Health and counseling

Federal Health Insurance Marketplace 

Please be aware:

• Since these plans are income based, this may be a cheaper alternative than the Student Insurance Plan.
• Students who obtain a plan through the Marketplace are given these benefits.
• Federal health insurance marketplace plans and pricing can be viewed here.
• Plans begin either January 1 or February 1, with the ability to join anytime with a qualifying life event.
  •  View a list of what life circumstances are considered a Qualifying Life Event here.
• Check out this checklist of needed documents to sign-up for a plan through the Marketplace.

Medicaid 

Please be aware:

• This is a free public health insurance program that provides coverage to low income individuals.
• Plans are available only for individuals (not families/dependents).
• Plans are state-specific and the threshold for qualifying varies per state. Pennsylvania residents can read more here.

Private Insurance 

Students who are dependents on an insurance plan of their parent(s) can remain covered until age 26

• Will your plan cover medical care and tests done "out-of-network" in Central PA (if applicable)?
• Will you need to travel to your hometown for any medical care?
• If you need to see a health care professional on or near campus, is a referral required from your primary care provider at home?

State-Specific Insurance coverage options may also be available, depending on your home state. Be sure to look into those options as well.

For information about the student insurance plan through Messiah University - available only to our in-person graduate students - see the in-person health insurance information further down this page.

Note: Messiah University and/or its employees cannot affirm the quality of off-campus professional services obtained based on the below information. Any arrangement for service exists only between the provider and the client/student.

Most people consider three issues when seeking a counselor: personal fit, location, and payment options.

Fit: It is a good idea to meet or talk on the phone with a counselor to get a “feel” for that person.

You might also ask some of the following questions:

• What license/education do you have?
• What is your theoretical orientation, and do you counsel from a religious or spiritual standpoint?
• May I see your professional disclosure statement or informed consent paperwork?
• What populations do you have experience working with as clients?
• How much experience do you have working with ___(Insert your concern)___?

Location: Some ways to identify professional helpers near you:

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, clergy, or your physician
• Your health insurance network (preferred provider look-up etc.)
• If employed, many employers have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) which provide free confidential counseling to employees and their families
• Many counseling practices provide telehealth options and there are national providers who are online only. Appropriate credentials should still be verified.

Payment Options:

• If you found the counselor through your insurance company you should verify they are taking new clients with your insurance and confirm the co-pay
• Some counselors don’t take insurance and are pay-as-you go
• Community agencies or counselor/psychologist training facilities (such as universities) will often see clients on a sliding scale that bases your fee on your income.

Other resources for finding a counselor:

• Websites such as: American Counseling Association; American Association of Christian Counselors; American Psychological Association; American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder tool.
• If you live in the state of Pennsylvania, check out free mental health resources here.

All in-person students need to have health insurance, and must either enroll or waive insurance (due to already having coverage).  Students will automatically be enrolled in this insurance if a waiver has not been submitted by September 11, 2026.  

Messiah's student health insurance provider is serviced by Academic HealthPlans (AHP). AHP offers comprehensive student health insurance brokerage and plan administration services to colleges and universities, including dependents.  Here are the steps to take to enroll or waive:

1. Visit https://messiah.myahpcare.com/.
2. Create your own username and password (different from your Messiah login).
3. Follow steps for enrollment, submitting a waiver, viewing benefits, searching for a provider, and more.
4. Complete by the September 11, 2026 deadline.
5. Questions about this insurance or the registration / waiver process can be emailed to messiah@ahpservice.com.

Open enrollment for this health insurance plan for the 2026-2027 plan year will begin on 07/01/2026, with the insurance beginning on 08/01/2026. If you are new to Messiah and would like to buy this insurance and add the month of July 2026, this will be an option for you! Note: Those who purchase the July insurance are enrolled for the entirety of the 2026-2027 academic year, through July 31, 2027.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Student health insurance costs increased dramatically in the summer of 2026, particularly for graduate students. For the 2026-2027 academic year only, Messiah is providing a subsidy for graduate students to match that of a more typical increase, charging $3,405 for the year (a subsidy of $617 per graduate student). Please keep in mind that for the 2027-2028 academic year and beyond, no grad subsidy for cost increases will be given, and likely there will be an additional yearly increase. Graduate students are encouraged to plan accordingly financially if they intend to continue utilizing this company for student health insurance in 2027-28 and beyond, as there will likely be a large increase in cost.  Students who wish to look at other insurance options in 2027-2028 can visit “Health Insurance Options Available to All Graduate Students” on this page: Health and counseling | Messiah, a private Christian University in PA to explore.

For questions about this health insurance plan, email messiah@ahpservice.com.

For questions about your bill or student financial services, email gradfinancialserv@messiah.edu.

If you have other questions, please contact sgpsstudentservices@messiah.edu. 

Graduate students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Athletic Training, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics / Dietetic Internship programs and graduate assistant's working in-person on Messiah's campus may utilize on-campus health services via the Engle Center.

During the fall and spring semesters (excludes summer terms and breaks), the following Engle Health Services are available to the above mentioned graduate students:

• Lab draws ($5 charge)
• Immunization services (vary according to price of vaccine)
• Physicals ($40 fee)
• PPD placement and read ($20)
• Dietician Consults ($20 per visit)

For regular on-going care for chronic conditions (diabetes, depression, ADHD, etc.) , annual physicals, women’s health visits, etc., it is advised that all Graduate Students establish care with a local Primary Care Provider.

Click here for the graduate student physical form.

Graduate students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Athletic Training, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics / Dietetic Internship programs and graduate assistant's working in-person on Messiah's campus have access to TimelyCare, which provides free, 24/7 access to the following services anywhere in the United States, 365 days a year. To create your account or start a telehealth visit, go to https://app.timelycare.com/auth/login and follow the prompt to sign in.

TimelyCare's services include:

• Medical: On-demand access to a medical provider that can treat a wide range of common illnesses like cold and flu, sinus infection, allergies and more
• TalkNow: On-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at anytime
• Scheduled Counseling: Scheduled options to speak to a licensed counselor
• Health Coaching: Access to a nutritional specialist to help students adopt healthier lifestyle behaviors related to sleep issues, weight management and more.

Private rooms for TimelyCare telehealth appointments for grad students are available upon request on main campus and at our winding hill location on a first-come-first-served basis.  Contact sgpsstudentservices@messiah.edu to reserve a space.