Columbia University Health Services


Overview

While many health concerns can be addressed effectively by our on-campus clinicians, some may require intensive, emergency or ongoing treatment by outside providers. For this reason, Columbia University requires all registered full-time students to have acceptable health insurance coverage. The University offers the Student Medical Insurance Plan at two levels of coverage: Basic and Comprehensive, in partnership with Aetna Student Health. Coverage is underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Additional information can be found on the Aetna Student Health website. To ensure that students have adequate coverage, all registered full-time students are automatically enrolled in the Basic Level of the Plan if no valid waiver request is submitted by September 30, 2008 for fall enrollment and February 1, 2009 for spring enrollment. Full-time students must confirm their insurance selection every year by actively enrolling in the Basic or Comprehensive Level of the Plan or by requesting a waiver of automatic enrollment in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan and demonstrating coverage under another comparable policy.


IMPORTANT NOTICE

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
STUDENT MEDICAL INSURANCE UPDATE FOR 2008-2009

BENEFIT CHANGES

There have been several important benefit changes to the Columbia Student Insurance Plan and Health Service Program for the plan year 2008-2009.These changes include benefits for prescriptions and physical therapy.

Every year Health Services at Columbia re-evaluates the health insurance being offered, making adjustments and negotiating changes as necessary so as to offer the most cost-effective appropriate coverage possible.Below are the benefit modifications for this year:

Prescriptions

  1. Increased annual maximum on Basic Plan from $1,000 to $1,500.
  2. Increased annual maximum on Comprehensive Plan from $5,000 to $7,500.
  3. Decreased generic (Tier One) medication copay from $10 to $5.

Physical Therapy

Increased annual maximum on the Basic Level of the Plan from $250 to $500 for non-post-surgical treatment.

Travel Assistance Program

On Call International is the new travel assistance vendor for the 2008-2009 benefit period.

Referrals

Referrals for medical conditions need to be updated annually.

Referrals for mental health conditions are valid as long as students are continuously insured.

Detailed information on benefit changes to the Columbia Plan can be found at the Aetna Student Health website.

For more information, please contact Aetna Student Health at 800-859-8471 or Columbia ’s Insurance Office at 212 854-3286.



Students must confirm, upgrade or request a waiver from automatic enrollment in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan every year before the specified deadline.
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Important Phone Numbers

General Information 212 854 2284
After-hours urgent health concerns 212 854 9797
CAVA (Ambulance) 212 854 5555
Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center 212 854 WALK
Uptown Campus Public Safety
 - On-Campus 7-7979
 - Off-Campus 212-305-8100