The self-pay option allows individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria to enroll in GAIP coverage at their own cost through the end of the plan year (September 30). You may be eligible for the self-pay option if you have lost your UW coverage, if you are going on academic leave, or if you hold a self-pay appointment. In all cases, self-pay eligibility must be approved by the UW Benefits & Work/Life Office.
If you hold a UW-paid eligible appointment in the current quarter, but will not in the next quarter OR you lost coverage mid-year, you are eligible to enroll in the self-pay option through the rest of the plan year (September 30th).
To be eligible for self-pay through an appointment for which you are paid directly by an outside source, you must:
*Documentation of such appointment is required. Appointments from local employers with multiple appointments such as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center may be forwarded to Benefits & Work/Life in the form of a spreadsheet for multiple appointments. Contact your employer's graduate coordinator to ensure that your information has been forwarded to UW Benefits & Work/Life.
You may enroll in the plan during the quarter in which an eligible position was established, and continue in the program via self-pay through the rest of the plan year. The UW reports to the administrator, Welfare and Pension Administrative Service (WPAS), persons who are in new self-pay-eligible positions.
Once you have established UW-paid benefits eligibility, you can continue your benefits while on academic leave on a self-pay basis as long as you will hold a UW-paid GAIP-eligible position the first quarter immediately following your return.
Please print, complete, and submit the Petition for Self-Pay Graduate Appointee Insurance While on Academic Leave at least one month prior to the start of your leave if possible. Upon confirmation that your petition has been approved, follow the self-pay enrollment procedures, as explained below.
Appointees are responsible for paying 100% of the cost of coverage for themselves and their dependents, plus an administrative fee. The cost you pay will depend on the level of coverage you enroll in. If at any time you do not pay the monthly premium, your coverage will be terminated and you will not be eligible to re-enroll within the same plan year (October through September).
Read more about self-pay premiums.
Those enrolling in the self-pay option must enroll for at least one month of coverage. Your only opportunity to enroll in this option is within the first full month following the end of your coverage, so as to avoid any breaks in coverage. You must enroll before the last day of the first calendar month of eligibility (e.g., no later than the last week day of April for coverage effective April 1st).
To enroll, email graduateappointeeinsurance@wpas-inc.com or call 206-374-9439.
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