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Summer College > Student life > Health, safety, and wellbeing > Student health insurance

Student health insurance

Requirements

Because of the high costs of medical care, Cornell requires all students to have adequate health insurance coverage. The Cornell University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a policy designed especially for students at Cornell and provides extensive coverage at a reasonable cost.

The SHIP provides coverage for illnesses and injuries, on and off campus, and includes special cost-saving features to keep the coverage affordable. The Cornell Office of Student Health Insurance provides assistance to all SHIP members, who are covered twenty-four hours a day throughout the term of their enrollment, anywhere in the world.

Please examine your existing insurance coverage carefully and compare it with the major provisions of the SHIP. Individuals covered by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs) often have severely limited out-of-area coverage that will not cover many costs incurred in the Ithaca area.

To meet Cornell University's criteria, your health insurance plan must:

  1. Be provided by a company licensed to do business in the United States, with a U.S. claim payment office and U.S. phone number.
  2. Provide coverage in the Ithaca area for outpatient and inpatient medical care (coverage for emergency care does NOT meet this requirement).
  3. Provide coverage for outpatient and inpatient mental health care.
  4. Have a maximum health benefit of at least $500,000/year.
  5. Remain in force as long as you are participating in a summer program.
  6. Provide coverage for pre-existing conditions.

All students, regardless of insurance coverage, are encouraged to use Gannett for their primary medical and mental health care.

If students waive the SHIP, Gannett will require payment at time of service. In general, most providers will ask for your insurance information when making an appointment.

For example, if students are not covered by SHIP and arrive on campus without the required immunizations (outlined on the Health History Form), Gannett will charge the students the following fees:

  • MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella): $105
  • Meningococcal: $200
  • TD (Tetanus/Diptheria): $40
  • Tdap(Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis): $50

If you choose to enroll in the SHIP, return the SHIP enrollment form with the appropriate premium in U.S. funds either by check or a bank money order to:

Student Health Insurance Office
Cornell University
409 College Avenue
Suite 211
Ithaca, NY 14850
Telephone: 607.255.6363
Fax: 607.254.5221
E-mail: sicu@cornell.edu
Web: www.studentinsurance.cornell.edu/gannett/insurance/summer/

Please note that once a student has enrolled in the SHIP, the plan is not cancellable or refundable. In addition, students cannot be enrolled in the SHIP once their Summer College program has started.