BuffCare Supplemental Coverage Program
BuffCare is only available to students with private health insurance.
- BuffCare can reduce out-of-pocket costs for medical services provided on campus after your primary insurance has been billed.
- BuffCare is a good option for all private insurance plans and can be especially helpful for those with high deductible, out-of-state or state-sponsored health insurance plans, such as Medicaid.
The Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is recommended for international exchange and J-1 students to cover on- and off-campus services. Medical Services does not bill international health insurance plans.
Program overview
Students with private health insurance can enroll in BuffCare to help cover out-of-pocket expenses for on-campus services provided by Medical Services. There is no limit for covered services.
BuffCare covers expenses for:
- Co-pays
- Coinsurance
- Deductibles
- Out-of-network costs incurred during care received on campus at Medical Services
Please note: BuffCare does not replace insurance and can only be used for services received at Wardenburg Health Center after your primary insurance has been billed. If you have a lapse in health insurance coverage, BuffCare cannot be used.
Cost
BuffCare is available to purchase for $270 per semester.
Enrollment and coverage dates
BuffCare provides coverage from fall through summer unless you change your selection during the next enrollment period.
You must be enrolled in 6+ undergraduate credit hours or 1+ graduate credit hour to access the portal.
Spring
- Open enrollment begins: Dec. 1, 2026
- Open enrollment deadline: Feb. 1, 2027
- Coverage dates: Jan. 1, 2027 to July 31, 2027
Summer only
If you would like to enroll in BuffCare outside of the open enrollment period, please call our office at 303-492-5107 or email studentinsurance@colorado.edu.
Please note: In order to use BuffCare, you must enroll during the open enrollment period or within seven (7) days of your first appointment with Medical Services.
BuffCare benefits
BuffCare covers a variety of services at Medical Services.
- Primary care
- Illness and injury care
- Lab services performed at Wardenburg (e.g. strep, flu, and most STI testing)*
- Preventive care, including annual physicals
- Sexual and reproductive health
- X-ray services
- Initial travel clinic visit (excluding after-hours and weekend appointments)
- Two physical therapy visits
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Meningitis A, C, Y, and W-135 vaccine
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunity testing
- Tuberculosis (TB) testing – IGRA or PPD
*Testing that is sent out to a reference lab is billed through your primary insurance by the reference lab. Please inquire at the time of lab testing for further details.
- After-hours and weekend travel clinic appointments to meet visa application deadlines at times of high demand
- Counseling and psychiatric care
- Nutrition counseling
- Prescription drugs
- IUDs and contraceptive implants
- Travel vaccinations (yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, and rabies)
- Meningitis B vaccine
- Ultrasound services
- Nitrous oxide anxiolysis for procedures
How BuffCare works
You receive care from Medical Services on campus.
Medical Services bills your primary insurance company.
BuffCare pays the remaining balance for covered services instead of applying the balance to your tuition account.
Contact us
If you have questions, please contact the Student Health Insurance office.
Office hours
Summer
Monday–Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fall and spring
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campus location
Wardenburg Health Center, 2nd floor