Eligibility for Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan

Eligible students must enroll for health insurance during open enrollment, making this time sensitive. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or have questions, contact the Columbia Health Insurance Office at [email protected]. Students are responsible for knowing their options regarding eligibility and enrollment deadlines.  

Please read the information below carefully, as eligibility and enrollment opportunities are regulated by a variety of federal and state laws.  

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Eligibility 

Students eligible for coverage in The Columbia Plan include: all full-time and part-time Columbia students registered in a course load for credit and billed tuition at the Morningside or Manhattanville campuses or Teachers College. This includes students registered for residence units, full-time matriculation and facilities, MFA research arts, maintenance of status, visiting, and exchange students. 

Students at Union Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Columbia University Medical Center should contact their school for eligibility requirements.  

Activation of coverage is contingent on students being registered for class, billed tuition and enrolled in insurance. Coverage is activated within 7 business days of completion of all of the above.  

Students must enroll during the enrollment period, starting with their first term at the University and each fall thereafter. The University is not responsible for students missing deadlines. 

Dependents 

In most cases, a spouse or domestic partner and dependent children can also be enrolled in the plan. Students with dependents are encouraged to learn more about dependent coverage when making an insurance decision. 

Ineligible Categories 

The following is a partial list of Morningside Campus categories/programs that are ineligible for enrollment in the Columbia Plan. 

  • Solely auditing course(s)
  • OPT (Other Practical Training)
  • CVN (Columbia Video Network)
  • Visiting Scholars
  • Summer High School Students
  • Non-medical leave of absence withdrawals (personal, employment, etc.)
  • Students who utilized the 2-semester maximum eligibility for Student Insurance enrollment while on approved medical leaves of absence (see Medical Leave of Absence section below)
  • Non-registered students in all categories (includes graduating students after coverage termination and new incoming students seeking enrollment prior to plan effective dates) 

Medical Leave of Absence 

Students who are approved for a medical leave of absence (MLOA) by their school may remain on The Columbia Plan for a total of two semesters during the student’s enrollment at Columbia, regardless of the length of the program. You may consult with the health insurance office to determine whether you qualify to remain on the insurance. You can email them at [email protected].  

Academic units approve a student’s medical leave and will be reflected in the Student Information System.  

When a student enrolled on the Columbia Plan decides to take a MLOA, that semester is part of the two-term maximum, regardless of when the leave starts. When the Student Health Insurance Office receives written official notification from the school of the approved MLOA, they will email the student with details of how to remain on or opt out of the Columbia Plan.  

Students who do not reply within 5 business days are automatically terminated from the plan on the last day of the month the insurance office was notified. 

Non-Medical Leaves, Withdrawal, or Dismissal from the University 

Students who withdraw from the University for non-medical leaves, or who are dismissed from the University, are ineligible to remain on The Columbia Plan.  

When the Student Health Insurance Office receives notification from the University withdrawal system, an email will be sent to the student’s Columbia email and a mailed letter.  

Students withdrawing or dismissed during the Open Enrollment period are considered not to have enrolled at the University that term. You are ineligible for enrollment in the Columbia Plan. 

If a student leaves during the semester, their plan will end either 21 days or the end of the month that the Student Health Insurance Office is notified, whichever is later. Students will receive a pro-rated refund of any remaining premium as a credit to their student account.  

Note: The Columbia Health and Related Services Fee, paid by all students enrolled in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan, is nonrefundable and is not pro-rated. 

No Longer Eligible for the Columbia Plan

Learn more about other coverage options.