Keep Your Own Health Insurance

If you plan to keep your own health insurance instead of enrolling in Cornell’s Student Health Plan (SHP) insurance, this section will help you understand your options. Use the pages below to check whether your coverage meets Cornell’s student health insurance criteria, see whether you are eligible to opt out of SHP insurance, learn how the opt-out process works (SHP waiver submission), and find answers to common questions.

Not sure where to begin? Start with Can You Opt Out of SHP?
 

In This Section
 

Student Health Insurance Criteria
Review the minimum criteria your alternative health insurance must meet in order to qualify for a SHP waiver, including common plan types that do not meet this criteria.

Can You Opt Out of SHP?
See whether you are eligible to waive SHP coverage, with additional notes for different circumstances.

How to Opt Out of SHP
Find SHP waiver key dates, where to submit your SHP waiver, and the steps to complete the opt-out process on time.

Have Medicaid?
Learn when Medicaid may meet Cornell’s student health insurance criteria and what students should know before submitting a SHP waiver.

Cancel/Terminate SHP
Get information about when SHP insurance coverage may be terminated and how to request cancellation after enrollment.

Opt-Out FAQs & Forms
Find answers to common SHP waiver questions, along with forms and guidance to help you avoid delays or errors.