Especially for New Students

For new international students

Check out our Especially for International Students webpage for information to help you get acclimated to Cornell Health and to healthcare and health insurance in the United States. 
 

Welcome to Cornell … and to Cornell Health!

Cornell Health is proud to be recognized as a national leader in college health. Each year, our 250+ staff members – including physicians, counselors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists – provide care for more than 80% of Cornell’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional students studying in Ithaca.

[see Who We Are]  [see Who We Serve]

View this four-minute video for an overview of the services and support options you can find at Cornell Health:

[see video transcript]

New student health requirements

Cornell Health oversees the university's New Student Health Requirements process, through which students provide health information and documentation of required immunizations. Students are expected to meet their requirements before coming to Cornell. For students who are unable to, requirements may be met at Cornell Health. 

[see New Student Health Requirements]

Our services 

You can depend on us for medical and mental health care, plus specialty services like physical therapy, nutrition services, sexual health care, sports medicine, Student Disability Services, and an in-house pharmacy.

Our integrated services are confidential, and responsive to the needs of Cornell’s diverse community. Our goal is to help you stay healthy and feeling your best so you can participate fully in the Cornell experience. 

[see Services] 

Your Primary Care Provider at Cornell Health

All new students are assigned their own medical provider, called a “Primary Care Provider,” when they start at Cornell. You’ll see your Primary Care Provider — or a member their team — if you get sick or injured, or just want a general checkup. You can talk to your PCP about anything. They’re your central point of contact who can connect you with specialists or other providers, when needed.

[see Primary Care Provider]

Supporting your mental health 

We offer great online resources and self-care information to help support your mental health and well-being at Cornell.

If you need support, our Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) staff provide drop-in consultation, workshops, individual and group counseling, medication management, and referrals.

[see Resources] [see Mental Health Care]

How to get care

Most services require scheduling an appointment in advance. You can call us during business hours at 607-255-5155, and some appointments may also be made online. You may also call us during business hours to ask a question or consult with a health care provider. When we're closed, students can consult by phone with an on-call medical or mental health care provider (see more about after-hours care, below).

[see Appointments [see Hours]  [see Getting Here]

Costs & insurance

Students studying in Ithaca campus pay $10/visit for most Cornell Health appointments (no matter what health insurance you have!). There is no cost for some services, including preventive medical visits and some counseling services. Additional costs may apply for pharmacy prescriptions, some lab tests, most immunizations, and travel medicine.

Ithaca students pay Cornell’s student health fee to help support this subsidized, affordable care available to all students on the Ithaca campus, regardless of what health insurance they have.

Cornell requires students to have health insurance that meets the university's requirements or enroll in the Cornell student health plan (SHP). Your insurance may be billed as the primary payer for Cornell Health services, and your remaining costs will be capped at $10 for most services.

[see Cost for Service]  [see Insurance & Billing] [see Student Health Fee]

Emergencies & after-hours care

Even when we’re closed, you can consult with us 24/7 about a physical or mental health concern: 607-255-5155. We can help you determine what care you need, and how to get it.

In an emergency, students should call 911, or call Cornell's Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111. Medical and mental health care is available 24/7 at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca’s hospital and emergency department. After-hours and weekend care is also available at local urgent care walk-in clinics.

[see Emergencies & After-Hours Care]

Information just for you

Please visit the following pages for information especially for ...

... and more!

[see all "Especially For" pages]

Questions?

If you have questions or concerns not addressed on these pages, we invite you to please contact us to speak with a Cornell Health staff person. Please visit our Contact Us page for information.