Required Student Health Insurance
Colgate University requires that all full-time students have health insurance that provides adequate coverage in the Hamilton, N.Y. area. This requirement is fulfilled in one of two ways:
- Enrolling in Colgate’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). (Students who reside outside of the United States are automatically enrolled in the Colgate plan*.)
- Waiving out of the Colgate student health insurance plan by demonstrating comparable or better family or individual plan coverage (domestic students only*).
*Students who reside outside of the United States are automatically enrolled in the Colgate plan. There is no option to waive out of the Colgate plan utilizing international health insurance plans. Further health information for international students can be found here.
The coverage period of your health insurance plan must be from August 1 to July 31 each academic year, and must provide “in-network” coverage within a 50-mile radius of Hamilton, NY. Sufficient and confirmed coverage is essential for any health care services that may be required beyond what is available/provided by Colgate’s Student Health Services.
If you intend to submit a waiver out of the Colgate plan, we strongly encourage you to carefully check the details of your personal insurance plan to ensure it will provide coverage in the Hamilton, New York area. Not all insurance policies cover students outside their local “network” area. In particular, state-based Medicaid does not cover students outside their state of residence. Such coverages will not be approved for waiver.
Each academic year (even if your insurance coverage remains unchanged), Colgate requires all domestic* students to complete an insurance decision form by August 1 choosing one of two options.
- Confirm enrollment in Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This option will officially activate your insurance with SHIP. Please allow 7 to 10 days for activation.
- Waive enrollment in the SHIP plan by submitting proof of comparable coverage through another carrier (domestic students only*). Colgate will record personal coverage details as part of the student’s electronic health record.
The annual enroll/waive decision process is administered by Colgate’s health insurance broker Haylor, Freyer & Coon (Haylor). The enroll/waive decision form, as well as additional information on the plan, is available on the Haylor website. The enroll/waive form is available each academic year starting this first week of June, with a completion deadline of August 1.
If no action is taken by August 1, students are automatically enrolled in the Colgate plan for the academic year, and responsible for the annual premium charged to the Colgate student account. We strongly recommend actively enrolling for more streamlined and timely confirmation of enrollment and service.
*Students who reside outside of the United States are automatically enrolled in the Colgate plan. There is no option to waive out of the Colgate plan utilizing international health insurance plans. Further health information for international students can be found here.
For questions or assistance on the enroll/waive decision process, please contact Haylor (student@haylor.com, 866-535-0456) or Colgate’s Office of Student Accounts (stuaccounts@colgate.edu, 315-228-4817).
The Colgate Student Health Plan provides coverage for a full calendar year (from August 1 to July 31) and is not limited to services in the Hamilton, NY area.
The Colgate plan carrier is Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
SHIP Plan Features
- An unlimited policy year maximum
- Low annual deductibles
- In-Network services generally covered at a 90% preferred allowance
- In-Network Physician Office Visits covered at 100% after a $15 copay
- Students will be able to locate in-network providers whether, at home, school, or throughout the country through the SHIP Find A Doctor website
- Access to online behavioral health support
- Prescription drug coverage with low copayments
- Coordination with Colgate Student Health Services
- Worldwide Coverage including medical evacuation, repatriation & travel assistance services
SHIP Plan Details
Please view the Frequently Asked Questions and Plan Highlights sections of the Haylor website.
Annual Premium
All students are automatically assessed the fee for the SHIP annual health insurance premium during the fall semester billing in July. If a waiver from the plan is completed, and approved, the SHIP charge will be reversed from your student account. (If the waiver is processed prior to fall term billing, the charge and reversal activity will not appear on the student account).
Colgate Plan Administrator
Haylor, Freyer & Coon (Haylor), is Colgate’s partner to administer student enrollment in or waiver out of the Colgate plan.
300 South State Street, Suite 1000
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 866-535-0456
Email: student@haylor.com
Colgate does not offer a student dental insurance plan. Students interested in dental coverage may utilize Guardian Direct to consider dental coverage options.
For specific questions or guidance with selecting a plan, please contact Guardian Direct at 866-569-9900.
Students wishing to make changes in their insurance coverage during the academic year should contact the student accounts office at 315-228-4817.
Unfortunately, with the overwhelming number of different insurance carriers and plans represented by our geographically diverse student body, we are unable to directly bill insurance companies for services offered through Student Health Services. However, in those circumstances where services are provided that result in an additional charge, students have the option to pay for the services and receive a written receipt that may be provided to their insurance carrier for reimbursement.
Claim forms are available at the Student Health Services or may be filed from the broker's website listed above. Insurance claims cannot be processed online.
Insurance FAQs
All Colgate students must have medical insurance to cover services provided outside the university’s Student Health Services, such as:
- Referrals to specialty providers (orthopedics, dermatology, etc.)
- Lab tests sent to a commercial laboratory
- X-rays and other imaging tests
- Prescription medications
- Urgent care and emergency room visits
- Hospitalization
For students with insurance coverage provided by a spouse, parent or guardian whose home is outside the Hamilton, New York area, it is very important to check the policy thoroughly for coverage of health care services while “out of network”. If the plan does not cover “out of network” services, we strongly encourage to purchase the Colgate plan.
NOTE: State-based insurance plans such as Medicaid do not provide coverage outside the home state.
Make sure you:
- Know the name of your insurance company
- Have your own insurance card (or a copy) and bring it to every Student Health Services appointment (we will need this information if it becomes necessary to send a lab test out or need to make a referral to a specialist or another community provider.)
- Know the basics of your medical insurance plan, especially regarding any out of network coverage
- Know how to obtain claim forms if needed
Fortunately, most college-age young adults are healthy and we sincerely hope that remains the case while you are at Colgate. However, our medical team sees healthy students every day who have sustained an injury or developed an illness that may require prescription medication, a referral to a local specialist, or even hospitalization. Inadequate insurance can be a barrier to appropriate care while you are away from home. Selecting an effective health insurance plan is an important first step in ensuring your health and well-being while pursuing your studies at Colgate.
For all injuries occurring after Thursday, August 1, 2024 Colgate University has an insurance policy in place to assist NCAA varsity student-athletes with medical bills attributable to injuries which are the direct result of official intercollegiate athletic activities. This policy is a secondary insurance policy and can only consider billing after a student's primary has paid to its fullest. After Colgate's secondary policy has paid to its limit any remaining balances are the responsibility of the student.
For additional information regarding injuries occurring prior to Thursday, August 1, 2024, please see the athletic department's Athletic Medical Billing Policies and Procedures.
Medical care at Student Health Services is strictly confidential.
The privacy and confidentiality of your health record are protected by law. Colgate University’s health records are maintained through a secure electronic health records (EHR) system and are completely separate from all other University records. Student Health Services will not release any of your health information without your written permission, except in the following instances:
- In the event of your treatment at Community Memorial Hospital or another hospital or urgent care center, the community provider and Student Health Services will share relevant health information as needed for continuity of care.
- If, in our judgment, releasing information is necessary to protect you or others from a serious threat to health or safety.
- If it is authorized or required by law.
Similarly, Student Health Services does not routinely share information about your care with parents, faculty, or deans without your permission. Health information will be discussed with parents and faculty only at your request and with your written permission.
If you have any concerns about the confidentiality of our services, please speak with one of your healthcare providers.
- Be treated with respect, dignity and consideration without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status.
- Have all aspects of your care explained to you in understandable terms and any questions answered.
- Discuss treatment options and their effectiveness, possible risks and side effects.
- Participate in decisions about your care and to give your informed consent to any diagnostic procedure.
- Have access to resources for health education regarding wellness/self-care and prevention of illness.
- Be assured of the confidential treatment of disclosures and records and to have the opportunity to approve or refuse the release of such information except when release of specific information is required by law or is necessary to safeguard you or the university community.
- Refuse any medical treatment or procedure and to be informed of the consequences of such a decision.
- Receive information and/or guidance for continuing care to maintain optimal health.
- Receive appropriate referrals to other providers and services.
- An explanation of any financial obligations or charges.
- Discuss concerns about the care you receive.
- Review your medical record with a clinician.
- Refuse to participate in any research project.
- Understand and use these rights.
- Seek medical attention promptly.
- Provide accurate and complete information about your past health history, that of your family, current status, relevant personal habits, and any other information pertinent to the public health of the campus community.
- Inform your care provider of any changes in your health status that could affect your treatment.
- Assist health care providers to compile a complete medical record by authorizing the Student Health Services to obtain necessary medical information from appropriate sources.
- Ask questions and get clarification regarding your condition or any suggested treatment.
- Ask about anything you do not understand.
- Follow the prescribed treatment plan and discuss any desired changes.
- Be considerate of other patients and Student Health Services staff.
- Treat Student Health Services’ staff with courtesy and respect.
- Be prompt for scheduled appointments.
- Cancel appointments if you are unable to keep them.
- Accept financial responsibility for any charges you have incurred.