Columbia University Health Services

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan covers a full year of care: September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010.

The coverage year for 2009-2010 is divided into two terms:

Fall Term September 1, 2009 – January 18, 2010

Spring Term January 19, 2010 – August 31, 2010

*Note that insurance coverage can only be established upon registration for the academic term associated with the period of coverage.

For students enrolling in the Fall Term and continuing as a registered student in the Spring Term, coverage becomes effective at 12:00 a.m. on September 1, 2009, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2010, provided they register for the Spring term.

Students completing their programs in December in anticipation of a February graduation will have coverage through 11:59 p.m. on January 18, 2010.

For all students enrolling in their first term of classes for the 2010 Spring Term, coverage becomes effective at 12:00 a.m. on January 19, 2010, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2010.

Students who have not actively enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, coverage is still retroactive to September 1, 2009 for new Fall students. However, all expenses for prescriptions filled before September 30, 2009, will need to be submitted to Aetna Pharmacy Management for reimbursement. For full details about prescription coverage during this period, please contact Aetna Student Health Claims Administrators, Inc.

Enrollment for dates other than those above is allowed only upon the loss of other health insurance coverage. The Health Services Insurance Office must be contacted within 30 days of the loss of other coverage.

For incoming students arriving on campus earlier than September 1, 2009, Aetna Student Health offers an additional insurance plan that is available for either a one-month (8/1/09-8/31/09) or two-month (7/1/09-8/31/09) period. Enrollment requests should be received by Aetna Student Health before you arrive on campus. We recommend this plan to all incoming students who expect to participate in orientation programs and to students who will arrive early and have no other coverage during this period. For additional information and instructions, go to Early Arrival Plan . A student who elects this coverage must also enroll in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan for the fall coverage period.

An optional Continuation Plan is available for students whose registration at Columbia is ending. To be eligible to participate in the Continuation Plan, students must have been enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan in their final term as a registered student. 

Aetna Student Health must receive applications and payment for the full premium within 45 days after the expiration of coverage under the student plan. Detailed information about the Continuation Plan and applications for enrollment are available at Aetna Student Health.

The maximum length of coverage under the Continuation Plan is twelve months.