SHIP Benefits

When in the United States 

For students and dependents (age 19 and older) enrolled in the SHIP, Gannett Health Services is your primary care facility and, therefore, your first stop for health care.

• When you are in the Ithaca area and need health care (except in an emergency), you must begin at Gannett to receive the maximum benefit for services covered by the SHIP. Visit the Gannett web site at www.gannett.cornell.edu for more information or call Gannett at 607 255-5155.
  
• If you cannot be seen at Gannett and/or you would like to investigate other health care resources in the Ithaca area, visit www.aetna.com/docfind. Include the zip code of the area where services will be received and to select Aetna Standard Open Choice PPO as the health plan type. SHIP members will need a referral from Gannett to use these alternative resources.
• When you are outside of Ithaca, you can locate a provider using Aetna’s DocFind Service at www.aetna.com/docfind. Be sure to include the zip code of the area where services will be received and to select Aetna Standard Open Choice PPO as the health plan type.
• Graduate students in Geneva should review special guidance for seeking care.

For child dependents enrolled in the SHIP, your first step is to select a pediatrician from one of the following offices:

• Buttermilk Falls Pediatrics (two locations)
  1301 Trumansburg Road (607 272-6880) and
  22 Arrowwood Drive (607 257-5500)
• North East Pediatrics
  10 Graham Road (607 257-5958)

The providers at these offices can refer you to specialty care if needed. Please note: Gannett Health Services cannot serve as the primary care provider for individuals younger than 19 years of age.  

While out of the country (travel abroad) 

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provides medical coverage when you are outside of the United States. All SHIP benefits are available to you at the non-preferred care level. You are not required to pre-certify care provided while out of the country prior to receiving it. 

In most cases, you will have to pay for care at the time the service is provided. You should make sure to receive an itemized bill and a receipt. These must include the date of service, the dollar amount of the visit and the diagnosis. Submit them to: 

Aetna Student Health Claims Administrators
PO Box 15708
Boston, MA 02215 

SHIP will reimburse you for charges for covered benefits according to the non-preferred care benefit level minus any applicable co-payments. 

To contact the Aetna Student Health Claims Administrators, Inc. when you are outside of the United States, please call (617) 218-8400 (collect calls are accepted).