My Iona

Health Insurance Requirement

Iona University requires all full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students to have health insurance. We are pleased to offer the Iona University Student Health Insurance Plan (IC-SHIP).

The IC-SHIP is a platinum-level plan with coverage of 90% in network/70% out-of-network which means that, with few exceptions, there will be low deductibles and the lowest out-of-pocket costs for care while getting the maximum coverage of costs by the plan.

The IC-SHIP plan is offered through Wellfleet New York Insurance Company and the preferred provider network utilized is the Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP) Network.

You can either enroll in IC-SHIP or retain your coverage via a parent’s plan or your current health insurance plan. If you plan to retain your own coverage, you must actively waive coverage under IC-SHIP each year. The deadline to waive for Fall 2023 is September 15, 2023.

Enroll in or Waive Coverage

  • Please click here for instructions on how to waive coverage.
  • For questions about the enrollment or waiver process, contact Wellfleet Customer Service at (877) 657-5030.
  • For questions about whether your waiver has been received by Iona University, contact Student Financial Services at (914) 633 2497 or sfs@iona.edu.
  • For questions about claims and benefits, contact Wellfleet Customer Services at (877) 657-5030 or log into your account to view claims.

You will be required to choose one of two options:

  • Waive enrollment in the IC-SHIP by providing pertinent details of personal insurance coverage; or,
  • Confirm enrollment in the IC-SHIP and register for your plan documents & Insurance ID Card

Proof of Coverage

If you are retaining your own health insurance plan or will be covered by a parent’s plan, you must demonstrate proof of comparable health insurance coverage and actively waive out of the IC-SHIP.

If your waiver is approved by the insurance administrator, our Student Financial Services office will be notified and the insurance charge will be removed from the tuition account, usually within 48 hours.

If you do not waive out of the IC-SHIP by the deadline, you will be automatically enrolled and issued an insurance ID card, and be fully liable for the charge for the plan that will remain on your student tuition bill. Education loans can be applied to cover the cost of the IC-SHIP premium. Our Financial Aid administration office will be able to assist with the loan process and any related loan questions.

How to Waive Coverage

  1. Visit www.wellfleetstudent.com and search for “Iona University.”
  2. Choose “Enroll or Waive,” and then click “Waive.”
  3. You will then need to log in to your existing account or “Create a New Account.”
  4. For authentication, enter your student ID and date of birth.
  5. If you are creating a new account, enter your Iona email address and then enter a new password.
  6. Follow the prompts for two-step verification.
  7. Once logged in, click on the “Waive with Proof of Insurance” button in your account.
  8. Enter all necessary information in order to complete the waiver.
  9. Review and confirm all information that was entered is correct.
  10. Once the waiver has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation number by email and/or phone message. This information will also be in your Wellfleet account.

IC-SHIP Plan Details

The cost for the plan for 2023-24 is $2,774 with coverage extending from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. The spring-only cost of the plan for new students entering in the spring is $1,611. The charge for the IC-SHIP will be included in the eBill issued for the semester and all amounts charged are payable by the published payment deadlines for each term.

The Student Health Insurance Plan is fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act and provides coverage for: Laboratory Services, Emergency Services, Prescription Drugs, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, Maternity Care, Pediatric Services including Oral and Vision Care, Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services and Devices, Ambulatory Patient Services, Preventive & Wellness Services and Hospitalization.

View the Full Plan

We encourage a thorough, detailed review of any current plan along with the details of the IC-SHIP plan. You might find that a family insurance plan does not cover services that are out of your geographic network, so we encourage those with out-of-state coverage or HMO coverage to review their plans closely. Additional guidance and assistance are available from the plan administrator, Wellfleet Student Health at (877) 657-5030.

Your alternate insurance plan must meet all of the following criteria for you to waive IC-SHIP enrollment. Your waiver application will be denied if your plan does not provide all of the following:

  • Routine, non-emergency care as well as emergency care provided in the N.Y. metropolitan area;
  • Treatment for pre-existing conditions (with no waiting periods or exclusions);
  • Essential health benefits as defined by the Affordable Care Act (ACA)*;
  • The plan has a claims administrator based in the U.S., a U.S. telephone number and address for submission of claims, and the insurance policy must have been issued in the U.S.;
  • Coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation expenses;
  • Required for all F1/J1 visa students;
  • Required for all other students only when they will be studying/traveling/doing research outside of the United States during the current academic year;
  • Active coverage from the day the student arrives on campus through July 31, 2021, or the end of their academic/collegiate sports program (whichever comes first); and
  • Must have an annual-of-pocket maximum limit of < $7,550 for individual insurance plans.

Essential Health Benefits

In addition to the criteria noted above, all alternate insurance plans must include the following benefits as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

  • Outpatient care (ambulatory patient services)
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization (treatment for inpatient care)
  • Inpatient and outpatient mental health services and addiction treatment
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Laboratory services
  • Rehabilitative services and devices
  • Inpatient mental health care
  • Preventive services, wellness services, and chronic disease treatment
  • Maternity and newborn care
  • Pediatric services

*The policy is consistent with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the American College Health Association’s Standards for Student Health Insurance Benefits Programs. The underwriter and administrator of the IC-sponsored student health insurance plan also handle student health information in connection with the operation of those plans. The treatment of such information is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the requirements of applicable New York State law.

Health Insurance

Questions About the Enrollment/Health Insurance Waiver Process or Coverage


For questions about the enrollment or health insurance waiver process, contact Wellfleet Customer Service at (877) 657-5030.

For questions about whether your health insurance waiver has been received by Iona University, contact Student Financial Services at (914) 633 2497 or sfs@iona.edu.

For questions about claims and benefits, contact Wellfleet Customer Services at (877) 657-5030 or log into your account to view claims.