Columbia University Health Services

To request a waiver of automatic enrollment in the Basic Level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, new incoming students must submit a Waiver Request before September 30, 2009 for Fall enrollment (February 1, 2010 for Spring enrollment) and provide documentation of alternate coverage under a comparable insurance plan. Alternate coverage must meet at least six criteria, all of which are described at www.health.columbia.edu. All online requests are considered but approval is not guaranteed.

If enrollment in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan has been waived for the Fall term the waiver will automatically be extended to the Spring term unless a significant life change occurs that warrants enrollment. Some examples of significant life changes are termination of insurance coverage under a partner’s or employer’s benefit plan, or surpassing the maximum age for coverage as a dependent under a parent’s plan. Late requests for enrollment will be reviewed upon receipt of documentation of such a change. Because students’ alternate insurance coverage may change, students wishing to request a waiver of automatic enrollment in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan must submit a new waiver request by September 30 of each year the student is registered.

Students at Columbia's affiliates (Jewish Theological Seminary, Teachers College, and Union Theological Seminary) must follow their schools' procedures.