Manhattan School of Music
Student Life

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Health & Wellness

The Office of Student and Residence Life is responsible for all matters pertaining to student support, including health and wellness. Students who find themselves faced with difficult challenges', stress, disabilities, roommate problems, emotional concerns, interpersonal conflict, etc.can turn to any of the Student and Residence Life staff for advice and assistance.

Services and opportunities that the department provide, include:

Wellness Programs

Each semester we offer non-credit-bearing courses, such as yoga and Alexander technique, which focus on stress relief and relaxation. These courses are offered at a minimal cost to the student. We also offer an annual Wellness Fair in January, and provide additional information about maintaining physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being through educational bulletin boards, pamphlets, and programs.

Gym Membership

Columbia University gym is also nearby and available for a special student fee. Students who wish to join should go to the Hartley-Dodge Physical Fitness Center at Columbia with their Manhattan School of Music ID and proof of health insurance (if you are on the Manhattan School of Music plan, your paid college bill will serve as proof until your insurance card arrives).

Health and Psychological Assistance

Students in need of medical or psychological assistance should follow the guidelines outlined in their health insurance policy and seek assistance in the local area accordingly. Students in need of medical assistance who are covered by the MSM sponsored health insurance plan should call University Medical Practice Associates at (877)-420-4209 to set up an appointment. Students should be prepared to show proper school and insurance identification and pay the designated copayment. Students in need of assistance with counseling concerns are encouraged to seek guidance or referral with the Student Life staff.

Emergency Financial Assistance

The Ruth K. Knight Fund provides limited funds for mental health and counseling for Manhattan School of Music students. Students may apply in the Office of Student and Residence Life, room 112.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance 2010-2011
Manhattan School of Music mandates all full-time students have health insurance coverage valid in New York State. The school currently offers a Student Accident & Sickness Insurance plan, underwritten by Combined Life Insurance Company of New York. Specifics regarding the coverage offered by this plan are detailed in a brochure and available at the Office of Student and Residence Life. Please click here for a digital version of the brochure.  Full time students are automatically enrolled in this plan unless they submit a completed health insurance information form indicating they have outside coverage. They must also provide proof of coverage by submitting photocopies of their health insurance card or documentation from the health insurance company.

Once a student is enrolled in the plan they are billed a health insurance fee on their invoice and are financially responsible for these charges.

The school’s health insurance plan covers students for one full year, beginning on August 18 and running through the following August 18. Enrollment is for the full year and cannot be changed on a semester-by-semester basis. If a student takes a leave of absence, withdraws, or changes to part time status prior to the academic year end their coverage under the plan will continue through the end of the enrollment period (August 18, 2010 through August 18, 2011), therefore no refunds will be issued.

Part time students, including DMA students in their 3 year and beyond, who wish to enroll in the insurance program should fill out the insurance request form and return it to the Office of the Bursar.  Click here for the insurance request form.

Description of the plan
Manhattan School of Music, concerned about the health of its students and their protection against the high costs of medical care, assists students in their efforts to obtain adequate health care.  The Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan for Manhattan School of Music Students provides up to $50,000 of medical expense benefits for covered Injury or Sickness.  Coverage is provided twenty-four hours a day and is valid worldwide.  The “base Plan” benefits are provided to all full-time MSM students while enrolled at MSM.  The brochure provides benefit information and important information about how to contact doctors. Click here for brochure.

Students in need of non-emergency medical care must contact The University Medical Practice Associates, located on the forth floor of 1090 Amsterdam Avenue, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center to make an appointment.  The student calls an answering service, at 877-420-4209, to make the appointment.  The student should identify themselves as a MSM student and have their insurance card available when they make the call. 

The visit to University Medical Practice Associates and the referral requirement
The student is required to pay a $5 per visit copayment at the time of the office visit.  The office is open Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.  If the student is in need of a referral, they will need to make the initial appointment with University Medical Practice Associates, who will determine if a referral is appropriate.  The student should remind the referring doctor that if a referral is to be made, they would prefer a Beech Street  Network participant for optimal insurance coverage.  For a list of Beech Street doctors please visit www.beechstreet.com

Students experiencing emergencies at anytime or serious medical/mental health situations out side of office hours should call 911 or visit an emergency room immediately.

Pharmacy Needs 
Students participating in the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance plan will need to present their current insurance card to the participating Medco pharmacy to receive benefits. The maximum benefit for prescribed medicines is $1,000 per policy year. For a current list of the Medco pharmacies visit www.medco.com

Procedure for Waiving the School’s Plan
Students who are covered under private insurance plans must submit a health insurance information form and proof of coverage each academic year by the stated deadline to the office of Student and Residence Life.  The deadline to waive MSM health insurance coverage for the 2010-2011 academic year is May 14, 2010 for returning students and May 20, 2010 for new students.  New health insurance information forms MUST be submitted each academic year.   Click here for waiver form.

Students wishing to add a dependent
Students wishing to add a dependent to their insurance plan may do so by submitting the appropriate form by September 10, 2010 to Collegiate Insurance Resources at 172 Bechtel Road, Collegeville, PA 19426. Click here for the 2010-2011 Dependent Enrollment Form.

Timeline

JUNE:
Students receive bills from Office of the Bursar.
Please note the bill will initially indicate the fee for health insurance coverage.

JULY:
Students receive emailing from Office of Student and Residence Life.
Students will receive information regarding the school health insurance policy, plan benefits, waiver forms, and supplemental coverage forms.

AUGUST 18:
Coverage under the school’s plan begins
. Insurance cards may not be available until after September 1, however any students needing to see a doctor or pick up prescription medication should come to the Office of Student and Residence Life to request a faxed photo copy of their card from the insurance company.

NOVEMBER:
Continuing students receive bills for the Spring semester; New students, beginning at MSM in the Spring semester,  receive bills for their first semester.

DECEMBER 3, 2010:
Deadline to waive coverage with the School
(only for students beginning their first semester in January).

Bills and Claims
Once you receive a bill, please submit it for payment with a Claim Form immediately!  The claim forms are available outside the Office of Student and Residence Life and on the claims administrator website at www.visit-aci.com.

For more information, contact:
Offices of Student and Residence Life
Rm. 112, main building,
917-493-4525