VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

In addition to a great disability benefit, you now have access to a powerful global emergency travel assistance program provided through Assist America, Inc. With Assist America, anytime you travel more than 100 miles from home and campus, or to another country, and experience a medical emergency, you can make a single call to the Operations Center at 1-800-872-1414 (within USA), and 1-609-986-1234 (outside USA) for help. You will not receive a printed MPA disability certificate of insurance or an Assist America ID card. You can obtain and print either or both by accessing the MPA website at: www.medplusadvantage.com and enter the VCOM ID number: 645441 . Liability Insurance Students currently enrolled as full-time students in good academic standing at VCOM and who are expected to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine are covered by VCOM's liability insurance coverage on approved curriculum such as clinical rotations and required educational activities that are a part of the VCOM curriculum and as long as they are following the policies set forth by the institution. Students should not participate in patient care without supervision and should not perform procedures without direct observation. The coverage for students extends only to clinical situations where the care is performed as a part of the VCOM clinical program and when under the supervision of faculty. Health Insurance All VCOM students are required to maintain continuous active health insurance sponsored by a domestic health insurance plan throughout their four years of enrollment. VCOM provides health insurance for its medical students and all VCOM students are automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan. There is no additional cost to the student for this health plan. In most cases, if the student chooses, he/she may hold another insurance plan, and the two policies can work together. However, it is not required to have another policy. The VCOM student health plan is a Preferred Provider Organization plan (PPO) through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In addition to the major medical benefit, the plan provides full coverage for wellness care including annual routine physicals, well childcare and immunizations. Students also have free access to therapy and psychiatry services. Once a student’s annual deductible has been met, they will also meet their out-of-pocket maximum, then their plan will pay 100% of covered medical expenses. The benefit terms of VCOM medical insurance are posted on the website annually. Coverage terms and deductible amounts are announced annually. Medical students who do not wish to participate in VCOM’s health insurance program must seek and be approved for waivers from participation. Students who wish to obtain a waiver must present proof of health insurance at registration and every six months thereafter, including immediately prior to third year clinical rotations. State-specific Medicaid is acceptable if the student is covered in the state where they reside while attending VCOM. Therefore, for first- and second-year students, Medicaid must be in the state of the VCOM campus they are attending. For third- and fourth-year students, Medicaid must be in the state of your primary residency (where you will live for the majority of your rotations). Out-of-state Medicaid insurance is not an acceptable form of coverage to meet the requirement. If medical students provide their own health insurance, the policy must meet the minimum coverage levels. These include: • Insurance company must be based and operated in the United States • Must provide in-network coverage in the state where the student resides while attending VOCM • Deductible Maximum: $2,500

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