Graduate Students

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provides the same benefits for Cornell graduate students at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva that it provides for students on the Ithaca campus.  

We understand that, while you may choose to get some of your health care needs met at Gannett Health Services in Ithaca, you may also need health care in Geneva for both routine and emergency care.  

• To learn more about services available to you at or through Gannett Health Services, visit the Gannett website. Phone numbers for nearby pharmacies and Geneva General Hospital are listed there.
  
• To learn more about the coverage provided to you through the SHIP, please look around this web site and review the SHIP Member's Guide. The SHIP is designed to provide health insurance coverage for its members in Geneva, Ithaca, and all over the world. 

Insurance provisions for grad students in Geneva  

As you know, the SHIP is managed by Aetna Student Health and underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company. As a SHIP member, you have access to Aetna Navigator®, your secure member website, packed with personalized claims and health information.  

At this website, using Docfind®, you can find the names of health care professionals and facilities in the Geneva area (or anywhere you live or travel for study, work, or pleasure) that participate in SHIP.  

In Area, In Network Providers  

The providers and facilites on the DocFind® site who are located in the Geneva Zip code of 14456 are defined as In Area, In Network Providers. This means claims from these providers and facilities will be paid at 100%, after your applicable SHIP co-pays and deductibles.  

Providers and facilities include Geneva General Hospital, Primary Care providers, Specialists, and Mental Health providers.  

To access all the participating providers in the Geneva area, please use Docfind® and type in zip code 14456.  

SHIP copayments are the same whether you go to participating providers in Ithaca or Geneva.  

Gannett Health Services student visit charge

All Cornell students can see a Gannett Health Services provider for a $10 student visit charge, regardless of what health insurance plan they have. This is a Gannett Health Services fee, not a SHIP copayment, or other insurance-related fee.  

If you wish to be seen at Gannett, transportation between Geneva and Ithaca may be possible via the use of a car provided by the Station (NYSAES). Patient parking spaces are also available for those who are able to find their own transportation to Gannett. View Gannett's special information for Geneva Students.  

Accessing primary care medical and counseling services at Gannett is not always an option for or the choice of enrolled students whose work takes them away from Ithaca, including those in Geneva. Relying on Aetna providers only, you may have more out-of-pocket expenses than students who can go to Gannett. Some students in Geneva have raised questions and concerns about this. Several University departments and committees are reviewing this complex issue. We will provide more information to Geneva students as more is understood about both the possibilities and limitations.  

More information

Communicating about insurance benefits is complex. While brochures and web information are available, they may not be enough. Cornell University Office of Student Health Insurance staff members want to help you understand your benefits and access the health care you need, when and where you need it. Please contact our office by phone or e-mail for information and support. Or come meet us when we are in Geneva to provide an orientation to the SHIP specifically for grad students at NYSAES.