Health Insurance

No matter who you are, your health is essential to achieving your goals at Cornell. Access to health care and adequate health insurance are essential to your health. Without adequate coverage, unexpected medical expenses could alter your future dramatically. That is why Cornell requires registered students to be insured and provides health insurance for all eligible employees.

• Student health insurance requirement
• Comparing health insurance plans
• Student health insurance plan (SHIP)
• Employee health insurance

Student health insurance requirement

Cornell University requires all students to have quality health insurance. The Board of Trustees made this decision in 1975, and for three decades this policy has proven to serve students well. Students are encouraged to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) which has been developed especially for Cornell students (and their eligible dependents) to provide access to consistent, efficient care that complements the health services offered on campus. The SHIP is provided as a benefit to fully-funded graduate students.

To meet Cornell's requirements, private health insurance must:

• Be provided by a company licensed to do business in the United States, with a U.S. claims payment office and a U.S. phone number.
• Provide coverage in the Ithaca area for outpatient and inpatient medical care. (Coverage for emergency care only does not meet this requirement.)
• Provide coverage in the Ithaca area for outpatient and inpatient mental health care.
• Have a maximum benefit of at least $500,000 per year.
• Remain in force as long as you are a registered student at Cornell.
• Cover pre-existing conditions.

For more information about health insurance requirements, visit the Cornell University Office of Student Health Insurance web site for special guidance for undergraduate, graduate, and Vet, Law, and JGSM students.

Comparing health insurance plans

Health insurance plans vary in the coverage they offer. Some provide excellent protection at home, but do not cover students while they are at school, studying abroad, traveling, or on a leave of absence (for medical or other reasons). Others are a bargain up front but leave students without access to medical or mental health services, or with bills they cannot afford. Carefully review any plan you might consider (your parents’ plan or any other) to make sure it will provide adequate coverage for you and your health care needs, both known needs and needs not yet known.

Student health insurance plan (SHIP)

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) has been developed especially for Cornell students (and their dependents) to provide access to consistent, efficient care that complements the health services offered on campus.

The details of the plan are reviewed and recommended each year by Cornell’s Student Insurance Advisory Committee (made up of students, faculty, and staff, including health services staff). This ensures that the coverage is well-suited to the needs of the Cornell students and respectful of their budgets. The SHIP is managed by Aetna Student Health and underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company. The Plan meets all of the student health insurance standards developed by the American College Health Association.

The SHIP is an accident and sickness policy that:

• Provides extensive coverage at a reasonable cost for most on- or off-campus medical care from August 17th through August 16th of the following year.
• Provides coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, anywhere in the world.
• When plan members are in Ithaca, provides coordination of services by health services staff who know Cornell students and a preferred provider network that includes the local hospital. 
• Covers pre-existing medical conditions. 
• Guards against catastrophic expenses. 
• Continues coverage when students have to take a leave of absence.
• Meets or exceeds all F-1 and J-1 visa requirements. 
• Includes world-wide travel assistance and emergency air transportation services.
• Offers optional dental and vision plans for members.
• Provides convenient assistance with enrollment and claims submission through the Cornell Office of Student Health Insurance.

You may review the SHIP benefits online, choosing the “Student Connection” link, and then entering the Cornell Policy Number of 711115.

For more information about the SHIP, contact the Cornell University Office of Student Health Insurance.

Employee health insurance

Cornell's Office of Human Resource Benefits Programs has information about all of Cornell's employee insurance plans. Call 255-3936.