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Waiving with Medicaid

Health Insurance is not included in Cornell's estimated cost of attendance. However, it is a cost that can be included in your student budget along with optional course fees. Please review the ** in the "Billed by Cornell" section of Costs & Affordability.

Eligible students can opt-out/waive of SHP with Medicaid but not all Medicaid plans meet the University requirements to receive a waiver.  

Things to know:

  1. Medicaid is a state-based, regional plan. To opt-out/waive SHP, you must be enrolled in a New York State MMC (Medicaid Managed Care) plan that offers comprehensive coverage in the zip code you are attending school.
    • At Ithaca, in Tompkins County: Fidelis Care, Affinity by Molina, and Molina are the only MMC plans that provide comprehensive coverage in Ithaca.
    • At Cornell Tech, in New York County: most NYS MMC plans provide comprehensive coverage in the New York City metro area.
  2. Students with Medicaid must complete an annual recertification process or you may lose your MMC enrollment.
  3. Your state determines eligibility for Medicaid and this can change annually.

I have New York State Medicaid.

I am currently enrolled in Fidelis Care, Affinity by Molina, or Molina.

To opt-out/waive SHP for any Cornell campus (Ithaca, AgriTech, or Cornell Tech), log in to Gallagher Student Health & Risk and follow the prompts to provide proof of your insurance coverage.

I have a different NYS Medicaid Managed Care Plan.

If you are at the Ithaca campus, in Tompkins County, to opt-out/waive SHP, you will need to change your current MMC to either Fidelis Care, Affinity by Molina, or Molina. There is no cost to switch your MMC plan. Changing your MMC is not an instant process; this can take up to 45 days.

  • Contact the NYS of Health through your personal portal at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 855-355-5777.
  • Consider choosing an MMC plan that provides coverage both in Ithaca and your home county.

If you are at Cornell Tech, in New York County, you can opt-out/waive with other New York State MMC plans, in addition to Fidelis Care, Affinity by Molina, or Molina. However, you cannot waive with a Medicaid plan from a different state. 

I'm enrolled in Fee for Service Medicaid.

Fee for Service Medicaid, also known as "regular" or "straight" Medicaid, does not meet the University's waiver requirements. In order to opt-out/waive, you must enroll in an approved Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) plan that works where you are going to school. There is no cost to enroll in an MMC plan. Enrolling in an MMC is not an instant process; this can take up to 45 days.

  • To enroll, contact the NYS of Health through your personal portal at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 855-355-5777.
  • Consider choosing an MMC plan that provides coverage both where you are studying and your home county. 

I have Medicaid from a different state.

Students with Medicaid from outside New York state cannot opt-out/waive SHP with a non-NYS Medicaid product. Please consider the following options:

Apply for New York State Medicaid

Contact the New York State of Health to determine if you are eligible to enroll in NYS Medicaid and an approved Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) plan.  

  1. Contact the NYS of Health at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 855-355-5777.
  2. If approved for NYS Medicaid and MMC plan, choose an MMC that works in the zip code of the campus you are studying at.
    1. For Ithaca, in Tompkins County, only Fidelis Care, Affinity by Molina, or Molina provide comprehensive care in this region.
    2. For Cornell Tech, in New York County, other New York State MMC plans in addition to Fidelis Care, Affinity by Molina, or Molina, provide comprehensive care in this region.
  3. Log in to Gallagher Student Health & Risk and follow the prompts to provide proof of your insurance coverage and submit your waiver.
  4. Upload your new MMC coverage documents in addition to filling out the form. 

Confirm enrollment on SHP

SHP provides coverage when you're at school, if you travel abroad, or return home on holidays and breaks. 

  1. Go to Gallagher Student Health & Risk and "Confirm Enrollment" in Cornell's Student Health Plan (SHP).
  2. The cost of SHP will be billed to your bursar account. 

I have NYS Child Health Plus (CHP) or Essential Plan coverage.

For Ithaca Campus

  • Please contact the NYS of Health at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855-355-5777 to ensure you have comprehensive health insurance coverage in Ithaca, Tompkins County.
  • If you do have comprehensive coverage, log in to Gallagher Student Health & Risk and follow the prompts to provide proof of your insurance coverage and submit a waiver.

For Cornell Tech

  • Please contact the NYS of Health at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855-355-5777 to ensure you have comprehensive health insurance coverage in the NYC metro area, New York County.
  • If you do have comprehensive coverage, log in to Gallagher Student Health & Risk and follow the prompts to provide proof of your insurance coverage and submit a waiver. 

Please note:

Submitting a waiver does not equal approval of a waiver.

If approved to opt-out, you will receive a "Waiver Approved" email from Gallagher Student Health & Risk. 

Watch for emails from Gallagher.

Check your inbox/spam/junk folders for any emails; OR login to check on your waiver status.
Complete any requests immediately.

Gallagher will re-check your insurance in January to make sure your plan is still active. 

If your MMC plan is not active, you will be auto-enrolled in SHP and billed for the insurance cost.