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Health insurance and medical issues

In the US, the government does not pay for health care. Therefore all OSU students are required to have health insurance during all quarters of enrollment. All immediate family members living with the student must also have health insurance (if applicable). All students will be automatically enrolled into the Student Health Insurance Plan's Comprehensive Plan.

Students may waive this health insurance by the 15th day of the quarter by providing proof of comparable coverage (see link below for details).

OSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

General information

This information applies to both domestic and international students:

  • All OSU graduate students are automatically enrolled in the OSU Student Health Insurance Comprehensive Plan.
  • The OSU Student Health Insurance policy coverage begins seven days before the first day of the quarter of enrollment.
  • International students, waiving coverage--petition process described at the bottom of the page.
  • Domestic students, waiving coverage.
  • Student Health Insurance Plan rates [a link to a coming academic year's costs will be posted during the preceding Summer Quarter. Note that health insurance is billed to our students per quarter.]
  • The quarterly cost for OSU Student Health Insurance is added to your tuition and fee statement (see note to GRA's below).
  • You will receive an insurance ID card and a booklet describing the Student Health Insurance policy's benefits.
  • For more detailed information about the policy call 1-800-254-2461, or visit the OSU Student Health Insurance Plan

If you have been awarded a Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) or Fellowship

85% of the student's quarterly health insurance premiums are paid by the research project on which the student is funded.

The balance of the quarterly premium payments will be automatically deducted from the student's monthly stipend check. In other words there will not be a single premium payment due at the start of each quarter. Instead, these payments will be deducted from your monthly stipend payment, 1/3 of the premium for each of three months over the course of a quarter.

Further information about GRA appointments and health insurance. Includes a basic description of benefits as well as a Benefit Overview Booklet for download.

NOTE: GRA's may select University Prime Care Health Insurance (UPC). UPC is the plan available to faculty, staff, and GRA's.

  • One advantage of this plan is coverage for prescription medications and higher coverage amounts for in-network providers.
  • If you choose to enroll in UPC, you must elect this option during the first thirty days of your appointment date as a GRA or Fellow.
  • Your election will remain in effect for the entire year and is non-cancelable for the year unless you terminate your position.
  • The amount of money paid toward the SHIP health insurance premiums is applied toward the UPC premiums.
  • To compare SHI and UPC plans, please view the "Graduate Associate Special Provisions" page of SHIP site.

General health care services for OSU students

All enrolled OSU students may use the Wilce Student Health Center. The center provides a full range of services, including general medical care, some dental care, and gynecological and optometry examinations. Fees for regular office visits are waived for enrolled students. Students are charged for medical tests, laboratory procedures, and prescriptions, and can submit those bills to their insurance company. (Family members cannot use the student health center; contact the Wilce Health Center for a listing of community health care providers.)

The Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For medical care outside of these hours, contact or go to the Prompt Care area of the OSU Hospitals Emergency Department, 450 W. 10th Ave. 293-4010

OSU Student Health Center 1875 Millikin Road (map showing Wilce Center--building 294, lower center of map)
Student Wellness Center 292-4527
Appointments 292-4321
Dental Care Appointments 292-4321
Advice Nurse 292-3301
OSU Student Health Insurance Plan web site

OSU ID required for all visits.

International student health screening

All international students are required to complete a health screening at the Wilce Student Health Center during their first quarter of study at Ohio State (map showing Wilce Center--building 294, lower center of map). Failure to complete this screening will result in not being able to register for subsequent quarters. This is a free service for students who have enrolled--and thus have been automatically enrolled in the OSU Student Health Insurance Plan (see SHIP details above). The fee for non-students is $25 US.

All international students are asked about any medical conditions they may have, any medications they are currently taking, and what medication allergies they may have. They are also asked about their most recent TB test and chest x-ray if they are from a high-risk country, and their most recent vaccinations, if they are to be skin-tested. Students with a recent Measles (within four weeks) or BCG vaccine (within 1-2 years) require different counseling.

OSU ID required for all visits.

Some helpful points when preparing to come to Ohio State:

  1. Many students report medicines and allergies, but some do not know the English translation for the drug. If you could investigate this with your physician at home, that would be helpful. If you cannot translate the drug name, at least knowing the class of drug would help.
  2. OSU requires that the TB skin test be an intradermal test, often referred to as a Mantoux (pronounced MAN-TOO) test, read by a nurse or doctor, with an actual measurement in millimeters documented (not just "Positive" or "Negative"). Any negative test must be within twelve months to be accepted. ANY documented previous positive test is important. Students who have tested positive should bring card and/or x-ray to the screening and the health center staff will give further instructions.
  3. OSU will accept previous chest x-rays for those who have already tested positive in the past, or who are positive at our testing. The x-ray report must be in English, and identified with the patient's name, and be dated within the past twelve months. However, an x-ray alone does not replace the TB skin test.
  4. OSU appreciates any immunization records students can bring with them.
  5. OSU also informs students that, if they wish, they can have free TB testing or chest x-rays done at the Columbus Health Department. Information on this is available at the screening program. Students still need to complete the OSU health screening, even if they have a TB test and x-ray performed by the Columbus Health Dept.