Health Center (SHC) is a one-stop health service available to all currently enrolled UNM students. The SHC is located on the main campus just north of Johnson Center and across the mall from the Student Union Building. A flyer on SHC services is available at the UNM Office of Graduate Studies. Spouses with the Student Health Insurance coverage can be seen at the SHC. Dependents cannot be seen at the SHC.

Insurance coverage is under the Clarendon Insurance policy administered by GM Southwest. The 2004-2005 Accident and Sickness Insurance Program for the Students of the University of New Mexico policy brochure will be available at the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS), or on the GM Southwest website: www.gmsouthwest.com (school policies/UNM). This insurance policy brochure explains the coverage. You are covered under Plan A, the more comprehensive “preferred plan.” Your copy of the assistantship contract will be mailed to you after approval and signatures are finalized. Orientation sessions to explain coverage and insurance benefits will be held at the Student Health Center each semester. It is strongly recommended that you attend one of these sessions so that you can understand your full coverage. A schedule of these sessions is attached or is available on the SHC website (see below).

Your ID card will be mailed with your assistantship contract. You will present this ID card to the medical facility when receiving services. Please keep it with you for reference. It confirms your coverage and has several pertinent phone numbers and website addresses to refer to.

You can obtain information on SHC services by looking at their website (www.unm.edu/~shc1) or by calling the Student Health Center at 277-3136. An insurance representative is available to meet with you individually to answer questions.

You can also contact GM Southwest at 1-800-477-4415 for inquires about the plan and payment of claims. Their office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Mountain time).

1. When you sign your assistantship contract, you will have the option of declining health insurance coverage provided by the University of New Mexico. If you do not opt out of it, you will automatically be covered upon approval of your contract by the Dean of Graduate Studies. We recommend that you do not opt out, as the University pays the student’s coverage if the eligibility requirements are met.  
2. You will need to initial an authorization to release medical records which may be needed for payment of medical claims by GM Southwest.  
3. You will be mailed your copy of the assistantship contract, your ID card, and the orientation schedule. Keep the ID card in your possession.  
4. You should review the health insurance policy brochure for Plan A and the SHC orientation session schedule. You can obtain the brochure at the OGS or view it at the GM Southwest website.  
5. Plan on attending an SHC orientation session. The orientation will give you an overview of the benefits, etc., of your coverage.  
6. Enrollment for Additional, Optional Coverage: You have the option of purchasing additional coverage to Plan A.  

Please note: You cannot add optional coverage at any time during the semester. You must enroll for these options within the first three weeks of the semester or as soon as possible after you receive confirmation of your eligibility and confirmation into Plan A. If you have questions about this, please ask the SHC insurance representative or contact GM Southwest.

The following options are available to you if you would like to pay the additional premium for this coverage:

1.  Spousal coverage: If you purchase this coverage, your spouse is eligible to use the SHC for all of his/her health care on the same basis as a student. The spouse is required to pay the insured’s responsibility (co-insurance) at the time of the visit.
2. Major Medical
3. Dental

Please refer to the policy brochure (Plan A), for more specific coverage on each option. You can enroll for these options at the time you attend an orientation session. 
If you choose to purchase any of these options, you should:  

1. Fill out the enrollment card in the insurance policy brochure. Enrollment cards are also available at the SHC or OGS.  
2. Complete a check for the specified amount, payable to “Clarendon National” or the credit card authorization form. Please make sure the check is for the full amount.  
3. Mail (or drop off) the enrollment card and payment to:  

   UNM Student Health Center  
   MSC06 3870  
   1 University of New Mexico  
   Albuquerque NM 87131-0001  

4. Be sure to note on the enrollment form that your basic coverage is through the Graduate Program. The SHC will coordinate your additional coverage with GM Southwest.  

• Any charges for services at the Student Health Center will be filed by the SHC. Any charges for services not covered by Plan A will be billed to the student’s BRS account.  
• The student will be responsible for filing claims for services received outside the Student Health Center. For specifics on how to do this, refer to the insurance policy brochure (page 17). The student will be responsible for any charges not covered by Plan A.  

OGS website: www.unm.edu/grad

UNM Student health Center for questions on insurance plan and available services.
Phone: (505) 277-3136
Office hours:  Mon.-Fri., 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.  (Tuesdays open at 9:00a.m.)
Bldg. 73, Reception Area, Albuquerque, NM 87131-2076
Contacts: Elissa Gomez at elgomez@unm.edu or 277-7949
or Yvonne Mariani at ymarians@unm.edu or (505) 277-7943

GM Southwest, Inc.   for inquiries about the plan and payment of claims.
Phone: 1-800-477-4415 or 1-800-823-0804
Office Hours:  Mon.-Fri., 7:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. (Mountain time)
P.O. Box 801067, Dallas, TX 75380-1067