As a new student at Occidental, your health and well-being is of utmost importance to us.
Our goal is to ensure that every student has access to culturally sensitive and high-quality medical care, psychological counseling services, and student-driven wellness education. On campus, these services are available through the Emmons Wellness Center.
Health Insurance/Health Insurance Waiver
All students must have health insurance through an Affordable Care Act-approved health insurance plan. There are two options for health care insurance: 1) enroll in the College’s student health insurance plan or 2) secure your own health insurance and request a waiver. The deadline to opt in or submit your health insurance waiver is July 3. If you do not actively opt out, you are automatically enrolled in the Oxy Student Health Insurance Plan (OSHIP) and the full amount will be billed to your student account.
Option 1: Oxy Student Health Insurance Plan
The Oxy Student Health Insurance Plan (OSHIP) is a full-service preferred provider organization (PPO) plan through Aetna Student Health that covers primary, specialist, urgent, emergency, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health care locally, nationally, and internationally. There are no breaks in coverage, so you will be covered while on winter and summer breaks. Please be aware: OSHIP is a medical-only plan; dental and vision are only covered as a pediatric benefit. Once a student turns 19 years of age or older, they will no longer have dental or vision benefits under the plan. Below are costs for 2025-26.
Student Health Insurance Plan Summary
| Cost | $3,818 per year | $1,909 per semester |
| Coverage Dates | Fall: Aug. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025 | Spring: Jan. 1 - July 31, 2026 |
| Plan Details |
PPO plan covers primary, preventive, pharmacy, mental health, inpatient, urgent, and emergency care. |
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| Wellness Center |
Insured may utilize Emmons Wellness Center on campus for a $10 copay, $0 deductible, and 100% coverage |
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| National Coverage |
Insured may utilize outside providers for a $25 copay, $150 deductible, and 80% coverage |
Click on the button below if you would like to purchase OSHIP. Once you enroll in OSHIP, you will be able to access and print your health insurance card within 10 business days.
Option 2: Private Health Insurance
If you would like to secure your own health insurance that meets Affordable Care Act approval, you may waive the Oxy Student Health Insurance Plan by filling out an online waiver and providing proof of active health insurance.
Additional Health Documents
In addition to selecting a health insurance plan, Emmons requires new students to submit these additional health forms by July 3:
- Financial Responsibility and Consent to Treatment
- This must be signed by the student and parent/guardian.
- Personal Health History
- This can be completed fully online through the myOxy portal–you do not need to upload a copy.
- Immunization Record
- This document must be signed by a physician, be an official printout from a state record agency, yellow vaccination card, or an immunization record on official letterhead from a hospital, facility, or doctor’s office.
- Physical Exam
- This form is only required of individuals who live on campus and fall into select categories. Please see the form for more details.
All of these forms can be accessed through the Oxy health portal after you activate your oxy.edu account. New student health forms, except for the personal health history, must either be printed, signed, uploaded, or completed electronically.
Keep in mind that all forms are manually reviewed by our medical providers before any holds can be removed. Please allow our medical providers 5-7 business days to process any clearance forms.
Questions?
Visit the Emmons Wellness Center webpage for additional information about the insurance waiver and health forms or contact us at emmons@oxy.edu and we will get back to you within two to three business days.