To enroll at Ohio State University, all students are required to certify that they carry health insurance coverage. The Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and an option to augment existing coverage (the Wilce Care Supplemental) are available for students to purchase.
Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
SHIP is a comprehensive plan, covering inpatient and outpatient medical and mental health care. Vision, dental and pharmacy benefits are also offered. Full details of the plan are available in the benefits guide (PDF, 162 K). If you are considering SHIP, familiarize yourself with this guide so you understand the details of what services are covered and what co-pays to expect when you visit a doctor or pharmacy (for example, there is a coverage maximum for pharmacy benefits). For general inquiries, you can also contact the campus Student Health Insurance Program office on the web or by calling 614-688-7979.
SHIP is usually purchased by students who do not have other health insurance coverage. Read about SHIP premium rates which differ for domestic and international students. Also consider whether you will need health insurance during the summer: read about off-term insurance. SHIP is also available to qualified dependents (spouse, domestic partner, children) for an additional cost.
Students are automatically enrolled in SHIP at the time of course registration unless coverage is waived. To learn more about the requirements for waiving coverage and the procedure to do so, please visit the general information page.
Insurance for Graduate Employees and Fellows
The SHIP premium is subsidized for certain graduate student employees, including Graduate Associates. Graduate Associates, Fellows and Trainees also have the option to enroll in a faculty and staff health plan (University Prime Care Advantage) for a higher cost. More information can be found on the Graduate and Student Employees Benefits page. If you are a graduate employee or fellow, your department's Human Resources representative can help to link you to appropriate resources as well.
Wilce Care Supplement
The Wilce Care Supplement allows you to access medical care from the on-campus Wilce Student Health Center at an affordable, pre-paid cost. The supplement covers a selection of services and benefits that are provided or dispersed at the Wilce Center. Please note the WilceCare supplement alone is not an insurance plan. The Wilce Care Supplement is usually purchased by students who have other insurance coverage for which Columbus area providers are considered out of network.
Student Health Services
Regardless of insurance coverage, any student on campus can seek health services from Wilce Student Health Center for a fee. Services include primary care, dental, pharmacy, optometry, gynecology, and other health and support services. Wilce is open Monday through Friday throughout the year and Saturday mornings during academic quarters. Call 614-292-4321 to talk to a Wilce nurse or schedule an appointment.
Students seeking additional support related to healthcare access and expenses may contact the Patient Advocacy Coordinator, Susan Henn (henn.18@osu.edu or 614-688-3623). Susan’s office is on the third floor of the Wilce Student Health Center within Patient Relations.
Counseling and Consultation Services
In addition to the services available from Wilce, students have access to Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS) on the fourth floor of Younkin Success Center (1640 Neil Avenue). Regardless of insurance coverage, enrolled students receive 10 free counseling appointments per academic year. To contact CCS, call 614-292-5766 or email ccs@studentlife.osu.edu. Crisis support, individual counseling, couples counseling, support groups, psychiatric services, and other information, support, and services are available at CCS.
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