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2022-23 SHP Options While on Leave of Absence (LOA)

Student Health Plan (SHP) members who go on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) during the academic year have the option to maintain, cancel, or extend their insurance coverage, depending on the effective date of their LOA. Student Health Plan Plus (SHP Plus) members may purchase SHP insurance during their LOA.

Special considerations while on Leave of Absence

  • 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.
  • Under New York State insurance law, your SHP coverage will not automatically be canceled or refunded when on leave of absence, unless the leave is prior to the start of the fall term. 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.
  • 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.
  • SHP will review registration status for students enrolled in SHP and periodically send notifications regarding eligibility to cancel SHP due to a change in eligibility, however you should not wait for this notification before taking action.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.

Fall 2022 Term Leave of Absence Date

If your student status was active and you were enrolled in credits for the Fall 2022 term prior to going on leave of absence on or after 8/22/22, you may choose to:

  • Maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the fall semester (12/31/22) [default if you do not take action]
  • Maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the plan year (through 6/30/23) by completing the requested information a continuation form. SHP will then invoice you for the amount due. If you do not pay the coverage invoice within 30 days, your coverage will end on 12/31/22. (Continuation form has been removed as deadline for this action has passed. Please contact our office with questions.)
  • Cancel your coverage without a cancellation fee by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason.
    • 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.
    • New students that never began their studies at Cornell will not be responsible for the July and August premium and coverage for that period will be cancelled.
  • Your leave of absence effective date must be associated with the Fall term. For leaves of absence processed by the University registrar with an effective date for the spring or summer term, please see the appropriate spring or summer term leave of absence section.

Spring 2023 Term Leave of Absence Date Prior to 4/1/23

If you have a leave of absence date in the spring term of 3/31/23 or earlier, you may choose to:

  • If you have already been billed for spring, maintain your coverage through the end of the plan year, 6/30/23.
    • Reminder: Pay your bursar bill to prevent your account from being transferred to collections. There is a collection fee of $200, plus a $25 service charge in addition to finance charges of 1.25% per month on the unpaid balance.
  • If you have not been bursar billed for spring, your coverage will end on 12/31/22 unless you complete a continuation form to remain enrolled in SHP through the end of the plan year (6/30/23). SHP will then invoice you for the amount due. If you do not pay the coverage invoice within 30 days, your coverage will end on 12/31/22. (Continuation form has been removed as deadline for this action has passed. Please contact our office with questions.)
  • Cancel your coverage without a cancellation fee by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason.
    • Your coverage will end the last day of the month that the termination request was submitted and you will receive a pro-rated refund.
    • Verification of your leave of absence status is required for approval.

Spring 2023 Term Leave of Absence Date 4/1/23 & Later

If you have a leave of absence date in the spring term on or after 4/1/23 (based on the effective date, or when recorded electronically by the registrar, whichever is later), you may choose to:

  • Maintain your SHP enrollment in SHP will end 6/30/23. [default if you do not take action]
  • You are eligible for a one-time 3-month coverage extension. You are not eligible for SHP beyond 9/30/23 unless you return to active status.

Summer 2023 Term Leave of Absence Date

For information of leaves occurring in the Summer 2022 term, please see information from the previous academic year.

If you have a leave of absence date associated with the summer term on or after 7/1/23 and were enrolled in credits during the summer term, you may choose to:

  • Maintain your SHP enrollment through 8/31/23. [default if you do not take action]
  • Cancel your coverage without a cancellation fee by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason.
    • Your coverage will end the last day of the month that the termination request was submitted and you will receive a pro-rated refund.
  • If you were term activated for the Fall 2023 term and enrolled and billed for SHP, your SHP coverage will be adjusted to end August 31st and you will receive a pro-rated refund for September through December.
  • You are eligible for a one-time 3-month coverage extension. You are not eligible for SHP beyond the end date of your extension unless you return to active status.

Students without credits in the summer term or a leave of absence effective prior to the new SHP plan year (7/1/23) will have a default end date of 6/30/23 and the option to extend through 9/30/23.

Default End Date Extension Dates
Summer Credits and LOA Effective 7/1/23 or Later 8/31/23 9/1/23 - 11/30/23
Summer Credits and LOA Effective 6/30/23 or Earlier 6/30/23 7/1/23 - 9/30/23
No Summer Credits 6/30/23 7/1/23 - 9/30/23