Office of Insurance and Immunization Records

Office of Insurance & Immunization Records Home

Columbia Student Medical Insurance

Important Waiver Information

Health Services Information

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Immunization Requirements

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Columbia Student Medical Insurance -- Medical Care

Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plans

Although the on-campus programs and services are comprehensive, there may be circumstances in which you will need to fill a prescription or receive care from an off-campus clinician or hospital. To provide students with access to consistent, efficient care that complements the programs offered on campus, Teachers College offers the Student Medical Insurance Plan in partnership with Columbia University and Aetna Student Health.

Yes, You Need Health Insurance!

While most students are in good health and expect to face few serious illnesses while in graduate school, medical and mental issues may arise at any time, usually without warning. While many health concerns can be addressed effectively by Columbia's on-campus clinicians, some may require intensive or on-going treatment by outside providers, and significant costs can accumulate quickly.

Mandatory Medical Insurance Coverage

For this reason, Teachers College requires that all students living in TC residence halls AND all students registered for 12 or more billable credits (in the fall or spring semester) to have acceptable health insurance coverage. Students may be enrolled in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, which provides both Basic and Comprehensive levels of coverage, or be covered by a comparable alternate insurance plan. Comparable insurance coverage is defined by the University as meeting 6 specific criteria as outlined on the "Important Waiver Information" page.

**Certificates of Equivalency - COEs - are not considered billable hours

Automatic Enrollment

To ensure that students will have adequate coverage, all students living in TC residence halls and all students registered for 12 or more billable credits (in the fall or spring semester) are automatically enrolled in the Basic level of the Plan. Students may upgrade to the Comprehensive Plan using the Student Information System: https://info.tc.columbia.edu. A student may also request to waive of automatic enrollment in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan by documenting acceptable, comparable coverage.*** A new insurance enrollment or waiver request must be submitted each year during the fall semester.

*** Please see the 'Important Waiver Information' page for complete details.

Voluntary Enrollment

Any TC student enrolled in a degree-granting program (including students taking only dissertation advisement) can opt to enroll in either the Basic or Comprehensive level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan. You can enroll in and select your level of insurance coverage online in the Student Information System, https://info.tc.columbia.edu. Paper forms are no longer offered.

After logging onto the Student Information System, follow these steps:

- click on 'Student Services and Financial Aid'
- click on 'Registration.'
- click on 'Health Service and Medical Insurance'
- click on 'Health Service and Medical Insurance Enrollment'
- select Fall 2009 Semester
- place a check mark next to your plan of choice
- click on 'Add to My Account'
- click on "View Your Charges" to complete

Period of Coverage

The insurance program begins on September 1st of an academic year and ends the following August 31st. Enrollment in the program cannot be processed until a student registers for classes at the college. For new students in fall 2009, advisement/registration opens on May 18, 2009. Your advisor will provide you with a PIN number, which is used to access the Student Information System - allowing you to both register for classes and enroll in or waive the insurance plan. Continuing students may also register for classes and enroll in the insurance plans starting on April 27, 2009.

PLEASE NOTE: The last day to make a decision as to enrollment/waiving status is the last day of class add/drop; for the fall 2009 semester, the deadline is Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Dependent Enrollment

Students may enroll their dependents (spouse, same-sex partner, child/children) in the Basic Level of the insurance plan by clicking "Enroll Online" on Aetna Student Health web site: www.aetnastudenthealth.com/columbiadirect.html.

Medical Insurance Continuation Plan

Teachers College students who have been enrolled in the Student Medical Insurance program may choose to continue insurance coverage after graduating from Teachers College. To enroll or to find out more information about the Continuation Plan, please visit Aetna Student Insurance website at www.aetnastudenthealth.com/columbiadirect.html under the 'Enroll Online' link. The Continuation Plan only offers the Basic Level of coverage.

Waiving Requirements

Please see page titled 'Important Waiver Information'

PLEASE NOTE: Students wishing to waive the insurance plan after the waiver deadline, must file a -'Petition to Waive' form, which may be obtained in 159 Thorndike Hall. Petition to waive requests will be considered, but are not guaranteed approval.

Aetna Student Health Contact Information

Customer Service Department: 1-800-859-8471
Website: http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/columbiadirect.html

Aetna Pharmacy Management

1-800-AETNA Rx (238-6279)

Insurance Plan Comparison (**Please see the Detailed Description on the 'Forms & Guides' page for a complete comparison, limitations, and policy exclusions):

Benefit Type	Included in the Health Services at Columbia Fee	Basic Plan	Comprehensive Plan
Lifetime Maximum	$2,000	Student: $300,000 Dependent: $300,000	Student: $1,000,000
Copay per Visit/Service	No copay	$25	$10
Plan Benefits (per Injury or Illness)	N/A	Preferred Care: 80% to $10,000; 100% thereafter Note: Physician office visits paid 100% Non-Preferred Care: 50% to $10,000; 100% thereafter Note: Physician office visits paid at 70%	Preferred Care: 100% Non-Preferred Care: 70% to $10,000; 100% thereafter $10 deductible per visit
Other Available Coverages	Outpatient Substance Abuse Coverage; Outpatient Mental Health Coverage Note: All services provided within Primary Care, Women's Health and CPS are provided at no charge.	Prescription Coverage to $1,500 following copays of $5 (generic), $25 (brand) or $40 per brand name for which a lower-cost alternative is available.	Prescription Coverage to $7500 following copays of $5 (generic), $25 (brand) or $40 per brand name for which a lower-cost alternative is available.