If you maintain other health insurance coverage that is equal to or greater than that of the Basic Plan, you may choose to waive the NYU-sponsored plans. Your insurance plan must meet the following University criteria:
- The insurance company must be headquartered and operating in the U.S., with a U.S. claims address and customer service telephone number.
- The insurance coverage must remain in effect from August 21, 2009 through August 20, 2010.
- The plan must provide inpatient hospitalization benefits in the New York City area including mental health benefits.
- The plan must provide outpatient benefits in the New York City area (including office visits, outpatient mental health benefits and laboratory and radiology procedures). Coverage for emergency only care does not satisfy the requirement.
- The maximum benefit payable under the insurance plan must be at least US$250,000 per condition. For F-1 and J-1 visa students: the insurance plan must include coverage for medical evacuation of at least US $15,000 per yr; repatriation of remains of at least US$7,500 per yr; and a deductible not to exceed US$500 per yr.
To waive:
- Review your current plan benefits (you may need to contact your insurance carrier)
- Complete the waiver process online.
Things to Consider Before You Waive
Does your health insurance plan provide:
- Coverage for treatment by any provider in Manhattan, including non-emergency treatment?
- Access to healthcare providers with out-of-network benefits?
- Low out-of-pocket expenses; no annual deductible?
- Coverage for hospitalization?
- Coverage for major medical illness/injury?
- Outpatient benefits, particularly in New York City?
- Coverage for physical therapy/rehabilitation services?
- Pharmacy benefits?
- Worldwide coverage?
- Travel Assistance Services?
- Mental Health Benefits?
If you answered "No" to any of these questions, we recommend that you enroll either in the Basic or Comprehensive Plans.
If you plan to waive
We encourage you to complete the online waiver process as soon as possible, even before you register for classes, to avoid having the health insurance fee appear on your Bursar's Statement of Account.
If you missed the deadline
If you had extenuating circumstances that caused you to miss the appropriate deadline for waiving coverage under the NYU plans, you may file a Petition to Change Insurance Status Form, available at Student Health Insurance Services at SHC.
The petition requires a detailed explanation of the reason for missing the deadline and will be reviewed by the plan administrator, Consolidated Health Plan, on a case-by-case basis.
If your petition is approved, you will be billed directly for any medical services already received at SHC, 726 Broadway, during the entire policy period for which you waived coverage.
There is no option to waive the Basic or Comprehensive Plan if claims for service outside of SHC have been filed. The student will remain covered and will be responsible for payment of the premium.
Students will have the opportunity to file a late petition only once during their academic career at NYU. Additional petitions will not be considered. Call SHC Student Health Insurance Services at 212-443-1020 for more information.
Other Information about the Waiver Option
You must complete the Student Health Insurance online waiver process at the start of each academic year beginning in the Fall.
Once you have completed the process, the waiver will apply as of the effective date of insurance for the term. In some cases, the waiver will be retroactive (e.g. if you submit a waiver on September 15th, you will not be covered for any services that were rendered on or after August 21st of that year).
The online waiver process must be completed by the applicable deadline. Requests to waive insurance through communications with any other University offices, including the Bursar, will not be processed.
You cannot waive over the phone or by fax. All waivers will be processed online.
If you have questions about the online waiver process, contact Consolidated Health Plan Customer Service Department toll-free at 877-373-1170 or SHC Student Health Insurance Services at 212-443-1020.
If you waive the NYU-sponsored plans and then find yourself without insurance due to divorce, loss of employment, termination of coverage due to age, or similar reason, you may be eligible to enroll in an NYU-sponsored plan by submitting a Petition to Change Form to SHC Student Health Insurance Services. Coverage will become effective on the date the petition form is accepted by SHC Student Health Insurance Services, or the day after your private insurance plan terminates, whichever is later. You will be required to pay the premium for the entire semester, regardless of when you enroll.
If you plan to waive the NYU-sponsored Plans
Planning to use private health insurance? Use the checklist below to ensure that your current plan will meet your healthcare needs during your academic career at NYU:
- Is SHC considered "out-of-network" for your insurance plan? Understand the extent and limitations of your private health insurance plan before you waive.
- Is your insurance plan regionally based? Will it provide coverage or reimbursement outside of your regional area or in New York City?
- Are you planning to use Medicaid? Please note that Medicaid plans vary from state to state. Contact your provider for coverage details.
- The NYU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plans are underwritten by Nationwide Insurance. SHC is not a participating provider in the MultiPlan Provider Network.
Call Patient Accounts at 212-443-1010 to see if SHC participates in your insurance plan. Depending on the plan, payment may be required at the time of visit or arrangements can be made for billing.
NYU Employees
- Students who are also employed by NYU and are eligible for health insurance benefits as part of their employment will be waived automatically from the NYU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plans. Those who choose to be enrolled in a student plan should follow the voluntary enrollment process.
- NYU School of Medicine or NYU Medical Center employees must follow the online waiver process in order to be waived from the NYU student plans.