COLUMBIA STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE/WAIVER RATES & FORMS
All returning full-time students must enroll or waive the Columbia Student Health Plan each spring, or they will not be able to register for fall classes. Incoming first-year students must enroll or waive the Columbia Student Health Plan once admitted. If waiving coverage, you will need to provide proof of comparable coverage. Visit the orientation page for a complete list of action items and deadlines for incoming students and returning students.
Here is a summary of key information for the upcoming academic year:
All plans offer robust medical and mental health coverage with pharmacy & lab benefits. Care begins on campus with medical services, and there are no co-pays for medical or mental health visits on campus. The Columbia Plans are fully ACA compliant.
For more detailed information about the Columbia University Student Health Plans, please see this helpful site from Aetna.
PLEASE NOTE: If you meet any one of the following three criteria, you must pay the Columbia Health Services Fee [2023-24 annual cost $1,364; $682 per semester]: a. full-time students (9+ credits), b. students enrolled in Columbia University Student Health Plans, c. students living in seminary housing.
Full-Time Students (9+ credits)
- Full-time students are required to enroll or waive the Columbia University Student Health Insurance using this link.
- Enrollment in the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan is automatic for all full-time students unless waived by September 30. If you have comparable coverage, you may waive.
- The Fall semester open enrollment period is from July 1 – September 30 each year except for students who first join the seminary in the spring, who may enroll or waive at that time.
- Students whose status changes from part-time to full-time during the academic year will be automatically enrolled at that time, but may waive the insurance if they have comparable coverage.
- The waiver must be completed each insurance year. The insurance year begins August 15 of each year. If you entered in spring, and waived, you must repeat the waiver again for the fall semester.
- Full-time students and those on the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan are required to pay the Health Services Fee regardless of the student’s physical location.
Part-Time Students
Part-time students may elect to enroll in the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan by using this link. Part-time students who enroll in the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan must pay the Columbia Health Services Fee.
Students whose status changes from part-time to full-time during the academic year will be automatically enrolled at that time but may waive the insurance if they have comparable coverage by emailing Dean Abby: aasgaralli@uts.columbia.edu.
International Students
Union Theological Seminary requires ALL international students (regardless of credit status) to enroll in the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan. Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be complex, and this will ensure that international students have access to the highest quality of care both on- and off-campus. Please reach out to Dean Abby with any questions: aasgaralli@uts.columbia.edu
Dual-Degree Students
After the first two years, students are given the status of “dual degree semester (other institution),” which denotes that a student is paying full-time tuition at another school. Students with the status of “dual degree semester (other institution)” are not charged Union tuition and are expected to pay relevant fees such as the student activity fee, housing rent, and meal plan fee as applicable. Students with the dual degree semester (other institution) enrollment status may not take more than six credits per semester at Union in years three and four. Students who are full-time at another institution must enroll in health insurance through their home school and will not be charged the Columbia Health Services Fee as part-time students at Union.
| 2023-2024 Rates | Fall Premium (8/15-12/31) | Spring/Summer (1/1-8/14) | Monthly (for comparison only) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students Only | $5,647.00 | $2,145.00 | $3,502.00 | $470.58 |
| Student and Spouse/Partner | $11,294.00 | $4,290.00 | $7,004.00 | $941.17 |
| Student and Child | $11,264.00 | $4,278.00 | $6,986.00 | $938.67 |
| Student and Children | $16,881.00 | $6,411.00 | $10,470.00 | $1,406.75 |
| Student, Spouse/Partner and Child | $16,911.00 | $6,423.00 | $10,488.00 | $1,409.25 |
| Student, Spouse/Partner and Children | $22,528.00 | $8,556.00 | $13,972.00 | $1,877.33 |
- Please note that dependents are not automatically enrolled or renewed. Please complete the Dependent Enrollment Application to enroll.
| Aetna Voluntary Dental Plan (2023-2024) | |
|---|---|
| Student | $439.00 |
| Add a Spouse/Partner | $465.00 |
| Per Child | $705.00 |
| Aetna Voluntary Vision Plan (2023-2024) | |
|---|---|
| Per Enrollee | $81.00 |
| Per Family | $199.00 |
Part-time students, including non-degree students taking less than 9 credits, are not required to waive or enroll in the Columbia Student Health Plan, or to pay the Columbia Health Services Fee, unless their status changes to full-time. Part-time students may elect to pay the Columbia Health Services Fee to benefit from the health program and may also choose to enroll in the Columbia Student Health Plan. Please email Dean Abby aasgaralli@uts.columbia.edu for support.
DISCOUNTED DENTAL SERVICES
Students enrolled in the Columbia Plan have access to covered preventative dental services and specially discounted rates for other dental needs through Columbia Doctors Dentistry. Dental discounts include:
- One routine examination per plan year
- One dental cleaning (prophylaxis) per plan year
- A 25% discount off self-pay fees on additional services
- X-rays as needed and with the routine examination
- Evaluation of emergency dental conditions and emergency pain relief
- A $20 copay per visit
**Columbia Doctors Dentistry (operated by Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine) facilitates these dental benefits and are not underwritten by Aetna or administered by Aetna Student Health.
COLUMBIA DENTAL ASSOCIATES LOCATIONS:
Upper West Side/Morningside Practices
1244 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
(212) 342 – 2300
430 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 662 – 4887
Northern Manhattan Practices
CUIMC/Haven Towers
100 Haven Ave
New York, NY 10032
(212) 342 – 0107
CUIMC/Presbyterian Hospital and Vanderbilt Clinic
622 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305 – 4552
Midtown Practice
ColumbiaDoctors – Midtown
51 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 326 – 8520
