Dear Students, Families, and Other Supporters,
I hope you are enjoying a restful and rejuvenating summer break! I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and dates to be aware of pertaining to Ithaca College’s Student Health Insurance Plan for the 2024-25 academic year. For the 2024-25 academic year, Ithaca College is continuing to partner with Aetna Student Health to provide a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for students. University Health Plans also continues to partner with IC to manage the waiver and enrollment process. I encourage you to visit the Ithaca College University Health Plans website for more information regarding cost, coverage details, and additional considerations.
2024-25 Plan Update
Please note that there are some important changes to be aware of regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year. Beginning this year, the plan will now be billed on a per-semester basis. The cost of coverage for the Fall 2024 semester will be $1,276 and will extend coverage from August 10, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The cost of coverage for the Spring 2025 semester will be $1,959 with coverage extending from January 1, 2025, through August 9, 2025.
Eligibility Requirement
To remain eligible to receive coverage under the Student Health Insurance Plan, students must be actively enrolled in academic courses at Ithaca College during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters in order to ensure no disruption to their insurance coverage.
Leave of Absence
If a student decides to take a school-approved leave of absence, coverage will remain in force through the end of the period for which payment has been received (ex. If a student elects to take a leave of absence during the Fall 2024 semester, coverage will remain in effect through December 31, 2024).
Withdrawal
Students who elect to withdraw from Ithaca College within 31 days after their Student Health Insurance Plan policy takes effect will no longer be eligible to receive coverage under the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students who withdraw within this 31-day period will have their coverage terminated retroactively and will receive a refund for any premiums collected (ex. A student who withdraws from Ithaca College during the Spring 2025 semester prior to February 1 will no longer be eligible for coverage under SHIP during the January 1 - August 9, 2025 period). Students who withdraw from Ithaca College more than 31 days after their policy takes effect will continue to have coverage through the end of the period for which payment has been received; no refund will be provided.
Students who take a leave of absence or withdraw from Ithaca College during the Fall 2024 semester and do not enroll to take classes inthe Spring 2025 semester will not be eligible to remain in coverage under the Student Health Insurance Plan during the Spring 2025 semester period (January 1 – August 9, 2025).
Reminders and Important Dates
As a reminder, it is required that all matriculated undergraduate and graduate students attending Ithaca College during the upcoming Fall 2024 semester have comprehensive coverage in Tompkins County under a valid health insurance plan. In order to ensure that all students meet this coverage requirement, all students will be initially charged for the Ithaca College Student Health Insurance Plan. Students can expect to see acharge for the Fall 2024 semester premium appear on their account in July.
Students wishing to opt out of the plan will have the opportunity to waive coverage by completing an online form made available on the Ithaca College University Health Plans website and supplying evidence that they are insured with a plan that provides comparable coverage. Students who successfully complete the waiver form during the waiver period and provide proof of valid coverage will have a credit applied to their student account equal to the amount charged for the health insurance.
Please be aware that each academic year is a stand-alone enrollment/waiver process. Continuing IC students who elected to waive Student Health Insurance Plan coverage during the 2023-24 academic year and would like to do so again for the upcoming Fall 2024 semester WILL need to complete the waiver process again. Concurrently, if you are a student who was enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan during the past academic year and plan to re-enroll in the plan during the upcoming Fall 2024 semester, it is strongly recommended that you complete the enrollment form as soon as possible once it becomesavailableto ensure you do not experience a gap in coverage.
The following are important dates to be aware of during the insurance enrollment/waiver period:
- July 10, 2024: Enrollment and Waiver Process Opens (Forms Become Available on UHP website)
- August 9, 2024: Final Day of Coverage for Students Enrolled in SHIP during 2023-24 academic year
- August 10, 2024: First Day of Coverage for Students Enrolled in SHIP for the Fall 2024 Semester
- September 15, 2024: Deadline to Submit Waiver Form to Decline SHIP Coverage
If you have questions regarding the waiver/enrollment process, eligibility, general plan benefits, or additional questions, please contact University Health Plans at (833) 250-8996 or by email at info@univhealthplans.com.
I anticipate sharing another reminder message in July once the SHIP enrollment and waiver period opens on Wednesday, July 10.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Solt Prunty
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life