Columbia University Health Services

Columbia University requires that all full time and residential students have acceptable medical insurance. To ensure that students have adequate insurance coverage all registered full time students are automatically enrolled in the Basic Level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance plan offered by the University. On your first student bill you will see that you have been charged for the Basic Level as well as the Health Service fee.

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan is specifically designed to meet the needs of international students including visa requirements. There are other issues that you should consider about your medical insurance selection:

1. If you come from a country with a national health plan, you may not be covered for care in the United States. Most healthcare providers will not recognize coverage from another country and may ask that you pay in full at the time of treatment.
2. Student medical insurance is more affordable than other health plans available in the United States. The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan protects you from financial hardship if you were to experience a catastrophic illness or injury that requires costly or prolonged medical care.
3. The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan includes a unique feature, travel assistance services. This plan helps students find appropriate medical care and will help with other travel related emergencies anywhere in the world when you are located more than 100 miles from your permanent address. This coverage is available at no additional cost to students enrolled in the plan.
4. The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan offers assurance that your health plan is recognized by doctors and hospitals in the United States and that you have financial protection from unexpected medical costs.

All students have the opportunity to request a waiver of automatic enrollment in the University’s insurance plan each year by September 30 by documenting that their alternate plan meets 6 requirements. Please review your alternate coverage carefully to determine if the plan meets all six of the criteria listed below before going online to enter your request. To obtain specific information to determine if your plan is comparable, it is recommended that you review the policy documents provided by the carrier or contact the insurer directly. The University verifies the insurance information you provide.

Please note that you are expected to check with your insurance company to verify that your plan meets all of these requirements before you make your insurance selection online. All requests to waive are considered but are not guaranteed. If the University determines that your plan fails to meet any of the six requirements, you will be automatically enrolled in the University’s plan and charged for the insurance premium. Health Services will notify you by email if your plan is found not to be comparable.

Coverage for Dependents
Students who enroll in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan may also choose to insure their eligible dependents which include:

• The student’s lawful spouse or same sex partner residing with the student.
• The student’s unmarried children including stepchildren and foster children who are under the age of 19, who reside with the student are not self supporting.
• Newborn or newly adopted children.

Students who wish to obtain insurance coverage for their dependents must be enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan themselves. Enrollment for dependents is managed by the University’s insurance administrator, Aetna Student Health, once the student’s enrollment has been recorded. Unlike the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, the premium to cover a student’s dependent must be paid in full at the time of enrollment either by check or credit card. Some students may receive funding for some portion of the cost of insuring their dependents from their academic department. Students should contact their departmental administrator, financial aid or fellowship office to determine if their eligibility for funding. When funding is approved, a student is provided with a stamped confirmation document. Funded students should not enroll their dependents online, but should download the form and send it to Aetna Student Health with the stamped confirmation as well as any portion of the premium that the student is responsible for paying. We are sorry that we cannot offer online enrollment for funded students because of this additional requirement.

I am an international student and had my vaccinations administered at home. Is this acceptable?
Health Services will review the documentation to see if you meet New York State’s Public Health requirements. Please ensure that your form is completed properly and includes the day, month year and dose(s) administered as well as the physician’s or other health care provider’s signature and stamp. Students should complete the top portion of the University’s form and attach any supporting documentation to it. Please make a copy of the completed form for your records before you submit it.

In my country there is no measles mumps and rubella requirement. What should I do?
Health Services strongly recommends that you complete your immunization requirement before you arrive for classes. If that is not possible, then you may schedule an appointment for the inoculations at Health Services once you have registered for classes.

Free immunizations are also available at the Chelsea Health Center located at 303 Ninth Avenue (between 27th and 28th Streets). The current hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm. You may call them to confirm at 212 676 2323.

We recommend that you complete this as soon as you arrive since there are some clinical timing indications on receiving the measles inoculation.

I think that I have been immunized but I don’t have documentation to prove this. What can I do?
Health Services recommends that you visit your local provider or physician and request a blood test known as a titer. This test determines your immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. If you are not immune you should be vaccinated before you arrive on campus. Your physician should complete the University’s immunization form for you to submit.

What is a Columbia University identification number or UNI?
Your UNI or University Network ID is the key to accessing computer services and electronic resources at Columbia. Every student is assigned one of these unique identifiers consisting of your initials plus an arbitrary number. You can establish your UNI through the CUIT website. The will also allow Health Services to record you immunization documentation.

How can I document my immunization information?
Immunization forms can be found online at the Health Services website. Students should complete the top portion of the form. Your physician or provider should complete Section A or B. Health Services recommends that you make a copy for your records before submitting the form.

My spouse and children will be joining me while I study at Columbia. Does my family need to submit immunization information to the university?
No they do not. The University is responsible only for documenting and reporting on students’ immunization compliance.

Should I document my nine digit university identification number on the immunization form?
No. The University recommends that students do not record this Number either on forms or in email. Please use your Columbia University UNI.

I lost or misplaced my immunization documentation. What should I do?
If you cannot provide documentation, Health Services recommends that you take a blood test known as a titer to determine your immunity. If you are immune then you won’t need to take additional action. The laboratory documentation must be attached to your immunization form if you prove your immunity in this manner. The test can be performed by your local physician or at Primary Care Medical Services for a fee once you have registered.If your test results indicate that you are not immune, you will be notified by email of the inoculations you will need to become compliant.

Do I also need to submit documentation for Meningitis?
No. The meningitis vaccine is optional for all students. Please note that the University is required by New York State to record a meningitis decision for you.

FAQ’s about Immunizations Requirements .