What’s the difference between the basic plan and the extended plan? It’s a question parents often ask.
When people refer to the “basic plan,” they’re talking about the MIT Student Medical Plan, which is included with tuition and covers most services at MIT Medical.
The “extended plan” is the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan, which is not covered by tuition. Here are the top five things you need to know about the Extended Plan:
- It picks up right where the basic plan leaves off. With the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan, you avoid potential gaps in coverage, because when your student needs care that’s not covered by the basic plan, the Extended Plan steps in. It covers:
- Additional services at MIT Medical, including an annual eye exam, contact lens fittings, Gardasil vaccines, prescription drugs, allergy serum, medical equipment (such as crutches), and OB/prenatal care.
- Care outside of MIT Medical. Not only does it cover care outside of MIT Medical, students with the Extended Plan also have access to MIT Medical’s team of experienced referral specialists and claims experts. That means that when your student needs anything from physical therapy to MRIs to surgery—our Referral Office can help him or her find the right specialists and make appointments, and Claims and Member Services can answer any questions about coverage.
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It covers your student anywhere in the world. As a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO (preferred provider organization), the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan covers your student whether they’re in another country or back home on summer break. Both in-network and out-of-network care is covered by this plan; however, your out-of-pocket cost will always be lower when you receive care from an in-network provider or facility.
Search for and find in-network providers with a few clicks of the mouse. Learn more.
- It’s the plan of choice for MIT students. More than 70 percent of MIT students enroll in the Extended Plan. Parents tell us that they appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing their students have the coverage they need at school. Students who waive Extended Plan coverage sometimes discover that their other insurance doesn’t actually provide the coverage they need in Massachusetts. Occasionally, students have had to leave school to receive necessary medical services at home.
- If you want extended plan coverage, you don’t have to do anything. Students registered for 27 units or more per term are automatically enrolled in, and billed for, the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan, so if you want the plan, you don’t need to do anything.
- To waive this coverage, your student must fill out the online waiver form. If you are eligible to waive this coverage and wish to waive, your student must complete the online waiver form by the deadline (August 31 for the academic year; January 31 for the spring term). Note that a parent cannot complete the form for a student, because it can be accessed only with an MIT certificate. To find out if your student is eligible to waive, take our online quiz.
