Health & Counseling Services

Supporting Students’ Well-Being

Art by Chenwei Xu

COVID-19 vaccine requirement

Vaccine requirement
The COVID-19 vaccination requirement goes into effect on Sunday, August 1, 2021.

For the fall 2021 semester, all students, faculty and staff will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend in-person classes, study or work on SVA’s campus.

You may upload a digital copy of your vaccination record or exemption application to the secure portal below.

Forms for requesting a medical or religious exemption from SVA’s vaccination policy may also be found in the portal.

Important: please do not email your vaccination card or exemption request to the Health office; upload it through the secure portal.
COVID-19 vaccine portal
International students or students abroad - vaccine requirement
International students or students currently abroad who have been—or who are—unable to obtain one of the WHO-authorized vaccines in their current location may still travel to the U.S. and begin the vaccination process here in New York.

If you need additional time due to lack of availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in your current location, you must complete a Temporary Exemption request - found in the secure portal.

Important: please do not email your exemption request to the Health office; upload it through the secure portal. Your request will not be reviewed if it is not uploaded through the portal.
COVID-19 vaccine portal
Re-opening SVA
Stay up to date with SVA's re-opening plans for returning to campus.
SVA's reopening updates

Cigna PPO FAQ

How Do I Create an Account to Download My Health Insurance Card?

Students enrolled in the SVA health insurance plan receive emails from Wellfleet along with the SVA Health and Counseling Services office at the start of the semester. E-mail notifications inform students to create an account with Wellfleet to access the insurance card.

Please review the below video for instructions on how to create an account.

Credit: Wellfleet

How to Create an Account
How Do I Log in to My Account to View My Card or Claims?
If you have already setup a Wellfleet account, you may login to download a copy of your insurance card and view your claims.
Log In
Credit: Wellfleet

Logging Into Your Account
What Should I Bring When I Go to an Urgent Care Clinic or Doctor’s Office?

Students should bring a form of identification (driver's license or passport) along with a copy of their health insurance card (a screenshot or a physical card).
What Is the Name of SVA’s Health Insurance Plan?
The name of the insurance plan is Cigna PPO (Note: the insurance name is not called Wellfleet).

It is an accidental injury and sickness plan.
It does not cover dental (teeth) or vision.
It is a school-sponsored insurance plan, so students may need to inform the clinician/doctor's office of this before an appointment is made. There's a group number on the card you may need to offer as well: ST0654SH.

Community of Mental Health Providers

A list of clinicians in the mental health community and the insurances they accept

Accessing Mental Health Services Outside of SVA

Steps for Accessing Mental Health Services for Students Without SVA Cigna Insurance

Contact your insurance company by calling the phone number located on the back of your insurance card or exploring the insurance company’s website. Get familiar with your benefits and coverage for mental health care.

Ask your insurance company if you will need a referral from a primary care physician in order to speak to a mental health clinician. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek mental health care.

Ask your insurance company if you will need pre-approved authorization from them or a primary doctor, in order to speak to a mental health provider and if so, how many sessions you will be approved for.

Ask your insurance company if you are only eligible to see a mental health provider who is “in network.*”

*Note: In-network providers are clinicians that are contracted by specific insurance companies to see individuals at a pre-set rate. Depending on the plan, you will pay a flat rate after every visit (or when picking up a prescription) called a “co-payment” which may range in cost depending on the insurance plan (the copayment is usually between $20-65 per session). Not all insurance plans require copayments. When working with an in-network therapist, you will be asked to pay the clinician the copayment at the time of your session. Working with an in-network clinician will generally be the most cost effective way to receive mental health treatment. However, there may be less clinicians in your area who are in-network with your specific insurance.

Ask your insurance company if you have “out-of-network benefits.*”

*Note: Out-of-Network clinicians are not contracted with any insurance company and set their own rates based on their degree, credentials, certifications, and expertise. Some insurance companies will allow individuals to choose any qualified mental health professional. Some insurance companies may provide some financial reimbursement and this is called out-of-network coverage. Often, in-network providers will be more affordable than out-of-network providers but some individuals prefer to see a clinician of their choice, regardless of their status as in-network or out-of-network providers as it offers more options in their area.

If you choose an out of network provider, ask the clinician whether you are expected to pay the clinician their full fee directly at the time of the service and then file an insurance claim with your insurance plan to get reimbursement. Alternatively, a provider may offer to file a claim on your behalf and get paid through the insurance company instead. You may ask your clinician for a receipt of services rendered also known as a “superbill” which you can then submit to your insurance company for reimbursement if the provider doesn’t process the claims for you.
Steps for Accessing Mental Health Services for Students With SVA Cigna PPO Insurance

SVA Cigna insurance does not require pre-approved authorization from a primary care physician nor the insurance company in order to receive mental health services. This means that you can directly contact a mental health provider to learn about their availability without going through a doctor nor the insurance company.

Many providers on our referral list (Community Mental Health Resources) accept the SVA Cigna insurance or will work with you on out-of-network reimbursement.

SVA Cigna insurance is a school sponsored insurance plan and that information should be communicated to the provider that you contact. There’s a group number on the insurance card that may be requested by your mental health provider: ST0654SH.

SVA Cigna has a $100 deductible per year. A deductible is the out-of-pocket cost that you must pay towards medical expenses before the insurance company pays their portion (usually a standardized percentage) of the medical expense. After you pay your $100 deductible, you usually pay only a copayment or coinsurance for covered services.

For more information about SVA Cigna Insurance: School of Visual Arts Health Insurance Plan.
Accessing Mental Health Services for Students with International or Travelers Insurance

Most mental health providers in the U.S do not accept international insurances or travel insurance. Please check with your health insurance to see what benefits and coverage you have in the US.

Some mental health clinics may provide sliding scale options or lower rates for students. Please see our Community Mental Health Resources for more information.

Here you will find other Low Cost Therapy Options in NYC.
Additional resources to begin your search for a mental health provider outside of SVA

Headway.co- will help connect students with providers who take their insurance if they have: Aetna, Cigna, United, Oxford and Oscar. Can find therapists and make appointments through this site. Typically you may be able to get an appointment fairly quickly. To access: https://headway.co/ **Most providers provide video/phone sessions during COVID-19.**

Psychology Today- provides a database of therapists and psychiatrists. You can search based on your zip code, health insurance information, and other preferences you may have. Once you have narrowed down the search you can click on each profile to get more information on the provider and most you can contact through the site. To access: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us **most providers will list if they are doing video/phone sessions during COVID-19 on their profile**

SoHoMD- teletherapy, telepsychiatry and text therapy. They are in-network providers for teletherapy/psychiatry for the following insurances: Aetna, Cigna, and Optum (Oscar, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare). Text therapy is a subscription of $40/week. Typically appointments are available fairly quickly. To access: https://www.sohomd.com/ or call (212) 369-6757

Mindful Urgent Care- psychiatric and medication management services are provided but NO individual therapy services are available at this practice. Group therapy services (CBT specifically and has groups for 18-22 year olds). Also offers telepsychiatry. They accept most insurances. Typically appointments are available within 48 hours. To access: https://www.mindfulurgentcare.com/schedule-appointment-psychiatrist

Comprehensive Therapeutic Services (CTS)- has offices in all 5 boroughs. Offers therapy but not psychiatric services. Offers teletherapy. Accepts a majority of insurances and has payment plans. Can request an appointment online. To access: https://www.cts-nyc.com/ or call: (212)-658-0977

Talking for Wellness- teletherapy services and in-person therapy services. Located on W. 27th street. Wait time is usually less than a week. Accepts Aetna in-network and various insurances out-of-network. Free phone consultation. No psychiatric services. To access: https://talkingforwellness.com/ or call/text: 1-917-283-0738

Bellevue’s Mental Hygiene Clinic- no teletherapy available. Walk-in/appointment based. Low-cost and accepts most insurances. More information: http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/bellevue/downloads/pdf/outpatient-psych-info-5-languages.pdf

NYC Well- 24/7 crisis line and mental health resources. Free of charge. Provides crisis counseling and can connect to other services. Services provided in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Interpreters are available for 200+ languages. To access: Call: 1.888.NYC.WELL Text: WELL to 65173 Chat: nycwell.cityofnewyork.us