Your Student Health Insurance Questions: Answered!
Answers to questions posed during the Insurance 101 webinar.
On Friday, September 23, 2022, the Student Health Insurance team hosted the webinar "Insurance 101: A Workshop on Student Health Insurance" to help students better understand the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan and how to make the most of it.
Need a refresher?
Watch a recording of the webinar (captioned) or read through the presentation deck.
Below are the questions posed during the webinar, and answered by the team. For further information about the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan, visit the About the Plan page, or reach out for support by emailing [email protected].
Question (Q): Do we need to pay for prescribed medicines?
Answer (A): You have medication co-pays: $15 for generic, $50 for preferred brand drugs, and $75 for non-preferred brand drugs. It is a $0 co-pay for generic contraceptives. It is a 30% co-insurance if you use an out-of-network pharmacy.
Q: I got the COVID and flu vaccines and they asked me for my primary care provider’s name, phone number and address. What should we put down for that?
A: You should make an appointment with Medical Services to establish care with a primary care provider (PCP). PCPs are based at Columbia Health, 519 W 114th St, John Jay 4, NYC, NY 10027. If you currently don't have one, use Columbia Health.
Q: Where can we receive immunization on campus?
A: Medical Services.
Q: Does the insurance cover the HPV Vaccine?
A: HPV Vaccines are available at no-cost at Medical Services (pending availability); if performed at an in-network facility, you may be responsible for a copay.
Q: Does the insurance cover COVID-19 self-test boxes and any health/dietary supplements like vitamins?
A: Aetna will cover the cost of up to 8 COVID-19 home test kits. If ordered online with in-store pharmacy pick-up, it will run through your insurance with no paperwork required. Vitamins are not covered. However, as an added wellness perk you may be able to be reimbursed for an exercise membership - up to $200 per 6 months. ($100 for spouse per 6 months and must complete 50 visits in 6 months)
Q: Each time we go to a specialist, do we have to pay the copayment?
A: Yes, the co-payment is required per visit.
Q: If I have recurring weekly mental health appointments out-of-network with a cost of $200 each, do I need to meet the $600 deductible just once per year? And then, will each appointment after I pay $600 cost $60 because of the 30% coinsurance?
A: You will have to meet the deductible once within the academic plan year. Once you hit the $600 deductible, your out-of-network claims are paid with the 30 or 40% co-insurance rate
Q: What’s the copay for seeing a dermatologist?
A: $30 for in-network specialist visits (with referral)
Q: Do we need to pay anything more than our insurance that we already paid for, for any specific types of medical care?
A: You are responsible for any co-payments, coinsurance and if out of network, the deductible ($600)
Q: Do all doctors take co-payment?
A: Typically, off-campus in-network doctors will require a co-payment at the time of service.
Q: Does the $0 co-pay apply to online students?
A: Yes, for on-campus visits
Q: Are the same steps necessary for online students?
A: Yes
Q: Once you get a referral, what do you do with that document?
A: Once you have the referral, you make an appointment with a specialist of your choosing. You can find in-network specialists on the Aetna website. Call or make an appointment online (if available).
Q: If I go to external agencies without a referral, will I still be able to get my service partially covered?
A: Yes, the claim will be paid at the out-of-network rate.
Q: If I get a referral from Columbia Health and go to see an in-network physician off-campus and I am diagnosed and require no follow-up procedures, do I still need to pay for the co-pay?
A: Yes, the office visit itself is $30.
Q: Can you kindly explain when we need referrals? Also, is there a campus pharmacy where the medication prices are cheaper?
A: You will need a referral for most off-campus visits. There is not an on-campus pharmacy. Your insurance has 3 levels of co-pays required for prescriptions, depending upon generic, preferred brand or brand scripts. Visit Aetna's website for the current prescriptions list. There are several pharmacies near campus:
- Duane Reade: 111th and Broadway
- CVS: 110th and Broadway
- Hartley Pharmacy: 120th and Amsterdam
- Town Drug: 113 and Amsterdam
- Additionally, you can have your prescriptions delivered to you via online services such as capsule.com.
Q: Can I continue to see my old PCP who is in-network but not a part of Columbia Health? Can I get a referral from Columbia Health to that PCP?
A: When you are on the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan, your physicians at Columbia Health are your Primary Care Physicians.
Q: Are the doctors (at least at Columbia Health) unable to see what medicine is covered under the Columbia student’s insurance? My doctor and I had to go back and forth with the pharmacy to find out if something was covered.
A: There is not a campus pharmacy. Your insurance has 3 levels of co-pays required for prescriptions, depending upon generic, preferred brand or brand scripts. Visit Aetna's website for the current prescriptions list.
Q: Are Eye Exams covered in insurance?
A: Other than certain discounts, routine vision and dental exam coverages apply to pediatric coverage only.
Q: Where can we get a referral for an outside eye doctor?
A: Make an appointment with your PCP at Medical Services - the visit will only be covered if you're being seen for a medical condition. Routine eye exams are not covered.
Q: Is there an in-network eye doctor?
A: In-network ophthalmologists can be found on the Aetna website.
Q: If I need a contact lenses prescription or want a regular check for my eyes, do I need to buy the vision insurance to be covered?
A: The supplemental vision insurance does cover eye exams and some portion of contacts. The voluntary plan will provide you with the best options for coverage if you go for regular exams.
Q: Do we have to pay for eye examinations to get contact lenses?
A: Most often an eye exam is required to ensure your contacts are the correct prescription. You can ask your provider what they recommend.
Q: If I’d like to get orthodontics and myopia surgery, will the Aetna supplement dental and vision insurance cover that?
A: There is no orthodontia coverage included in the dental plan. Please reach out to Aetna directly for the details of the voluntary plans. You can contact them directly at 877-238-6200 and reference Policy Number 696730. For Vision, call 877-973-3238 and reference Group ID 1022457.
Q: What is CPS?
A: Counseling and Psychological Services, located in Lerner Hall and can be reached by calling 212-854-2878
Q: Do we have to pay a co-pay to make an appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services Main Office?
A: There is no co-pay to see someone at CPS on campus. You can make an appointment by calling 212-854-2878
Q: What is the difference between Urgent Care and the ER? Where can we find any of them around campus?
A: Urgent Care facilities are walk-in facilities that can handle a variety of issues and can often offer immediate attention; the ER is the emergency room at a hospital - you should go here if you need care for a severe and/or for any life-threatening condition. Medical Services has a 24-hour hotline to help you determine the proper course of care at 212-854-7426.
You can use the Aetna Doc Finder to find the closest Urgent Care or ER.
Q: What do we need to pay usually if we need to call an ambulance?
A: Ambulance is a $100 co-pay; The on-campus CUEMS ambulance provides transport free of charge.
Q: Dear Columbia health staff, what is the co-insurance for ER? Is it the same as 10%?
A: ER has a $150 co-pay (waived if you are admitted into the hospital)
Q: Do we need to pay on top of the ER copay when we call an ambulance? If yes, how much is that?
A: Ambulance is a $100 co-pay; The CUEMS on-campus ambulance provides transport free of charge; ER has a $150 co-pay (waived if you are admitted into the hospital)
Q: What is the procedure for claim request submission?
A: You can upload claim information on the Aetna Student Health site. Log in to your account and follow prompts. Additionally, you can download the Aetna App for easy access to all your plan benefits, etc.
Q: I know there’s some medical benefits provided by Aetna, like teeth whitening and X-rays once a year and so on. Where can we find information on what is provided by the insurance plan?
A: As a member of Aetna, you may access Dental Discounts available through Columbia Doctors Dentistry. Please note services must be provided through Columbia Doctors Dentistry.
Q: Will there be details shared regarding how to access dental coverage under the student plan?
A: See above
Q: Are non-aesthetic dental procedures (e.g. cavities) covered by our insurance?
A: Check out the Aetna voluntary dental plan to see if it is a good fit for your needs.
Q: How do we enroll in dental insurance?
A: Directly through Aetna website, details on voluntary plans and enrollment are on the Columbia Health website. Please note, open enrollment for the Fall 2022-2023 plan year has closed. You can enroll in Spring 2023 when the open enrollment period begins on December 15, 2022.
Q: I know there’s some medical benefits provided by Aetna, like we have teeth whitening and X-rays once a year and so on. Where can we find information on what is that provided by the insurance plan?
A: The voluntary dental plan is separate from the medical plan. Please see above.
Q: Are the free dental clean up services available to online students who aren't on campus?
A: The dental programs are available to online students as well. The discounts, however, are only through providers at Columbia Doctors Dentistry in NYC.
Q: A link for partner enrollment, please?
A: Go to your Patient Portal, select the Downloadable Forms tab and select Dependent Enrollment form. Complete and upload to the Patient Portal.
Q: Does the student package cover dependents like a partner and child?
A: For an additional cost, you can add your dependents to the student health plan.
Q: How do I access my username and password for Aetna?
A: Register or login on the member website to establish and access your username and password.
Q: Where do we get our insurance details? I wanted to get a flu shot from CVS which is free, but they required my insurance number and other details.
A: To retrieve your Insurance card, visit the Get Your ID Card page on the Aetna website and fill out the form with your UNI and Date of Birth. This is a digital card that you can show CVS.
Q: How do I get the insurance ID card?
A: Visit the Get Your ID Card page on the Aetna website and fill out the form with your UNI and Date of Birth.
Q: On the app, I cannot access my Aetna card because it requires a username as opposed to our student ID. Any idea how to get around this?
A: You will need to register on the member website to establish your username and password.
Q: Where can search for in network providers?
A: Visit the Aetna website and select "Find Providers".
Q: How can we get a prescription quickly if it’s on a weekend or if we cannot get an appointment at Columbia Health soon?
A: You can message your PCP in the Patient Portal. For urgent needs, you can call the 24-hour hotline at 212-854-7426 and leave a message that will be returned as soon as possible.
Q: How are we insured if we travel abroad for leisure, do we need to get an additional insurance?
A: The Aetna plan covers you while travelling both domestically and internationally. It is best to seek out an in-network provider if you’re in the US, as the coverage will be less expensive, and you will not need to file the claim yourself. If you are International or go out-of-network, you will want to retain all receipts and discharge papers and any pertinent details and submit a claim for reimbursement when you return (or while away). The more detailed the reports of treatment, the easier to file for reimbursement.
Q: Can we use this insurance if we travel out of state or internationally and have a medical issue?
A: Yes, Aetna has a national network of providers and if international, you can file for reimbursement - retain all receipts and documents related to treatment.
Q: Can I know more about the physical therapy?
A: Physical Therapy will need to be authorized by your PCP or your specialist - the co-pay is $30
Q: How do we schedule for acupuncture? Is it an on-campus service?
A: You need a referral from your PCP for off-campus services, and it will be a $30 co-pay or 30% out of network, with deductible applied. Medical Services does offer some acupuncture services.
Q: Can we use the insurance for massage services?
A: The insurance does not cover massage services.