The BuffCare Program provides peace of mind by reducing out-of-pocket costs for medical services provided on campus after your primary insurance has been billed.
This includes illness prevention and treatment, injury care and other services provided at Wardenburg Health Center and at Health and Wellness Services in the Village Center at Williams Village.
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 or personal insurance can enroll in the BuffCare Program anytime. In order to make the most of your BuffCare benefits, we recommend enrolling at the beginning of the semester before your first health visit.
Please note: You must be enrolled in BuffCare to cover out-of-pocket expenses at CU Boulder. Charges cannot be retroactively covered or refunded once incurred.
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.