Student Health Program
All full-time students participate in the Student Health Program, which includes the mandatory health fee and health insurance.
Mandatory Health Fee
The mandatory health fee, which is paid by all full-time students through their tuition billing statement, covers the cost of:
- Primary care visits with physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses at the University Health Service (UHS)
- Full range of primary care services provided by the University Health Service (See Services for Full-time Students more information about services offered.)
- Visits with UHS psychiatrists for assessment and medication management (with a referral from a UHS primary care provider or a UCC therapist)
- A comprehensive initial assessment, an individualized treatment plan, and support to put such a plan into action provided by the University Counseling Center (UCC) on an individual, couples, or group basis
- UHS physician and UCC mental health professional on call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
- Health education and health promotion services provided by the UHS Health Promotion Office
- Public health and disease prevention programs
The cost of the mandatory health fee is posted on the UHS website and on the Bursar's website.
Health Insurance
In addition to the mandatory health fee, all full-time students must have health insurance coverage for services such as visits to specialists, hospitalization, surgical procedures, diagnostic laboratory tests, x-rays, athletic injuries, flu shots, immunizations, physical therapy, and prescription medications. These services are not covered by the mandatory health fee.
The University Health Service offers the UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna). Check “View Plan Details” for a list of benefits and a list of exclusions. There are no deductibles with this plan. The annual premium is listed on the UHS website and Bursar's website.
Students are required to either enroll in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) or waive this plan if their health insurance plan meets University Insurance Criteria. All full-time students must complete the Online Health Insurance Process every year to make the insurance selection. Requests to waive the UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) may be audited to verify coverage. If the student’s plan does not meet the requirements, the student will be automatically enrolled in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna). International-based insurance plans often do not meet University criteria. See “Insurance with an International-based Company” below for more information.
If you have questions about health insurance, you can write to the UHS Insurance Advisors at insurance@uhs.rochester.edu.
Insurance Options for Students with Dependents
Due to the high cost of health care, we recommend that students have health insurance coverage for their families who are with them in Rochester. Students who enroll in the University-sponsored insurance can also enroll their spouse and dependent children. Spouses who enroll in the insurance plan must also pay the mandatory health fee, which covers their visits to the University Health Service and the University Counseling Center.
The cost for your spouse and dependent(s) change yearly and can be found on the UHS website. Students with children may want to check Healthy New York, a program available for residents of New York State who meet eligibility criteria.
International Students
All non-immigrant international students and their families who are in the United States with them must comply with immigration requirements and University policies governing health insurance. See the UHS website for more information.