Student Health Program
The Student Health Program for full-time students has two parts: 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:
- Visits with physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses at the University Health Service (UHS)
- Short-term psychotherapy at the University Counseling Center (UCC)
- Health education services
- Public health/disease prevention programs
The cost of the mandatory health fee is posted on the UHS website.
Health Insurance
In addition to the mandatory health fee, all full-time students must have health insurance. Students can enroll in the University-sponsored health insurance plan offered through UHS or remain on their own health insurance.
Each year, all full-time students must complete the online health insurance enrollment/waiver process before the start of classes to indicate their health insurance coverage. Health insurance generally covers the cost of services such as hospitalization, surgical procedures, and diagnostic laboratory tests and x-rays, which the mandatory health fee does not cover. The benefits covered by health insurance will vary depending on your insurance plan.
The cost of the health insurance offered through University Health Service changes each year and can be found on the UHS website. Students who choose to remain on their own insurance plan can waive this portion of the fee if their insurance plan meets University standards.
Insurance Options for Married Students
Due to the high cost of health care, we recommended 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.