Understanding Cornell's Student Health Plan (SHP) Benefits
Cornell University prioritizes the health and well-being of its students, recognizing that access to quality healthcare is crucial for academic success. To that end, the university mandates that all matriculated, degree-seeking students maintain health insurance coverage. Student Health Benefits is the department entrusted with ensuring that all Cornell students meet the university's health insurance requirements. They also manage and provide support for those enrolled in Cornell's Student Health Plan (SHP), Dental Plan, and Vision Plan. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Cornell's Student Health Plan (SHP) benefits, including eligibility, coverage details, and options for students who are graduating or taking a leave of absence.
Who is Eligible for SHP?
Cornell’s Student Health Plan (SHP) is exclusively available to enrolled WCM students and their eligible dependents. The SHP plan year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Core Coverage Components of SHP
To meet Cornell University requirements, health insurance plans must encompass a broad range of benefits. SHP includes coverage for:
- Inpatient (overnight hospital) care
- Emergency and urgent care
- Specialist and outpatient care
- Diagnostic imaging and testing
- Mental health and substance abuse care
In addition to these core components, the plan must also adhere to specific standards:
- Be active for the entire academic year, or until the end of your program.
- Does not have member coinsurance levels higher than 40% in the zip code where the student is attending school. (The zip code for the Ithaca campus is 14850. The zip code for the Cornell Tech campus is 10044.)
- Has unlimited annual and lifetime benefits for the 10 essential health benefits (as defined by the ACA).
Situations Where Alternative Insurance Plans May Not Suffice
It's important to recognize that not all insurance plans meet Cornell’s stringent requirements. Examples of plans that will not receive an approved waiver include:
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- Medicaid plans that do not provide comprehensive coverage at your campus location.
- Regionally limited EPO and HMO plans that do not provide access to comprehensive care where you are attending school.
- New York State Essential Plans 3 or 4.
- International travel plans.
Dental and Vision Insurance
Cornell University offers voluntary Dental and Vision insurance for all registered students to supplement students' health insurance coverage. Dependents of eligible students (spouses, domestic partners, and children) may also enroll. All current students are eligible to enroll in either the dental plan, the vision plan, or both regardless of SHP enrollment status. Dental insurance provides access to basic preventative services like cleanings and routine check-ups. Dental insurance also lowers the cost on more expensive procedures like fillings and crowns. Vision insurance helps you save on eye wear and eye care. Vision insurance provides an annual exam.
Dental and vision coverage do not automatically renew-you must enroll in coverage every year during the open enrollment period. The deadline to enroll in dental and/or vision coverage for all returning students and for new students beginning in the fall is 8/31/25. All payments are final. Once enrolled, there is no option to cancel either the dental or vision plans and obtain a refund.
Special Considerations for Ithaca and Cornell Tech Students
Ithaca Campus
Ithaca is a centrally-isolated and rural region of upstate New York. If you plan to opt-out/waive SHP coverage, check with your current health insurance provider to learn about coverage levels and providers in the Ithaca area (zip code 14850). You may need to use out-of-network benefits in Ithaca if your insurance plan does not have Cayuga Health as a participating or in-network provider. Cayuga Medical Center, operated by Cayuga Health/Centralus Health, is the only hospital in Ithaca and is the parent organization for many primary and specialty medical providers in the Ithaca area. The Cayuga Health System does not accept some common health insurance networks, including United Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente.
Some insurance plans do not meet the requirements listed at the top of this page, within a reasonable distance of Cornell's Ithaca campus and will not be approved for a waiver.
Cornell Tech Campus
Students at Cornell Tech must meet the same 5 insurance requirements either by enrolling in SHP or, if eligible, opt-out/waive SHP coverage. employer-sponsored insurance plans that offer in-network comprehensive coverage in NYC. Search for participating providers in the NYC Metropolitan area, in zip code 10044, or in New York County.
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What Happens Upon Graduation or Separation from WCM?
If you are graduating or separating from WCM, you (and your dependents) are no longer eligible for coverage from Weill Cornell Medicine. The coverage will expire on the last day of the month in which you exit/terminate/graduate. Your coverage terminiation date will depend on your individual program dates. If you graduate from the MD program in the spring semester, your SHP coverage will end June 30. If you graduate from the PhD program, your SHP coverage will end on the last day of your stipend termination month.
If you paid out of pocket for your coverage, the insurance charges will be prorated and you will be reimbursed for any credit left on your account. As addresses are subject to change, it is strongly recommended that you sign up for direct deposit to receive the credits directly to your bank account.
To be eligible for another insurance you will need to submit to them a 'Verification of Coverage' letter which includes your enrollment termination date for the plan. This letter is available through the 'Student Health Plan (SHP)' link on the Financial Aid & Billing tab of LEARN. The letter is available on the Plan Summary box for the specific plan year.
Navigating Health Insurance After Graduation in New York State
New York State residents should be aware that the state does not allow the purchase of short-term insurance plans on the exchange. (A short-term plan is a health plan for a limited number of months.) If you are seeing insurance through nystateofhealth.ny.gov, you will need to enroll in a full-year plan. If you gain employment after enrolling in a full-year plan, typically you will be eligible to enroll in the company’s group insurance policy and can cancel the health exchange plan. Alternatively, you may choose to retain your purchased plan and not opt into your employer group plan.
Graduates will need to provide proof of residency (e.g. a local address, prior year tax information, and social security number) to purchase health insurance on the exchange. Health insurance purchased through the exchange CANNOT be secured in advanced of the SHP plan end date. To purchase insurance via the exchange prior to your termination/graduation date, you will need to terminate your SHP coverage. All plans on the exchange have tax credit eligibility depending on the applicant’s income. Some income thresholds will make the applicant eligible for a Medicaid or an Essential plan. Both of these plan types have the lowest cost-shares associated with the plan in recognition of the limited access to disposable income.
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