Health insurance in the United States is complicated—for citizens and non-citizens alike. And if you follow US national news, you know our health care system is the focus of passionate political, ethical, and economic debate. While many of us at Gannett are interested in and involved in efforts to change the US health care system, our primary commitment is to provide high quality services in a convenient location at a reasonable cost to Cornell students.

You may recognize some of these questions, commonly asked by international students about paying for health care and the Student Health Insurance Plan. We hope the answers will be helpful to you.

Q.   How does health insurance work in the US? 

A.   Health insurance usually provides coverage for a share of an individual's health care expenses, the person covers the rest. Some insurance plans use a "co-pay" or set fee; others use a percentage (e.g., in an 80-20 plan, the insurance company pays 80% of the cost, the individual pays 20%).

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a health insurance program featuring a "managed care" approach and is considered an excellent value. Like most health insurance plans in the US , SHIP provides coverage for illnesses and injuries; preventive or elective health care is not covered, except as specifically noted in benefit details (e.g., well-woman exams are covered). SHIP meets or exceeds all F-1 and J-1 visa requirements, as well as the health insurance standards developed by the American College Health Association.  Although the Student Health Insurance Plan provides coverage for services at Gannett, it is not a "Gannett" plan, but is provided by Aetna Student Health and is underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company.

Q.   How are Gannett services paid for? 

A.   Gannett receives approximately 60% of its funding from university allocation. The remaining portion of funding is generated from charges for services performed at the health center. Although any cost to students living on a tight budget may seem high, in fact Cornell subsidizes services to students that would be much more expensive in a private practice or hospital setting. (An appointment with a clinician for an upper respiratory infection that costs $10 at Gannett, would cost five to ten times that amount in the community; an appointment with a counselor that costs $10 at Gannett would cost 7 seven to twelve times that amount.) Cornell requires all students to carry health insurance to help them cover the health care expenses they incur at Gannett (beyond what is subsidized) and from providers of emergency and specialty services.

Q.   What health care expenses are students responsible for?

A.   Many Gannett visits involve only a $10 charge for enrolled students. Consultations with a triage nurse, visits with a clinical counselor, group counseling, health education services, and consultation with the on-call health care provider or counselor are provided at no charge.

Gannett charges fees for x-rays, lab tests, medications, physical therapy, some other services, and missed appointments, but many of these expenses may be covered by your health insurance plan.

Charges covered by SHIP will be submitted automatically, so you will only have to pay the $10 visit charge or other co-payments at the time of the visit, unless you have charges that are not covered. If you have other insurance, you will have to pay for services when you receive them, but we will provide a bill you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Fees at the time of the visit can be paid for with cash, personal check, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or Discover); during the academic year, students can apply any charges to their bursar bills.

Whenever you have questions about health care expenses at Gannett or elsewhere, Gannett's Business Services staff will be happy to assist you (607 255-7492).

For information about the Student Health Insurance Plan, contact the Cornell University Office of Student Health Insurance in Collegetown (607 255-6363).

Q.   What if a student cannot afford needed health care? 

A.   Please do not let financial concerns be a barrier to receiving needed health care. Talk with your health care provider or a member of the Gannett Business Services staff (607 255-7492) who will help you consider your options, maximize insurance reimbursement, defer fees, extend payment, or access financial assistance. Cornell's International Students and Scholars Office may also be able to provide assistance to international students (607 255-5243).