Columbia Health
Phone: 212-854-2284
For 24/7 Support:
Urgent Medical Concerns: 212-854-7426
Urgent Mental Health Concerns: 212-854-2878
Confidential resource at Sexual Violence Request: 212-854-4357 (HELP)
Email: health@columbia.edu
Website: health.columbia.edu
Patient Portal: https://secure.health.columbia.edu/
View hours and locations: www.health.columbia.edu/content/hours-and-locations
Schedule an appointment or access drop-in services and same-day care:
Overview
Columbia Health provides extensive on-campus and virtual healthcare programs, resources, and services for students while they are enrolled at the University. Columbia Health is insurance agnostic and supports in person and online students. For medical and mental health care, Columbia Health also works with the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan (or an accepted, comparable plan) to meet your healthcare needs and help all students achieve personal and academic success. All Columbia Health staff are confidential resources and Columbia Health is nationally accredited.
All full-time and international students have access to Columbia Health through the mandatory full-time Columbia Health and Related Services Fee (HRSF). They are also required to have health insurance that meets University requirements while enrolled. To learn more about this requirement, view the Student Health Insurance section.
Part or half-time students also pay a mandatory, reduced HRSF based on the number of registered credits. This fee provides access to a range of programs, resources, and services. Part-time students wishing to access all of Columbia Health’s services can opt to pay the full-time HRSF or enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan, which will require payment of the full-time HRSF.
Columbia Health expects all incoming students to complete the Student Health History Form on the Patient Portal (Medical Clearances section) prior to their arrival at Columbia University. It is completely confidential and becomes part of a student’s health record. The form should include any medical information that is pertinent to ongoing care, particularly around current treatment and prescriptions. Columbia Health ensures the privacy of student information in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA, and Univeristy policies.
Benefits and Services of Columbia Health
Columbia Health comprises six departments staffed by a diverse group of highly-trained college health professionals to meet students’ health needs whether they are on campus or studying virtually. A summary of key areas is provided below. Please visit health.columbia.edu for more information
Medical Services
Medical Services provides routine and urgent medical care, nutrition, travel medicine, immunizations, sexual health services, reproductive and gynecological services, LGBTQ+ health care, confidential HIV testing, acupuncture, sports medicine, and more. The full list of providers is available on the Columbia Health website. Schedule a medical appointment (in-person at John Jay Hall or virtual) on the Patient Portal. For questions or support with making an appointment, call 212-854-7426.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term individual counseling, referrals for longer-term therapy, drop-ins, support spaces, medication consultation, emergency consultation, and crisis intervention. The full list of mental health providers is available on the Columbia Health website. To get started with individual counseling, schedule a treatment planning session on the Patient Portal or call 212-854-2878.
Disability Services
Disability Services provides academic, classroom, campus, housing, and event accommodations for students with disabilities (including chronic conditions and temporary injuries), and non-clinical consultations around academic difficulties related to attention issues or learning difficulties. Students must register with Disability Services to receive accommodations and support services. For questions, email disability@columbia.edu.
Alice! Health Promotion
Alice! Health Promotion provides in person and virtual one-on-one conversations on sleep, stress, time management, substance use and recovery support, wellness coaching, sexual and reproductive health (including HIV testing and treatment, birth control, PrEP and PEP, etc.); gender affirming care coordination; and Go Ask Alice! (anonymous health Q&A web resource). Alice! offers workshops, trainings, and a variety of health promotion events across the academic year. For questions, email alice@columbia.edu.
Sexual Violence Response (SVR)
Sexual Violence Response provides crisis counseling, intervention, advocacy, connection to resources, online orders of protection, and accompaniment for survivors and co-survivors of violence, as well as violence prevention trainings and workshops. Services are available by appointment and drop-in by phone, secure Zoom, or in-person for all Columbia University community members.
Advocates are available 24/7 year-round via the Helpline at 212-854-4357 (HELP). For questions or to make an appointment, call 212-854-3500 or email svresponse@columbia.edu.
Student Health Insurance
All full-time and international students are automatically enrolled in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. Enrollment confirmation, eligible dependent enrollment, and waiver requests are due September 30 (February 15 for new spring term enrollment or June 30 for new summer term enrollment). Students with other coverage that meets all Univeristy requirements may request consideration of a waiver of mandatory enrollment in the Columbia Plan. Students are encouraged to submit requests at least two weeks before the deadline. All requests are considered, but approval is not guaranteed.
Columbia University offers voluntary dental and vision insurance to all students, regardless of their medical coverage. For complete information about health insurance, dental, and vision plan benefits, dependent enrollment, waivers and other related information, visit the Columbia Health website.
Mandatory International Student Enrollment
Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be complex. To help ensure that international students (any student other than a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident) have access to the highest quality of care on- and off-campus, Columbia University requires all international students to enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. To meet this requirement, students can confirm their enrollment in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan or request a waiver by providing proof of alternative coverage that meets all of the University criteria prior to the enrollment deadline.
Immunization Compliance
There are two immunization requirements that all students - regardless of credit load - must meet before registering for classes or accessing University campuses and facilities. Deadline: Students must submit their documentation upon admission or at least 30 days before registration. Submission does not equal compliance. Your registration will remain on hold until your compliance is verified.
Required:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
- Meningitis Decision- vaccine or certification that you have declined to receive it.
Columbia Health strongly recommends that all students remain up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccine and receive the annual seasonal influenza vaccine, available at no cost during the annual Flu Fairs hosted in the fall.
Submit your immunization requirements using the Patient Portal. Visit the Columbia Health website for complete instructions, videos, and more information about these immunization requirements.