Health Insurance Requirement
Ƶ requires all students that fall under ANY of the below criteria to hold existing health insurance coverage that permits access and utilization of medical care in the Buffalo New York area OR enroll in Ƶ’s Student Health Insurance Plan. Students must have active health insurance coverage for the full academic year.
- Students living in residential housing (including but not limited to Campus Proper, Snyder Park and Collegiate Village)
- Students who have international student status
- Students participating in an intercollegiate sport
- Students participating in the clinical portion of their academic program
If a student fails to complete this process by the semester deadline the student will automatically be enrolled in Ƶ’s student health insurance plan and the premium (annual cost) will be added to the student’s bill.
Ƶ’s student health insurance plan is through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and is compliant with the Affordable Care Act, providing affordable, comprehensive insurance benefits with low prescription costs, telehealth & telecounseling services.
Any student taking 6 credits or more is eligible to enroll and eligible students who do enroll may also insure their dependents. To review the insurance plans and enroll, please visit for plan highlights and an overview.
The health insurance verification process is part of becoming “move in ready” for residential students and part of the athletics pre-season clearance process. Students will be sent additional information on completing this process ahead of the semester deadline.
Ƶ partners with insurance broker Haylor, Freyer & Coon to review and verify each student’s health insurance coverage.
Students that have existing health insurance coverage should visit and choose the WAIVE option and follow the waiver process steps. Health insurance coverage that is submitted must have an effective date that begins prior to the start of classes for the semester in which the student is enrolling.
Students that would like to enroll in the Ƶ Student Health Insurance Plan should visit and choose the ENROLL option and follow the enrollment steps.
Students are not permitted to move into the residence halls and/or practice or play an NCAA sport until their health insurance has been verified.
- Student athletes: In addition to completing the insurance verification process outlined above, ALL student athletes must also submit proof of insurance to the athletics department through the Spry software system. A notification will be sent by the Athletics Compliance office indicating when the Spry systems is available. New student-athletes should refer to the "New Student-Athlete Guide" for instructions.
In an effort to protect against large out-of-pocket costs that may stem from high healthcare expenses, international students are required to enroll in Ƶ’s Student Health Insurance Plan or enroll in a NYS Marketplace equivalent (if eligible). These plans have been vetted and ensures that international students have essential health insurance coverage while in the United States.
- Student athletes MUST be enrolled for the full academic year: 8/01/YY - 7/31/YY. Gaps in coverage are NOT allowed.
- Traveler’s insurance plans are not accepted by Ƶ.
- Student athletes who receive athletic scholarship funds to cover health insurance will be required to enroll in the Ƶ Student Health Insurance Plan.
International Student Athletes who do not enroll in one of these plans could be subjected to out-of-pocket costs and risk not being covered by Ƶ's Secondary Sports Insurance.
For more information on NYS Marketplace insurance options, please visit .
Students participating in the clinical portion of their academic program: Nursing, Physician Assistant, and Physical Therapy are required to have active health insurance that provides comprehensive coverage during the entirety of their clinical experience(s). Enrollment in the Ƶ Health Insurance Plan takes place before the start of each Fall and Spring semester. Please contact the CHIP Center at chip@daemen.edu or 716-839-7380 for more information.
For more information on NYS Marketplace insurance options, please visit