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.

NOTE: Students are required to have health insurance. Students who forget to waive the school health insurance will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the school's student health insurance plan through Aetna. Fall Waiver deadline: 9/11/25. Spring/Summer Waiver deadline: 2/12/26. 

Student Insurance Plan 

Please be aware:

• This insurance is available only for graduate students in Athletic Training, Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and also Higher Education Graduate Assistants. Insurance must be waived if the student is covered by an approved health care plan.
• The student health insurance plan sponsored by Messiah University is a PPO plan underwritten by Aetna. It is an ACA compliant plan that offers accident and sickness coverage worldwide for a full year, August 1st of one year to July 31st of the following year.
• Dependent and family plans are available through this student plan at an increased rate.
• There have been some incidences with high-deductible plans, out-of-state Medicaid plans, and HMOs that have hindered students trying to access healthcare from local community resources. We strongly recommend that you check with your insurance provider to assure continued health insurance coverage while at Messiah University, specifically for diagnostic testing (lab work and x-rays) and referrals to specialists. Some HMOs offer guest membership plans which provide healthcare benefits to continue at the same level when away from home. Please contact your HMO insurance provider to find out if this option is available.
• Please Enroll/Waive coverage here and find more information on our student health insurance plan. Follow the process to select your name.  If your name is not appearing, contact sgpsstudentservices@messiah.edu. For any questions regarding the insurance, please contact Messiah@rcmd.com.

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.