Columbia Health
Phone: 212-854-2284
After-hours Urgent Medical Concerns: 212-854-7426
After-hours Urgent Mental Health Concerns: 212-854-2878
24/7 support for survivors of violence: 212-854-4357 (HELP)
Email: health@columbia.edu
Website: health.columbia.edu
Patient Portal: https://secure.health.columbia.edu/
Make an appointment with any department
Overview
Columbia Health provides extensive virtual and on campus healthcare programs and services for students while they are enrolled at the University. Columbia Health 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.
All full-time and international students have access to Columbia Health through the mandatory Columbia Health and Related Services Fee (CHRSF). They are also required to have health insurance while they are enrolled. To meet this requirement, students can confirm their enrollment in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan or request a waiver by providing proof of alternate coverage that meets the established criteria set by the University.
Part-time students also pay a mandatory CHRSF based on the number of registered credits. This fee provides access to a range of programs and services. Part-time students wishing to access all of Columbia Health’s services can opt to pay the full-time CHRSF or enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan, which will require payment of the full-time CHRSF.
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 medical record. The form should include any medical information that is pertinent to ongoing care, particularly around current treatment and prescriptions. Columbia Health does not share this information, or any other health information, with anyone without the student’s written permission.
Benefits and Services of Columbia Health
Columbia Health comprises five 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.
Medical Services
Medical Services provides routine and urgent medical care, travel medicine, immunizations, as well as sexual health services, reproductive and gynecological services, LGBTQ health care, and confidential HIV testing. Bios and photos of providers are available online. 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, consultations for Columbia couples, urgent concerns and problem-solving drop-in, virtual and in-person support spaces (offerings vary by semester), medication consultation, and crisis intervention. Bios, descriptions of expertise, and photos of mental health providers are available on our website. To get started with CPS, schedule a treatment planning session on the Patient Portal or call 212-854-2878.
Disability Services (DS)
Disability Services provides in-person and virtual academic accommodations, support services, accommodations for University events, on-campus housing accommodations, and service/ assistance animals for students with various disabilities including but not limited to physical, hearing, visual, learning, psychological, chronic medical conditions, and temporary injuries to cultivate a campus culture that is responsive to their needs. 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 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.); and gender affirming care coordination. For questions, email alice@columbia.edu.
Sexual Violence Response (SVR)
Sexual Violence Response provides trauma-informed, confidential support and prevention programs focused on ending gender and power-based violence. Services include prevention focused training and education programs, crisis counseling and intervention, advocacy, connection to resources, online orders of protection, and accompaniment for survivors and co survivors of violence. Services are available by appointment and drop-in (drop-in hours vary by semester) 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, call 212-854-3500 or email svresponse@columbia.edu.
Student Health Insurance
All full-time and international students without an approved waiver are automatically enrolled in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. Enrollment confirmation, eligible dependent enrollment, and waiver requests are due on September 30 (February 15 for new spring term enrollment or June 30 for new summer term enrollment). Students are encouraged to submit requests at least two weeks before the deadline. All requests are considered, but approval is not guaranteed.
Columbia University is pleased to offer voluntary dental and vision insurance. 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 have access to the highest quality of care on- and off-campus, Columbia University requires all international students without an approved waiver to enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.
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 prior to their scheduled registration date. Submission does not equal compliance. Your registration will remain on hold until your compliance is verified.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Meningitis 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 October.
Submit your immunization requirements or exemption requests using the Patient Portal. Visit the Columbia Health website for complete instructions or more information about these immunization requirements.