Reasons to use BuffCare
Cost-effective
Coverage costs $250 per semester, and there is no limit for covered services.
Convenient
BuffCare covers out-of-pocket costs for on-campus medical care including co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles and out-of-network costs.
Simple
Students just need to bring their insurance card and student ID to check in for their appointments.
Dates, deadlines and costs
Students who have private insurance have the option to enroll in the BuffCare Program. In order to take advantage of BuffCare benefits, you must sign up during the open enrollment period or within seven (7) days of your first appointment with Medical Services.
Please note: You must be enrolled in BuffCare to cover out-of-pocket expenses at CU Boulder. Charges will only be retroactively covered and refunded within the enrollment window or within seven (7) days of your first visit.
Fall 2023
Coverage period:
August 1 - December 31, 2023
Open enrollment period:
June 13-September 15, 2023
Enrollment deadline:
September 15, 2023
Cost: $250
Spring 2024
Coverage period:
January 1 - July 31, 2023
Open enrollment period:
December 12, 2023 - February 13, 2024
Enrollment deadline:
February 13, 2024
Cost: $250
Summer 2024
Coverage period:
May 1 - July 21, 2024
Open enrollment period:
April 13 - May 31, 2024
Enrollment deadline:
May 31, 2024
Cost: $250
*Please note: The insurance portal is not available over the summer. Students wanting to enroll in summer insurance coverage will need to call 303-492-5107 or email studentinsurance@colorado.edu.
Using BuffCare at CU Boulder
Students can use BuffCare to cover a variety of out-of-pocket expenses after their primary insurance has been billed. Here is how it works:
A student receives care from CU Boulder Medical Services.
Medical Services bills the student's primary insurance company.
Instead of applying the remaining balance to your tuition account, BuffCare will pay the remaining balance for covered services (listed below).
BuffCare covered services
BuffCare covers a variety of services provided by Medical Services. However, some services are not covered.