Primary Care
Medical Services at Columbia Health provides a wide range of health care services for students. To make an appointment, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426 or make an appointment in the Patient Portal.
Primary Care at Columbia Health
Medical Services provides care for a wide range of health needs and behaviors to help you feel your best. Some of the reasons that students may come to a visit with Medical Services includes (but is not limited to):
- Cold and virus care
- Vaccinations
- Acne
- Lab tests
- Travel assessments and medication
- Sexual and reproductive health care (including birth control, STI testing, etc.)
- Gender affirming care
- Nutrition support
- Allergy desensitization shots
- Nicotine cessation
Medical Services healthcare providers can also make referrals to specialists or other providers as needed.
Who is eligible?
All Columbia students on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses (including students at Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary, and Jewish Theological Seminary) who have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services fee are eligible to access primary care at Medical Service.
How do I access care at Medical Services?
To make an in-person or telehealth appointment, you may call 212-854-7426 or make an appointment through the Patient Portal. To have a telehealth visit, you must be in New York State at the time of the appointment.
How much will it cost?
There is no fee for primary care services at Medical Services for students who have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services fee.
If you’re prescribed medication, are referred to outside treatment, or require treatment that cannot be provided in Medical Services, you may have additional costs. These costs will depend on your insurance coverage.
What else do I need to know?
If you have the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan, you are required to receive a referral from Medical Services if you’d like to see a specialist. You must have these before visiting the specialist, as referrals cannot be backdated.
If you’re seeing a provider with ColumbiaDoctors, you still need a referral. Columbia Health and ColumbiaDoctors are two separate organizations. ColumbiaDoctors is considered an off-campus provider.
Where can I learn more about these topics?
If you’re on the Columbia Plan and you’re not sure how to use your insurance, you can read more about the plan or email [email protected] for support.
If you’re on an outside insurance plan, please refer to your insurance plan to learn more about costs and options for care.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you need a referral to see a specialist, please schedule a visit with your primary care provider first. This can be in-person or telehealth.