Student Insurance Key Information

When can I enroll?

New Summer 2025 students: May 1 – June 30, 2025. 

New and continuing Fall 2025 students: July 15 – September 30, 2025. 

Continuing students with approved waivers from Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

Your waiver will remain valid through August 14, 2025.

Currently enrolled students from Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

You will continue to be enrolled in the Columbia Plan through August 14 as long as you remain an active registered student throughout the Spring term.  

 

How do I enroll in the Columbia Plan?

Login to the Patient Portal and click on the "Medical Clearances/Insurance Enrollment" tab found on the left-hand side. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and follow the enrollment instructions (step-by-step instructions available). 

Your plan will become active within 5-7 business days once you have registered for class* and have been billed tuition.  

*include your Residence Unit, if applicable 

 

How do I enroll dependents?

After you have confirmed enrollment in the plan, submit the Dependent Enrollment Form through the Patient Portal. The form can be found on the "Medical Clearances/Insurance Enrollment" tab under the Additional items NOT required for Clearance  section.

See step-by-step instructions for how to enroll dependents.  

Have previously enrolled a spouse or partner? 

You must submit a dependent enrollment form every year. 

First time enrolling a spouse or partner? 

You must submit a Marriage Certificate or Certificate of Domestic Partnership (certified English translation if applicable).  

 

 

Can I enroll/waive outside of open enrollment? 

Students and/or eligible dependents with a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) may request enrollment or termination of the Student Health Insurance Plan via a QLE Petition.  

Students who missed the deadline but have have existing insurance coverage which meets the waiver criteria may submit a late Insurance Waiver Request. 

For the most common QLE/late waiver instructions, visit the About the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan page, scroll down to the About Enrollment section and view “Change of Life Petitions, Late Insurance Waiver Requests, and Dependent Changes.”

 

How much is the insurance premium? 

Premium information can be found on the About the Columbia Student Insurance Plan and Insurance for Families pages on our website: 

View premium costs for individual students.

View premium costs for students with dependents (spouses, partners, and children).

 

Where can I find my insurance card?

Once your plan is active, you can view and print your insurance card on the Aetna Student Health website using your UNI and date of birth. 

Physical ID cards are mailed upon request. Please call Aetna Customer Service for assistance at 800-859-8471.

 

Do I need a referral to see a provider off campus?

All* care begins on-campus at either Medical Services or Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). You will need to get a referral from these departments before seeing an in-network, off-campus medical or mental health care provider. 

You can schedule an appointment via the Patient Portal or by calling Medical Services at 212-854-7426 or CPS at 212-854-2878.

For more information regarding referrals, view Referral Requirements and Exceptions page.

Initial Emergency Room (ER) or Urgent Care visits do not require a referral. However, a referral from campus is required prior to most in-network follow-up appointments. Any referral you receive from the ER or Urgent Care doctor is not valid. 

 

Are dental and vision coverage included in the Columbia Plan?  

Adult dental coverage is limited to the removal of impacted wisdom teeth and services due to accidental injury to natural teeth*.

*Specifically, sound and healthy, natural teeth: teeth that are functioning in the mouth; that are organic and formed by natural development of the body (not artificial or manufactured); and are predisposed to injury due to extensive restoration, disease, or decay. 

Adult vision services are covered when related to a medical condition/diagnosis.

Pediatric dental and vision coverage is available.

In addition, students have access to Dental and Vision Discounts.

Options for dental and vision coverage

Voluntary plans for dental and vision coverage are also available. Learn more about the voluntary plans on the Voluntary Dental and Vision page. For enrollment deadlines*, refer to the Fall 2025 enrollment period outlined above.   

*New Summer 2025 students who will continue to be registered in the Fall, are not eligible to enroll until the Fall 2025 enrollment period (coverage effective August 15, 2025).  

Contact Aetna for support regarding the voluntary plans

For assistance with the voluntary dental plan, call 877-238-6200 and reference Policy Number 696730.

For the voluntary vision plan call 877-973-3238 and reference Group ID 1022457. 

 

 

Am I covered when I travel?

Students have the same coverage across the U.S. and abroad. Visit the Coverage While Traveling page for guidance on how to use your coverage while traveling.  

 

How do I submit a claim for reimbursement?

Follow these instructions to submit claims to Aetna.

 

How much do I pay for prescriptions?

An Aetna Specialist breaks down the Aetna voluntary dental and vision plans so students can understand what they are, how they work, and if they are appropriate for the student.