Health and Wellness

Your mental and physical well-being are fundamental to your ability to do well academically. This page is your source for resources available to help you be your best self.

The Counseling Center

Student seated working at a desk at the Academic Success Center.

Prioritizing mental health for students on campus.

ESF offers short-term mental health counseling on campus. Our professionally trained licensed therapists are available by appointment for solutions-focused counseling and for 24-hour crisis support.

View Services

TimelyCare App

ESF students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services, which include:

MedicalNow: 24/7, on-demand medical care.

TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support.

Scheduled Counseling: Select the day, time, and mental health provider of your choice. (10 visits per year)

Scheduled Medical: Select the day, time, and medical provider of your choice.

Health Coaching: Support for developing healthy behaviors.

Psychiatry: Advanced mental health care, available upon referral.

Basic Needs Support: Get connected to low or reduced-cost community resources.

Self-Care Content: Yoga and meditation sessions and group conversations with our providers on a variety of health and well-being topics.

Visit TimelyCare

Image of a mobile phone displaying the TimelyCare app. TimelyCare [logo]

Medical Care Resources

All full-time in-person students are required to have health insurance — either through their family’s plan or one affiliated with ESF. This ensures students can access health care services when needed, and that ESF students have access to an affordable, cost-effective private insurance plan with benefits that have been carefully reviewed and approved by the College.

Please note: ESF does not have a health clinic on campus, and ESF students are not eligible to use health services at Syracuse University. Below is a list of off-campus health services available.

ESF provides transportation through Uber for residential students to to access off-campus medical appointments for allergy shots, blood work, and urgent care visits.

WellNow Urgent Care

There are several WellNow Urgent Care facilities within an easy distance from campus. Provides a variety of health care services, including x-rays, injuries, physicals, illnesses, and allergies. Accepts insurance.

Syracuse University Pharmacy Services

Students can arrange for their prescriptions to be filled at the Syracuse University retail pharmacy in the Barnes Center.

Syracuse Health Center of Syracuse

Provides health care, reproductive care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing/treatment/vaccines, and transgender hormone therapy (THT).

SUNY Student Telepsychiatry Network (STPN)

Students in need of psychiatric care should meet with the ESF Counseling Center to determine if a referral to SUNY-STPN is appropriate. Call (315) 470-4716 to schedule an appointment.

Upstate Outpatient Pharmacy Financial Assistance Program

Helps patients in financial need purchase necessary medications and supplies.

Fitness Center Access

Front of the Barnes Center at the Arch, Syracuse University.

The Barnes Center at SU

ESF students have access to SU’s health, wellness, and recreation complex that serves as a hub for student wellness.

Features: fitness centers, climbing wall, esports, multi-activity court, weight room, basketball courts, dance studios, table-tennis courts, two pools, showers and changing facilities, and locker rooms.

Learn more about the Barnes Center

Interfaith Space

105B Moon is a contemplative space created for prayer, meditation and reflection. It is available to all campus members.

Insurance Requirement for Students

All full-time in-person students are required to have health insurance – either through their family’s plan or one affiliated with ESF. All full time domestic students are eligible to participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan. Policy details and enrollment deadlines are available below and also on our partner’s website.

HF&C Website

If a domestic student wants to enroll in the health plan for spring only, the deadline to enroll is February 15, 2024.

Fall deadline: September 30, 2023
Spring deadline: February 15, 2024
Annual rate: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024 | $3,018.00
Spring rate: January 15, 2024 – August 14, 2024 | $1,756.53

Rates pending state approval.

What does the plan feature?

The Student Health Insurance Plan offers you:

Affordable, comprehensive insurance benefits
ACA Compliant Plan (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act)
Access to a nationwide network of healthcare providers including primary care specialists and mental health services at: United Healthcare website
- Create or Login to your UHC student account
- You can also download UHCSR’s Mobile App for your smartphone available on the App Store or Google Play

For further details of the coverage including cost, benefits, exclusions, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please refer to the overview policy.

Summary of Benefits

Benefit	In-Network	Out-of-Network
Deductible	$250	$500
Coinsurance	20% Coinsurance	30% Coinsurance
Out-of-pocket Maximum	$8,150	$16,300
Office Visit	$30 Copay, then 20% coinsurance	40% coinsurance after deductible
Specialist Copay	$30 Copay, then 20% coinsurance	40% coinsurance after deductible
Preventative Care	Covered in full	30% Coinsurance after deductible
Urgent Care Center	$30 Copay, then 20% coinsurance	30% Copay then 40% coinsurance
Emergency Department	$50 Copayment	$50 Copayment
Prescription Drug Coverage - 30 Day Supply	Tier 1: $20 Copayment Tier 2: $50 Copayment Tier 3: $80 Copayment	Generic: $20 Copay Brand-Name: $50 Copay

Immunization Requirements

New York State law, SUNY policy, and Syracuse University policy direct the MMR, meningococcal meningitis, and COVID-19 requirements for ESF students.

MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)

All students born after January 1, 1957 who are registered for six (6) or more credits must demonstrate proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella. Students are required to upload their MMR documentation through the ESF Wellness Portal before the first day of new student orientation.

Any student who believes they should be exempted from the MMR requirements must apply for and be granted an exemption by uploading their request and supporting documentation through the ESF Wellness Portal before the first day of Orientation.

Meningococcal meningitis

All students must acknowledge that they have received information about meningitis vaccinations and have made an informed decision to receive or decline an immunization against meningitis. Students are required to upload their meningococcal meningitis documentation through the ESF Wellness Portal before the first day of new student orientation.

COVID-19

Vaccination against COVID-19 is not required by New York State or SUNY.

Wellness Portal