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Waiver Resources

Avoid Common Waiver Errors

Below are some common issues with waivers that may require you to upload a letter from your insurance company to prove your coverage is active and meets Cornell's requirements. Errors in your waiver will delay the processing of your waiver and will result in your enrollment in the Student Health Plan if the errors are not resolved within 30 days of your waiver submission.

  • Be proactive.  Submit your waiver early so that you can submit any requested documentation before the deadline.
  • Log in to your Gallagher account to check your waiver status.  All Gallagher communications can be accessed in the "My Messages" section once you are logged in.
  • Double-check your information.  Data entry errors are common for these fields:
    • Insurance ID- enter only the member ID
    • Type of Plan- enter the correct plan type (HMO, PPO, POS, etc.)
    • Subscriber Name- check the spelling
    • Subscriber ID - enter only the member ID
    • Subscriber Date of Birth- check the date of birth is correct
  • If your insurance changed from your last waiver submission, do not start with the information from the previously submitted waiver.
  • If your health insurance is through a carrier that does not participate with Gallagher's EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system, you will need to upload a verification of coverage letter from your insurance company and a summary of covered benefits to your waiver. 
    • Log in to your insurance company's website to see if this is available online.   If it is not available online, you will have to call the number on the back of your insurance card.  The letter must be dated within 60 days of your waiver submission.
  • Upload images of the front and back of your insurance card when you submit your waiver.

 Waiver Field Definitions

FieldDefinition
Name of person completing the waiver applicationThe  name of individual completing the waiver form.
Alternate email addressAn email address other than your Cornell netID email address.  Communications regarding your waiver status will be sent to this address in addition to your Cornell netID email address when this is filled in.
Insurance companyThe name of your insurance company.  Examples:  Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, United Healthcare.
U.S. Based Insurance CompanyA U.S. based insurance company is a company licensed to to business in the United States.  Policy's purchased through a broker in a country other than the United States are not considered U.S. based insurance companies.
CountryA country other than the United States where the insurance was purchased.
Insurance IDID number on located on the front of the insurance card.  This may also be called ID or Member ID.
Type of PlanThe type of insurance network associated with your policy.  Examples:  HMO, PPO, EPO.  This website has some helpful definitions for these abbreviations.  HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, & HDHP: What's the Difference - Aetna | Types of Health Insurance Plans
Insurance Company AddressThe claims address for your insurance company.  This is located on the back of your insurance card.
Insurance Company Phone NumberThe phone number for your insurance company.  This is located on the back of your insurance card.
Are you the Subscriber?The subscriber is the person that is the primary policy holder.  If your health insurance is through a parent or a spouse, the parent or spouse would be the subscriber (primary policy holder).
Subscriber First NameFirst name of the primary policy holder.
Subscriber Last NameLast name of the primary policy holder.
Subscriber IDID number on located on the front of the insurance card.  This may also be called ID or Member ID.
Subscriber Date of BirthDate of birth of the primary policy holder.
Subscriber GenderGender of the primary policy holder.
Relationship to StudentIndicates the relationship between the subscriber (primary policy holder) and the student.  Examples:  parent, spouse
Amount DeductibleThe deductible is the amount you total amount you will pay before your insurance company will pay for claims.
Group ID # Group ID # is the number that identifies who provides the insurance.  It is a number associated with the company (employer) that provides the insurance.

 Where to Find Important Info on Your Card/Plan

CompanyInstance Card/Plan Resource Information
Blue Cross and Blue Shieldhttps://www.bcbs.com/articles/five-things-look-your-bcbs-id-card
United Healthcarehttps://www.uhc.com/member-resources/your-member-id-card
Cignahttps://www.cigna.com/assets/docs/health-care-professionals/id-card-brochure.pdf
Fidelis Carehttps://www.fideliscare.org/Portals/0/Providers/ProviderManuals/Appendices/FidelisCare-ProviderManual-Appendix9and13-SampleMemberIDCards.pdf
The Empire Plan NYSHIPhttps://www.uhcprovider.com/en/admin-guides/administrative-guides-manuals-2022/empire-supp-2022/id-cards-empire-plan-supp.html
Emblem Healthhttps://www.emblemhealth.com/providers/resources/provider-articles/New-ID-Numbers-and-Cards-for-GHI-PPO-City-of-NY-Members-Coming-in-July
Tri Carehttps://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility/IDCards/ShowingYourID
UMRhttps://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/2023/shared-services-members-access-network.html
MVPhttps://www.mvphealthcare.com/-/media/project/mvp/healthcare/wp-content/get-to-know-your-member-id-card-english-commercial.pdf
Capital District Physician's Health Planhttps://blog.cdphp.com/how-to/understanding-health-insurance-id-card/
Meritain Healthhttps://www.meritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Meritain_Member_User-Guide_1022.pdf
Health Firsthttps://hfproviders.org/documents/0851-22-HF-Member-ID-Cards-at-a-Glance_FINAL.pdf
Tuftshttps://tuftshealthplan.com/documents/members/handbooks/direct-member-handbook-2024
UPMChttps://www.upmchealthplan.com/docs/providers/2021_ProviderManual_I2.pdf
Humanahttps://docushare-web.apps.external.pioneer.humana.com/Marketing/docushare-app?file=2316834
Medicahttps://www.medicamember.com/-/media/documents/group/member-tips-fliers/id-card-tip-sheet-com14827.pdf?la=en&hash=327E268D19201AA9E63742B8621271E9

GEHA (Government Employees Health Association)

 

https://www.geha.com/enroll/sample-id-card
ALLways Health Partnershttps://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/admin-newsletter/january-2024

Horizon NJ

 

https://www.horizonblue.com/members/education-center/your-guide-getting-care/my-member-id-card
Connecticarehttps://www.connecticare.com/providers/resources/news/reminder-check-your-patient-member-id-card