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General Information : Off-Term Insurance

Protect yourself when not taking classes
Protect yourself when not taking classes

What is Off-Term insurance?

Off-Term insurance is an extension of the OSU Comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan for a term in which a student has either dropped below the minimum credit hour requirement (6 hours of eligible courses for an undergraduate, 5 hours of eligible courses for a graduate or professional student) or has not enrolled in classes for the term. Examples of when a student may enroll in Off-Term insurance include when a student takes a quarter off or when a student has just graduated.

What is the deadline to enroll in Off-Term insurance? 

Summer 2009:

For quarter students, the deadline to enroll in Summer Off-Term insurance is July 6, 2009.  The Summer coverage period for quarter students is 6/22/09--9/15/09.

For semester (Law) students, the deadline to enroll in Summer Off-Term insurance is June 2, 2009.  The Summer coverage period for Law students is 5/18/09--8/9/09. 

Autumn 2009:

For quarter students, the deadline to enroll in Autumn Off-Term insurance is September 15, 2009.  The Autumn coverage period for quarter students is 9/16/09--1/3/10.

For semester (Law) students, the deadline to enroll in Autumn Off-Term insurance is August 9, 2009.  The Autumn coverage period for Law students is 8/10/09--1/10/10. 

How do I enroll in Off-Term insurance?

Enrollment into Off-Term insurance is not automatic.  Students must actively enroll in and pay for Off-Term insurance by the published deadline for that term.

  • Go to www.buckeyelink.osu.edu.
  • Navigate to your "Student Center".
  • Scroll down to the "Finances" section.
  • Under the "Student Health Insurance" heading, click on "Select/Waive Coverage".
  • Select the option that reads "I choose to SELECT OFF-TERM..."
  • Choose the appropriate "Academic Term". 
  • Follow the prompts until you receive your confirmation number.  (The process is not complete until you have received your confirmation number.) 
  • Print or write down your confirmation number. 
  • Verify your Off-Term insurance enrollment by viewing your online university Account Statement. (The fee should appear on your account within 1-2 business days.)   

Why continue your insurance during an off-term?

Students should continue their coverage during an off-term, such as Summer term, to prevent lapses in coverage, which could result in claims being denied due to the pre-existing condition exclusion.

What are the criteria for Off-Term insurance?

  1. The student must have been enrolled in eligible, non-Distance Learning courses at least half-time the term prior.
  2. The student must have purchased the Comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan the term prior.
  3. The student must not have utilized Off-Term insurance earlier during that same academic year. Off-Term insurance is only extended to students one time per academic year.

Questions regarding eligibility to enroll in Off-Term insurance should be directed to the Student Health Insurance Program office.  If the student does not meet the criteria to purchase Off-Term insurance, they may contact Gallagher Koster Insurance Agency at 1-800-254-2461 for other options.