Student Health Insurance Options

The college strongly recommends that students purchase health insurance. For students needing health insurance, information is available in Health Services (307 North.)

To learn more about Health Insurance and what plans you might qualify for, visit CUNY Health Services and click on "Click Here! To Learn About Your Health Insurance Options."

EmblemHealth – All Matriculated CUNY students taking 6 or more credits can purchase EmblemHealth/CUNY Student Health Insurance. The next opportunity to enroll is Spring 2013.

For information about the insurance program, review their brochure (PDF). (Note: This program was formerly referred to as GHI/CUNY Student Health Insurance; the plan is the same, GHI is now part of the EmblemHealth company.)

Free/Low Cost Health Insurance

Health Insurance Providers will be on campus to answer your questions and enroll you, if eligible, for free or low cost health insurance. Click here for the Spring 2013 schedule, so that you can visit and compare the various companies. Click here for a list of the documents needed to determine eligibility and enroll you in the insurance program.

Find out if you or your family qualify for Medicaid, Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus using HealthStat's on-line health insurance pre-screening tool.

Family Health Plus – Offers comprehensive health insurance to New York adults, ages 19 to 64 who are not eligible for Medicaid.

Healthy NY – Assists small businesses, sole proprietors and the working uninsured with obtaining health insurance.

Child Health Plus – Offers comprehensive health insurance to New York children under 19 without health care.

Health Plan One – Offers instant quotes and customer service to help someone tailor a plan that fits their specific needs.

Stu-Dent – Dental Insurance for Students only.

International Student Health Insurance

1. EmblemHealth plan (described above)
2. Travel Insurance Service
3. ISP - International Student Protection
   
4. ISO 
5. HTH
   
   

Health Insurance Terms to know:

Benefits – Health care services provided under terms of a contract with a managed care organization.

Co-payments – A fixed payment that a patient pays (usually $5-$25) each time s/he visits a health plan doctor or receives covered services.

Coverage – The type of insurance and extent of benefits available through health insurance companies.

Deductible – A specified amount of money an insured patient must pay each year before the insurer will begin covering the cost of care.

Facilitated Enrollment – Assistance provided to families applying for Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid, by representative of health plans, community-based organizations and health care providers.

Fee-for-Service – The traditional method for paying for medical services. Doctors charge a fee for each service provided and the insurer pays all or part of that fee.

Health Plan – An organization that acts as an insurer for an enrolled population.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – An organization that provides health care in return for pre-set monthly payments. Most HMOs provide care through a network of doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals that their members must use in order to receive care.

Lock In – A contractual provision by which members except in cases of urgent or emergency need, are required to receive all their care from the network health care providers.

Managed Care Organization (MCO) – These are organizations licensed by the state, which arrange primary care and other medically necessary services at a prepaid rate instead of billing each individual service. Managed care plans use a network of providers to promote timely access to medical services.

Primary Care Provider (PCP) – The PCP is an internist, pediatrician, family doctor or other health care provider who serves as the initial interface between a patient and the medical care system. The PCP services as the patient’s agent, arranges for and coordinates appropriate medical care and other necessary and appropriate referrals.

Provider Network – The doctor, clinics, health centers, medical group practices, hospitals and other providers that managed care plans have selected and contracted with to provide care for their members.

Premium – The fee a policyholder pays to an insurance company for coverage. This fee is usually paid out monthly.

Recertification or Renewal – The annual verification process of a member’s eligibility (age, residency, citizenship/immigration status, income and resources) for the public health insurance program in which she or he is enrolled.

Sliding Scale – The system of charging fees based on the patients ability to pay for health care received. Often the patient’s household size and income are used to determine the amount of fees charged.

Disclaimer: Hunter College is not responsible for any bills acquired by any of these agencies listed above. The identification of these an agency does not imply approval, warrant the accuracy of any information, or endorse any opinions expressed by any of these outside organizations. This list is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen.