Columbia University Health Services

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan includes coverage for accidental death and dismemberment, underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company. Benefits are payable for the accidental death or dismemberment of the Covered Person up to a maximum of $10,000.

Exclusions and limitations may apply. For definitions of eligibility and a complete description of the benefits available for accidental death, dismemberment, loss of sight, speech, or hearing, please refer to the Master Policy, available for viewing by appointment only, through the Health Services Insurance Office in Wien Hall.

To file a claim for Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefits, please contact Aetna Student Health for the appropriate claim forms.

Coverage for acupuncture may be available under very specific circumstances. Please contact Aetna Student Health for more information.

AD/HD Testing

Testing for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is covered as follows:

• Basic Plan: Following a $100 copay, 80% of remaining negotiated or reasonable charge up to $600 maximum benefit per policy year applies;
• Comprehensive Plan: Following a $50 copay, 100% of remaining negotiated or reasonable charge to $600 maximum benefit per policy year.

AD/HD Medication Management Visits

Medication management will be covered as a physician’s office visit (see page 6) under the Basic or the Comprehensive Plan.

AD/HD Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive behavioral therapies will be covered as any other outpatient mental health visit (see previous page) under the Health Service Fee or the Comprehensive Plan.

Coverage is available through the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan for the following types of accidental dental injury and for the treatment of certain serious dental conditions:

• emergency treatment of accidental injuries to sound, natural teeth
• non-emergency treatment of accidental injury to sound, natural teeth
• extraction of impacted wisdom teeth
• treatment of dental abscesses

These benefits are underwritten by Aetna and administered by Aetna Student Health. Coverage for true emergency treatment of accidental dental injury is the same when provided by Preferred and Non-Preferred Providers.

Accidental Injury to Sound, Natural Teeth

Basic Plan

• 80% of the Actual Charge up to $10,000
• 100% of the Actual Charge thereafter
• $25 copay per visit

Comprehensive Plan

• 100% of the Actual charge
• $10 copay per visit

Extraction of the Impacted Wisdom Teeth Treatment of Dental Abscesses

Basic Plan

• 100% of the actual charge up to $150 per tooth

Comprehensive Plan

• 100% of the Actual charge

The Aetna Advantage Dental Plan provides preventative dental care following a $5 per visit copay. Annual premium is $239 per student or $869 for the Student and Family Plan. Enrollment deadlines are: Fall 9/30/08 and Spring 2/01/09.

For more information or to enroll in the Aetna Advantage Dental Plan, please visit them online. You do not need to be enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan to enroll in the Aetna Advantage Dental Plan. Coverage is available under Advantage Dental for the full year even if you graduate after the fall term.

Emergency treatment is covered for severe injury or sudden, acute medical or psychiatric illness. If you are not sure whether emergency treatment is needed, Health Services providers are available to help assess your condition and determine the most appropriate course of action. Please be mindful of the following points regarding utilization of this benefit:

• It is not necessary to obtain a referral from your Health Services provider prior to receiving emergency care.
• Aetna Student Health does require that they be contacted within one business day following a hospital or emergency room inpatient admission-- by the patient, the patient's representative, or the hospital.
• In a true emergency situation, care received at an in-network hospital and out-of-network hospital would be reimbursed at the same rate. Examples of true emergencies include severe chest pain, appendicitis, and broken bone.
• Any follow-up care that is needed through a consulting specialist, following emergency care, will require a referral from your on-campus provider. Please see the Referral Requirements section for details.

Accidental Injuries and Medical Emergencies (As covered through the Health Service Fee)

Enrolled in the Basic Level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan or Carrying Alternative Coverage

• Maximum of $ 2000 per condition

Preferred Care

• 80% of Negotiated Charges
• $25 copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 60% of Reasonable Charges
• $25 Deductible per visit

Enrolled in the Comprehensive Level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan or Carrying Alternative Coverage

• Maximum of $ 2000 per condition

Preferred Care

• 80% of Negotiated Charges
• $10 copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 60% of Reasonable Charges
• $10 Deductible per visit

Emergency Care

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per incident
• For services rendered by designated providers, after referral by Health Services clinician, coverage is 100% with no copay

Non-Preferred Care

• All emergency room care is covered as for Preferred Care

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per incident

Non-Preferred Care

• All emergency room care is covered as for Preferred Care

Benefits are available for the services specified as well as care by consulting specialists as described below.

 

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per visit
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per visit

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per visit
  

Students are encouraged to contact Counseling and Psychological Services for urgent or emergency mental health care needs. If, through consultation with an on-campus provider, inpatient treatment is deemed necessary, an appropriate referral will be made.

Coverage is provided as follows, for a maximum of 7 days per Policy Year for detoxification and 30 days per Policy Year for rehabilitation.

Inpatient Hospital Care (Maternity Care; Newborn Nursery Care; Eating Disorder Treatment; Room & Board; Other Covered Hospital Services)

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per admission

Non-Preferred Care

• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per admission
• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
  

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per admission
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per admission

Inpatient Physician’s Visits/Consult (Coverage limited to one visit per day)

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% of the Negotiated Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per visit
• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• $10 Copay per visit
• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per visit
  

Urgent chemical abuse hospitalization coverage is as follows:

Accidental Injuries and Medical Emergencies (As covered through the Health Service Fee)

Enrolled in the Basic level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan or Carrying Alternative Coverage

• Maximum of $ 2000 per condition
  

Preferred Care

• 80% of Negotiated Charges
• $25 copay per visit
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 60% of Reasonable Charges
• $25 Deductible per visit

Enrolled in the Comprehensive level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan or Carrying Alternative Coverage

• Maximum of $2000 per condition

Preferred Care

• 80% of Negotiated Charges
• $10 copay per visit
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 60% of Reasonable Charges
• $10 Deductible per visit
  

 

Emergency Care

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per incident
  

Non-Preferred Care

• All emergency room care is covered as for Preferred Care
  

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per incident
  

Non-Preferred Care

• All emergency room care is covered as for Preferred Care

Inpatient services are covered under the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan for both emergency medical and psychiatric treatment and non-emergency planned admissions. Please be mindful of the following points regarding utilization of this benefit:

• Aetna Student Health requires that they be contacted within 1 business day of an emergency inpatient hospital admission -- by the patient, the patient's representative, or the hospital.
• Aetna Student Health must be contacted for pre-certification at least 3 business days prior to a pre-planned admission. Contact should be made by the patient, patient's representative, health care provider, or hospital.
• The pre-certification process includes review of the anticipated length of stay. Pre-certification does not guarantee the payment of benefits for your inpatient admission. Each claim is subject to medical policy review in accordance with the exclusions and limitations contained in the Policy, as well as a review of eligibility, adherence to notification guidelines, and benefit coverage under the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan.
• If pre-certification for a planned admission or notification of an emergency hospitalization is not secured, your hospital bill will be subject to a Deductible of $200 per admission, in addition to any other Deductible.
  

Inpatient Hospital Care

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per admission

Non-Preferred Care

• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per admission

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per admission

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per admission

Inpatient Physician’s Visits/Consult (Coverage limited to one visit per day)

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% of the Negotiated Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per visit

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per visit

Inpatient Physician’s Visits/Consult (Coverage limited to one visit per day)

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% of the Negotiated Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per visit

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per visit

Urgent chemical abuse hospitalization coverage is as follows:

Accidental Injuries and Medical Emergencies (As covered through the Health Service Fee)

Enrolled in the Basic Level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan or Carrying Alternative Coverage

• Maximum of $ 2000 per condition

Preferred Care

• 80% of Negotiated Charges
• $25 copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 60% of Reasonable Charges
• $25 Deductible per visit

Enrolled in the Comprehensive Level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan or Carrying Alternative Coverage

• Maximum of $2000 per condition

Preferred Care

• 80% of Negotiated Charges
• $10 copay per visit

Non-Preferred Care

• 60% of Reasonable Charges
• $10 Deductible per visit

Emergency Care

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per incident

Non-Preferred Care

• All emergency room care is covered as for Preferred Care

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per incident

Non-Preferred Care

• All emergency room care is covered as for Preferred Care

In the event that an enrollee in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan (student or dependent) becomes injured or ill and adequate medical facilities are not available locally, Assist America will use whatever mode of transport, equipment and personnel necessary to evacuate the Covered Person (and companion if necessary) to the nearest facility capable of providing required care. Once the Covered Person's condition has been addressed, Assist America will arrange for transportation home or to their academic program.

In the event of death of a participant, Assist America will render every necessary type of assistance regarding the return of mortal remains. In such an event, contact should be made as soon as possible with Assist America. Medical Repatriation and Return of Mortal Remains services are available both while the Covered Person is traveling, as well as from the campus location.

 

 

Health Services’ aim is to provide the Columbia community with access to convenient options for obtaining dental services covered by the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan as well as other necessary services at moderate cost.

Dental coverage is available through the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan only for accidental dental injury and for the treatment of certain serious dental conditions.

For those enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, Morningside Dental Associates (MDA), a program operated by the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, offers specially discounted rates for a select group of services. These services are not underwritten by Aetna, are not administered by Aetna Student Health, and are not affiliated with Health Services at Columbia University.

Care is provided by licensed dentists pursuing post-graduate fellowship training under the supervision of faculty members of the School of Dental and Oral Surgery.

For participants in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, the following services are available with only a copay, which is required for each visit, as indicated below:

• one routine examination per year
• X-rays as needed, and with routine exam
• one dental cleaning (prophylaxis) per year
• evaluation of emergency dental conditions, including relief of pain
  
  

Emergency services are provided by appointment during regular MDA office hours. Coverage does not include final treatment or restorations.

Morningside Dental Associates

Basic Plan

• $20 copay per visit
  
  

Comprehensive Plan

• $10 copay per visit

Those enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan may also obtain the following dental services from MDA at the specially discounted rates specified below. Full payment is required for these services at the time they are rendered:

• restorations (fillings, composites, crowns)
• endodontics
• periodontics
• oral surgery
• orthodontics
  

Morningside Dental Associates Discount Plan for Above Specified Dental Services

Basic Plan

• Patient pays 90% of normal Morningside Dental Associates fees

Comprehensive Plan

• Patient pays 75% of normal Morningside Dental Associates fees
  

Morningside Dental Associates primary location is 1244 Amsterdam Avenue at 121st Street.

In special circumstances, students may be referred to the Morningside Dental Associates location at 622 West l68th Street, 8th Floor.

To learn more about MDA, their rates, and services available, please contact them directly at 212 961 1266.

Additional Options

The Aetna Advantage Dental Plan provides preventative dental care following a $5 per visit copay. Annual premium is $239 per student or $869 for the Student and Family Plan. Enrollment deadlines are: Fall 9/30/08 and Spring 2/01/09.

For more information or to enroll in the Aetna Advantage Dental Plan, please visit them online. You do not need to be enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan to enroll in the Aetna Advantage Dental Plan. Coverage is available under Advantage Dental for the full year even if you graduate after the fall term.

Assessments for concerns about chemical abuse and/or dependency are available on campus at Counseling and Psychological Services. The Health Service Fee covers these services.

The Health Service Fee also includes coverage for outpatient chemical abuse treatment. Counseling and Psychological Services providers can help students determine the most appropriate form of treatment for their needs, and if necessary, connect them with off-campus providers familiar with the issues faced by university students. Students must obtain a referral for off-campus services. Benefits are provided as follows.

Health Service Fee Off-Campus Services

• 100% of Reasonable or Negotiated Charges coverage up to a maximum 60 visits per year
• Up to 20 of these visits can be used for family counseling of dependents
• Up to 5 family counseling sessions will be covered even if the Treatment of the Covered Person has not begun

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan (at the Basic or Comprehensive Level) does not offer any additional coverage for students for Outpatient Chemical Abuse Treatment.

Mental health services, including a limited number of psychotherapy visits, are available on campus through Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). These services are provided at no additional charge for all students who have paid the Health Service Fee.

Coverage for off-campus mental health services is offered through the Health Service Fee and the Student Medical Insurance Plan offers additional coverage.

A referral must be obtained through a CPS provider prior to receiving off-campus treatment by any specialist providers or institutional services. Services received off-campus prior to an evaluation at CPS will not be eligible for coverage.

These services are covered in the same manner as Physician’s Office Visits, with the following exception:

• For the Basic level of the Plan, coverage for physical therapy expenses is limited to a maximum of $250 per condition. This limitation does not apply to post-surgical therapy or accidental injuries. In these cases, benefits are available up to the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan maximum.
• For the Comprehensive level of the Plan, benefits are available up to the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan maximum.

Benefits are available for the services specified as well as care by consulting specialists as described below.

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $25 Copay per visit
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per visit
  

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per visit
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per visit
  

For allergy care, coverage of injections and serums is provided up to a maximum of $500 per condition.

Benefits are available for the following types of pre-natal and maternity care services:

• Physician’s Office Visits
• X-ray and Lab Services
• Emergency Care
• Surgical Services
• Inpatient Hospitalization
• Prescription Coverage (except pre-natal vitamins)

These services are covered in the same manner as described in the corresponding sections throughout this site. Please be mindful of the following points regarding utilization of this benefit:

• For inpatient hospitalization, pre-certification at least 3 days before the services are rendered is required, except in true emergencies.
• See the Coverage For Newborn or Newly Adopted Children section for information about coverage for newborn children.
• See the Coverage for Dependents section for information about enrolling children for further coverage under the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan.

The prescription coverage included in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan is designed to meet the basic needs of most college students. Your Aetna I.D. card functions as confirmation of your coverage through the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan. No separate prescription card is needed. You may contact Aetna Pharmacy Management for assistance in determining your remaining available prescription benefit at any time.

The co-pay for prescription medication will depend on whether your prescribed medication is a generic or brand name drug and, for brand name drugs, whether the prescribed medication is included on Aetna’s Preferred Drug List. The Preferred Drug List includes selected Brand Name medications for which no lower-cost alternative is available. The copay is determined according to a three-tier classification of prescription medications, described below:

• $40 for Tier Three (covered Brand Name medications not on the Preferred Drug List) Example: Paxil (Brand Name Drug; generic equivalent “paroxetine” is available)
• $25 for Tier Two (covered Brand Name medications included on the Preferred Drug List – no lower cost alternative is available) Example: Paxil CR (Brand Name drug; no generic equivalent is available)
• $10 for Tier One (covered generic medications) Example: paroxetine (generic equivalent of Paxil)
  
  You may find Aetna’s Brand Name Preferred Drug List by visiting Aetna Student Health. For information about the copay applicable to a specific medication, you may call Aetna Student Health Customer Service.

Prior authorization is required for the following medications:

• growth hormones
• drugs used for the treatment of malaria

The following is a list of some medications not covered under the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan. For a complete list of excluded medications or drugs available with prior authorization, please contact Aetna Pharmacy Management.

• allergy sera
• drugs whose sole purpose is to promote or stimulate hair growth
• appetite suppressants
• smoking deterrents
• immunization agents and vaccines
• Non-self-injectables (medication administered by injection that is given by a medical professional. For example: Self-injectable: insulin injections a patient administers himself or herself, Non-self-injectable: flu vaccine.)

The Columbia Medical Insurance Plan does not currently cover mail-order prescriptions or those ordered over the Internet, for two main reasons:

1. Many students change their address multiple times. This can make it difficult to deliver prescriptions in a safe and secure manner.
2. Most mail-order prescription services provide medications in bulk. The majority of students utilize prescription medicines temporarily and/or are in the process of finding the correct dosage with the assistance of their health care provider. For this reason, ordering medications in large quantity has not been shown to be of benefit to most students.

The least expensive approach to obtaining prescriptions is to fill them, when possible, as generics at Preferred Pharmacies. Aetna maintains a wide network of Preferred Pharmacies, where students will need to pay only a copay for each prescription, until they reach the Prescription Drug Policy Year maximum.

A listing of Preferred Pharmacy locations can be obtained through Aetna Pharmacy Management or Aetna Student Health. Once on the site, click on "DocFind®" and then "Find a Pharmacy." You will then enter your zip code and indicate that you are a member of an "Open Choice" PPO Plan.

You should discuss with your health care provider whether use of a generic prescription or lower-priced equivalent is feasible at the time the prescription is written.

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan also allows you to fill prescriptions at Non-Preferred Pharmacies. However, you will be required to pay in full at the time of service for all prescriptions dispensed and submit a claim form to Aetna Pharmacy Management. Claims are reimbursed at the rates described below. Reimbursement claim forms are available through Aetna Student Health or the Health Services Insurance Office in Wien Hall.

All contraceptive devices and medications, except those available over the counter, are covered under the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan.

Prescription Medications (See text above for medications excluded from coverage)

Basic Plan

Preferred Pharmacy

Prescription benefits up to $1000 per plan year

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 for Tier One (Covered Generic medication)
• $25 for Tier Two (Covered Brand Name medications on Preferred Drug List)
• $40 for Tier Three (Covered Brand Name medications NOT on the on Preferred Drug List)

Non-Preferred Pharmacy

Prescription benefits up to $1000 per plan year

• 70% of Reasonable Charges
• $10 for Tier One (Covered Generic medication)
• $25 for Tier Two (Covered Brand Name medications on Preferred Drug List)
• $40 for Tier Three (Covered Brand Name medications NOT on the on Preferred Drug List)

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Pharmacy

Prescription benefits up to $5000 per plan year

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 for Tier One (Covered Generic medication)
• $25 for Tier Two (Covered Brand Name medications on Preferred Drug List)
• $40 for Tier Three (Covered Brand Name medications NOT on the on Preferred Drug List)

Non-Preferred Pharmacy

For all services by Non-Preferred Pharmacies, payment must be made in full to the pharmacy at time of service; claim of reimbursement of prescription benefit should then be submitted to Aetna Student Health.

• 70% of Reasonable Charges
• $10 for Tier One (Covered Generic medication)
• $25 for Tier Two (Covered Brand Name medications on Preferred Drug List)
• $40 for Tier Three (Covered Brand Name medications NOT on the on Preferred Drug List)

Surgeons are included in the Aetna network of providers. Many services are now performed in an outpatient setting, in stand-alone clinics or providers' offices. Please be mindful of the following points regarding utilization of this benefit:

• A referral is needed for non-emergency surgical care
• Pre-certification by Aetna Student Health is required for any inpatient hospital stay associated with surgical services. Please see the Inpatient Hospital Care section for more information.

Surgical Care (Surgeon’s fees; Anesthetist Expense; Out-Patient Day Surgery Facility Expense)

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $50 Copay if surgical is less than $250
• $125 Copay if surgical cost is $250-$999
• $200 Copay if surgical cost is $1000 or more
  

Non-Preferred Care 

• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $50 Copay if surgical is less than $250
• $125 Copay if surgical cost is $250-$999
• $200 Copay if surgical cost is $1000 or more
  

Comprehensive Plan

         Preferred Care 

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $50 Copay
  

Non-Preferred Care 

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $50 Deductible per visit

Second Surgical Consult

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge up to a maximum of up to $150 per consult
• $25 Copay
  

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to a maximum of up to $150 per consult 100%
• $25 Deductible
  

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care 

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay
  

Non-Preferred Care 

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• $10 Deductible
  

One of the most significant benefits available through the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan is the Travel Assistance Services offered through Assist America and underwritten by Unum Provident Life Insurance Company of America. The program is offered at no additional charge in both the Basic and Comprehensive Levels of the Plan. These benefits are designed to protect a person covered by the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan (both students and dependents) when they are over 100 miles from their permanent address and a medical or other travel-related emergency arises. These benefits apply throughout the United States and around the world. 

Assist America Operations Centers have worldwide assistance capabilities and are known throughout the world as a premier Emergency Assistance Services provider. The Assist America Operations Center can be reached 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Services included in the coverage are:

• access to a global network of over 600,000 pre-qualified doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies
• medical consultation, evaluation, and referral
• prescription assistance
• foreign hospital admission guarantee
• medical evacuation
• travel information and assistance for visa and passport requirements, travel advisories, legal concerns, interpreter needs, and lost luggage
• in the case of death of the Covered Person, return of mortal remains, available both when traveling as well as from the campus location
  

Assist America pays for all of the benefits and services it provides. All services must be arranged for and provided by Assist America to be covered. To access any travel benefits, the Covered Person or a representative must call and inform Assist America of all intended travel outside the United States prior to incurring any expenses. Any third party expenses incurred are the responsibility of the Covered Person or his or her family. The Assist America program meets and exceeds the requirements of USIA for International Students & Scholars. 

An Assist America ID card will be supplied to you once you enroll in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan. Please remember to carry your Assist America card with you.

Vision One® Discount Program

Vision services and discounts are available through a discount program, Vision One®, which includes local providers as well as vendors throughout the United States. This program is not underwritten by Aetna. A listing of participating providers is available through the "DocFind®" feature at Aetna Student Health.

The Vision One® providers closest to the Morningside Campus are:

Columbia Opticians, Inc.
1246 Amsterdam (at 121st Street)
212 316 2020

The Spec Shop
2868 Broadway (between 111th and 112th Streets)
212 865 9825

Benefits are available for the services specified as well as care by consulting specialists as described below.

Basic Plan

Preferred Care

• 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000
• 100% Charge thereafter
• $25 Copay per visit
• For services rendered by designated providers, after referral by Health Services clinician, coverage is 100% with no copay

Non-Preferred Care

• 50% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $25 Deductible per visit

Comprehensive Plan

Preferred Care

• 100% of the Negotiated Charge
• $10 Copay per visit
• For services rendered by designated providers, after referral by Health Services clinician, coverage is 100% with no copay

Non-Preferred Care

• 70% of Reasonable Charges up to $10,000
• 100% Reasonable Charges thereafter
• $10 Deductible per visit