Who We Serve

Last reviewed: 10/23/2023

Columbia Health serves the University community by providing a range of programs and services for currently registered Morningside, Manhattanville, and Teachers College students, and by providing support for affiliate institutions, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and the K-8 School.

If you have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services Fee, you may make an appointment to see a provider in Medical Services or a clinician at Counseling and Psychological Services. Students who have paid the part-time or half-time fee have access to the programs and services provided through Alice! Health Promotion, Sexual Violence Response, and Disability Services (except for Teachers College, Jewish Theological, and Union Theological Seminary).

Clinicians and other professional staff members can provide advice and help with many kinds of health issues, both serious and routine. We are happy to answer questions by phone or to meet with you to talk about more complex issues. Remember that we follow professional standards for protecting the confidentiality of students’ health information. Other sections of this website provide important information about the on-campus services provided through Columbia Health and the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.

We encourage you to become familiar with the health resources available to you both on-and off-campus.

 

Who Can Use Columbia Health

All full and part-time international students on the Morningside and Manhattanville campus, as well as Teachers College, Jewish Theological, and Union Theological Seminary, are automatically enrolled in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan (the Columbia Plan).

Certain requirements or restrictions may apply depending on the visa-type and designated status at Columbia (self-funded student, funded student, exchange student, visiting scholar, etc.). All international students are encouraged to a student affairs adviser at your school or an advisor at the International Students and Scholars Office to discuss their eligibility and concerns about accessing healthcare while at Columbia. 

 

Teachers College students receive services through Columbia Health. Full-time students are automatically enrolled in Columbia Health and in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. Domestic students may request a waiver if documentation of comparable insurance coverage is provided. Part-time domestic students can elect to enroll in Columbia Health and in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.

Teachers College students receive the same services provided for other Columbia students except for disability services. At Teachers College, these services are provided through the Office of Access and Services for Individuals With Disabilities.

Immunization compliance and health insurance enrollment for are managed by Columbia Health.

Full-time Jewish Theological Seminary students are automatically enrolled in Columbia Health and in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. Domestic students may request a waiver if documentation of comparable insurance coverage is provided. Part-time domestic students can elect to enroll in Columbia Health and in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.

Enrollment is coordinated by the Jewish Theological Seminary Office of Human Resources. Once enrolled in Columbia Health, students receive the same services provided for Columbia students except for disability services. At JTS, these services are provided through the dean's offices in the individual schools. The JTS Student Counseling Center, under the auspices of the Office of Student Life, is committed to the delivery of psycho-social counseling services to students. Seminary students also have access to Counseling and Psychological Services at Columbia Health.

Jewish Theological Seminary students provide documentation of their compliance with immunization requirements to the JTS Office of the Registrar.

Full-time Union Theological Seminary (UTS) students are automatically enrolled in Columbia Health and in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. Domestic students may request a waiver if documentation of comparable insurance coverage is provided. Part-time domestic students can elect to enroll in Columbia Health and in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.

Enrollment is coordinated by the Union Theological Seminary Office of Student Life. Once enrolled in Columbia Health program, UTS students receive the same services provided for Columbia students, with the exception of disability services. At the seminary, these services are provided through the Office of Student Life.

Students provide documentation of their compliance with immunization requirements to the seminary’s Office of Student Life in Room 108 of the administrative building.

Students at Columbia University Irving Medical Center may utilize health and well-being resources from Student Health on Haven and are eligible to enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.

Two Columbia Health resources are available to Medical Center students: Disability Services and Sexual Violence Response.

Disability Services facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating accommodations and support services, cultivating a campus culture that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of students.

Sexual Violence Response has a location at the Medical Center campus. Sexual Violence Response works with the Center for Student Wellness to provide educational and skill-building workshops on the Medical Center campus. Sexual Violence Response can also provide referrals for Medical Center students to on-campus, community-based, and national support services.

Students participating in study abroad programs who are enrolled in the Columbia Health program may wish to review the CU on the Road Travel Medicine program at Medical Services to obtain advice about a health problem before traveling abroad. They should be aware that enrollment in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan will also provide students will On Call International insurance coverage. In addition, they should meet with their Columbia Health primary care physician before leaving if they need to discuss a chronic illness and prescription medication.

During the academic year, Barnard students receive services through Barnard College Student Health Service. Counseling services are provided by the Rosemary Furman Counseling Center, and disability services are provided by the Barnard Office of Disability Services.

During the summer, Barnard students may receive care for acute medical conditions at Columbia Health Medical Services. A fee is assessed and payable at the time of service, and is subsequently reimbursed to the student through the Barnard College medical insurance plan.

The Columbia Barnard Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center is a joint program of Barnard College and Columbia University and is located in the Barnard Quad (105 Hewitt Hall).

The School at Columbia supports a dynamic and nurturing community of learners in grades K-8. Columbia Health advises The School at Columbia on community-wide public health issues, but it cannot provide direct medical care or counseling services for students except in emergencies.