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2023-24 SHP Options While on Leave of Absence (LOA)

Coverage options for students on leave have changed beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year. Please see below.

For information on leaves with an effective date prior to 8/24/23, please see our page for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Eligibility for SHP While on LOA & Resources

  • SHP coverage options are based on the effective date of your leave of absence. 
    • The effective date of your leave of absence is the last day on which you were considered a student as determined by the Office of the University Registrar. The last date you were a student is correlated with your last active term at Cornell University.
  • The SHP Plus program ends 6/30/23 and will not be available in the 2023-2024 academic year, regardless of registration status. If are going on leave and you were enrolled in SHP Plus through 6/30/23, you may be eligible to purchase a three-month extension on regular SHP. Email shp-medicaid@cornell.edu to discuss your options.
  • It is your responsibility to review and understand Cornell resources available to you while on LOA. See: During a Health Leave of Absence | Cornell Health

Cancellation of SHP Coverage

  • SHP will review registration status for students enrolled in SHP and periodically send notifications regarding the option to cancel SHP due to a change in eligibility, however you should not wait for this notification before taking action.
  • Under New York State insurance law, your SHP coverage will not automatically be canceled or refunded when on leave of absence, unless the leave effective date is prior to the start of the term. This applies to all terms: fall, spring, and summer.
  • You are eligible to cancel SHP coverage as soon as your leave of absence is effective and has been processed by the University Registrar. Alternatively, you can provide an approved leave of absence letter from your department or leave office.

Billing

  • If funding for your SHP coverage is provided by your department (i.e.: PhD students), your program may withdraw funding for your insurance premium. It is your responsibility to monitor your bursar account for charges and to pay the premium if you do not choose to cancel coverage.
  • Your coverage will only remain in effect for the months of payment received.
  • SHP is not allowed to bursar bill students on leave of absence. All coverage extensions must be paid by credit or debit card.
  • You are eligible to cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health.
    • You may submit a termination request prior to approval of your leave, but the effective date of your termination will not be prior to the effective date of your leave. The termination will be effective as of the last day of the month in which the request is made or the leave is effective, whichever is later.

Fall 2023 Term Leave of Absence Through 9/30/23

If your student status was active and you were enrolled in credits for the Fall 2023 term prior to going on leave of absence with an effective date between 8/24/23 and 9/30/23, you may choose to:

  • Maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the fall semester (12/31/23) [default if you do not take action]. 
  • Cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason to avoid being charged a termination fee.
    • In accordance with our certificate of coverage, requests to terminate SHP coverage are effective at the end of the month in which they are submitted, regardless of your leave date.
    • Verification of your leave of absence status is required for approval.
  • You are not eligible for SHP beyond 12/31/23 unless you return to active status with academic credits.

Fall 2023 Term Leave of Absence 10/1/23 and Later

If your student status was active and you were enrolled in credits for the Fall 2023 term prior to going on leave of absence with an effective date on or after 10/1/23, you may choose to:

  • Maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the fall semester (12/31/23) [default if you do not take action]. 
  • Cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason to avoid being charged a termination fee.
    • In accordance with our certificate of coverage, requests to terminate SHP coverage are effective at the end of the month in which they are submitted, regardless of your leave date.
    • Verification of your leave of absence status is required for approval.
  • You are eligible for a one-time 3-month coverage extension. You are not eligible for SHP beyond 3/31/24 unless you return to active status with academic credits.

Spring 2024 Term Leave of Absence Date Through 3/31/24

If your student status was active and you were enrolled in credits for the Spring 2024 term prior to going on leave of absence with an effective date through 3/31/24, you may choose to:

  • Maintain your coverage through the end of the plan year, 6/30/24 [default if you do not take action].
  • Cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason to avoid being charged a termination fee.
    • Your coverage will end the last day of the month that the termination request was submitted and you will receive a pro-rated refund. (No refunds will be provided for termination requests made after 4/30/24.)
    • Verification of your leave of absence status is required for approval.
  • You are not eligible for SHP beyond 6/30/24 unless you return to active status with academic credits.

Spring 2024 Term Leave of Absence Date 4/1/24 & Later

If your student status was active and you were enrolled in credits for the Spring 2024 term prior to going on leave of absence with an effective date on or after 4/1/24, you may choose to:

  • Maintain your coverage through the end of the plan year, 6/30/24 [default if you do not take action].
  • Cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason to avoid being charged a termination fee.
    • Your coverage will end the last day of the month that the termination request was submitted and you will receive a pro-rated refund. (No refunds will be provided for termination requests made after 4/30/24.)
    • Verification of your leave of absence status is required for approval.
  • You are eligible for a one-time 3-month coverage extension. You are not eligible for SHP beyond 9/30/24 unless you return to active status with academic credits.

Summer 2024 Term Leave of Absence Date

For information of leaves occurring in the Summer 2023 term, please see information from the previous academic year.

Summary of Extension Coverage Dates 2023-24
LOA Effective Date
Coverage Options
SHP Extension Coverage Dates
Fall 2023 term through 9/30/23
  • Maintain coverage through 12/31/23
  • Terminate SHP coverage
 Not available
Fall 2023 term 10/1/23 or later 1/1/24 through 3/31/24
Spring 2023 term through 3/31/24
  • Maintain coverage through 6/30/24
  • Terminate SHP coverage
 Not available
Spring 2023 term 4/1/24 or later 7/1/24 through 9/30/24

Note:  Coverage options with links in the above table require you to take action to request the termination or coverage extension. If no action is taken, you will maintain your coverage through the end date specified above.