Columbia University Health Services

After obtaining a referral from a Health Services provider to see a consulting off-campus clinician, you may want to select a Preferred Provider from the Aetna network in order to maximize your savings and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. It is to your advantage to utilize a Preferred Provider because significant savings can be achieved due to their agreement with Aetna regarding rates of payment for their services. If you elect to receive care from a Non-Preferred Provider, any charges in excess of the Reasonable Charge allowance will not be covered.

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan provides students access to a provider network throughout the country. A partial listing of Preferred Providers is available at Health Services, where providers are available to provide suggestions about consulting specialists in Manhattan who understand the needs of Columbia students and are often conveniently located. 

Ultimately, however, it is the student's responsibility to make sure the off-campus provider is a Preferred Provider in the Aetna network to be eligible for the highest level of benefits. You can visit Aetna Student Health for a full listing of providers nationwide. Click on "DocFind® ", enter your zip code, and indicate that you belong to an "Open Choice" PPO Plan.

Students can access healthcare while traveling outside the United States. As Aetna does not maintain a network of providers outside the U.S., services are covered at the Preferred Provider rate. Please contact Aetna Student Health Claims Administrators, Inc. for more detailed information.

Preferred Providers are independent contractors and are neither employees nor agents of Columbia University, Aetna Student Health Claims Administrators, Inc., or Aetna.