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Student Health Insurance Plan Information for the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students

Health Insurance is Required

Because of the high cost of medical care, it is Cornell University policy that all students, including participants in the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students, have adequate health insurance.

We hope that you will have a successful and healthy experience at Cornell this summer. Having quality health insurance will give you the peace of mind that you will get the care you need in the event of unanticipated illness or injury.

Please review carefully any plan you might consider to make sure it will provide adequate coverage for you while you are enrolled in the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students.

All students are eligible to use Cornell's health center, Gannett Health Services, whether they have the SHIP or private health insurance. 


Cornell's Requirements

Cornell requires every student to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), unless you can demonstrate that you have a health insurance plan that meets Cornell's requirements.

In order to waive the SHIP, your health insurance plan must:

  1. Be provided by a company licensed to do business in the United States, with a U.S. claims payment office and a U.S. phone number.
  2. Provide coverage in the Ithaca area for outpatient and inpatient medical care. (A policy that provides coverage in the Ithaca area on an "emergency care only" basis does not meet this requirement.)
  3. Provide coverage in the Ithaca area for outpatient and inpatient mental health care.
  4. Have a maximum benefit of at least $500,000 per year.
  5. Remain in force as long as you are a registered student at Cornell.
  6. Cover pre-existing conditions. 

 If your plan does not meet these requirements, or you are uninsured, you must enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan.   

Note:  Enrollment in the SHIP is mandatory for international students participating in the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students. 


Cornell's Student Health Insurance Plan

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is designed with the special needs of students in mind. This includes the significant population of students who are on campus participating in summer programs. 


Features of the SHIP

The SHIP is an accident and sickness policy that:

  • meets all of Cornell’s requirements for health insurance
  • provides extensive coverage at a reasonable cost for most on- or off-campus medical care
  • guards against catastrophic expenses
  • covers preexisting medical conditions
  • provides coverage twenty-four hours a day, anywhere in the world and, most importantly, in the Ithaca area (care in Ithaca and at Cornell may be considered “out-of-network" for many managed care programs)
  • provides medical evacuation/repatriation coverage
  • provides convenient insurance assistance, close to campus in Collegetown

International students should know that the SHIP is Visa compliant, meeting and exceeding U.S. Customs requirements for student visas.


Detailed SHIP Information

The SHIP Member's Guide (pdf) provides many more details about SHIP benefits. As you look through it, you will realize pretty quickly that it was written primarily for Cornell students who are on campus full-time during the academic-year. The premium and eligibility information in the Member's Guide does not apply to the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students.

However, several items detailed on this website do apply to the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students—and to you, should you decide to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan.

  • information about the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) itself
  • the chart detailing SHIP benefits and coverage
  • the description of Gannett Health Services and health care provided for students
  • contact information for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and Gannett Health Services.

We apologize for your inconvenience in having to sort through what does and does not apply to you, but we believe you will find it well worth the effort to read this material.  It will help you think through your needs and make a decision that will provide you with the best protection possible in case of illness or injury while at Cornell this summer.


Plan Premium for Leadership Program Vet Students

For a premium of $358.50, the Student Health Insurance Plan will provide you with coverage from June 2 to August 8, 2008.


SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Form

All participants in the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students are required to complete this form.

Leadership Program for Vet Students (Student from US) (pdf)
Leaderhsip Program for Vet Students (International Students) (pdf)

Please return your form and payment (in U.S. currency) no later than

  • April 14, 2008 (International Students)
  • May 20, 2008 (Domestic Students)

and send to: 

Leadership Program for Veterinary Students
S2058 Schurman Hall                            
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853