Students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the SVA-sponsored health insurance plan provided by Wellfleet Student. The plan is ACA-compliant and includes access to Cigna’s national PPO network of providers.

You can refer to sva.edu/uhp for the current policy year's plan cost. This plan covers routine screenings, sickness and injury. It does not include dental or vision care or cosmetic procedures.



The annual plan covers students from August 25, 2025 through August 24, 2026.

The 2025-2026 Policy Waiver is now available here. The deadline to submit a waiver is October 1, 2025.

For Cigna-Insured Students

SVA Cigna insurance is a PPO Plan, meaning referrals are not required from a primary care physician nor the insurance company in order to receive health services.

This means that you can directly contact a provider to learn about their availability without going through a doctor nor the insurance company.

SVA Cigna insurance is a school-sponsored insurance plan and that information should be communicated to the provider that you contact. There’s a group number on the insurance card that may be requested by your mental health provider: ST0654SH.

SVA Cigna has a $500 deductible per year. A deductible is an out-of-pocket cost that you must pay toward medical expenses before the insurance company pays its portion (usually a standardized percentage) of the medical expense.

After you pay your $500 deductible, you usually pay only a copayment or coinsurance for covered services.

For more information about SVA Cigna Insurance: School of Visual Arts Health Insurance Plan.

For Internationally or Travelers Insured Students

Most mental health providers in the United States do not accept international insurance or travel insurance. Please check with your health insurance to see what benefits and coverage you have in the US. For more information about SVA Cigna Insurance, including how to waive the student health insurance, School of Visual Arts Health Insurance Plan. International Students: Health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed and approved in the United States and have limited benefits, provider networks, and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the SVA waiver requirements.

NYC 988 is a free Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. NYC 988 offers free mental health support, including a database of local resources. NYC 988 offers English, Spanish, or Mandarin speakers and has access for translators in about 200 languages.

• Call or text 988 to get connected to a counselor
• Chat online at chat.988lifeline.org

Crisis Text Line offers free, around-the-clock support. Text “HOME” to 741741.

• Headway.co: will help connect students with providers who take their insurance if they have: Aetna, Cigna, United, Oxford and Oscar. Can find therapists and make appointments through this site. Typically you may be able to get an appointment fairly quickly. **Most providers provide video/phone sessions during COVID-19.**
• Psychology Today: provides a database of therapists and psychiatrists. You can search based on your zip code, health insurance information, and other preferences you may have. Once you have narrowed down the search you can click on each profile to get more information on the provider and most you can contact through the site. **Most providers will list if they are doing video/phone sessions during COVID-19 on their profile**
• SoHoMD: teletherapy, telepsychiatry and text therapy. They are in-network providers for teletherapy/psychiatry for the following insurances: Aetna, Cigna, and Optum (Oscar, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare). Text therapy is a subscription of $40/week. Typically appointments are available fairly quickly. Phone: (212) 369-6757
• Mindful Care: psychiatric and medication management services are provided but NO individual therapy services are available at this practice. Group therapy services (CBT specifically and has groups for 18-22 year olds). Also offers telepsychiatry. They accept most insurances. Typically appointments are available within 48 hours.
• Comprehensive Therapeutic Services (CTS): has offices in all 5 boroughs. Offers therapy but not psychiatric services. Offers teletherapy. Accepts a majority of insurances and has payment plans. Can request an appointment online. Phone: (212) 658-0977
• Talking for Wellness: teletherapy services and in-person therapy services. Located on W. 27th street. Wait time is usually less than a week. Accepts Aetna in-network and various insurances out-of-network. Free phone consultation. No psychiatric services. Phone (call or text): 1 (917) 283-0738
• Bellevue’s Mental Hygiene Clinic: no teletherapy available. Walk-in/appointment based. Low-cost and accepts most insurances.  

Our office maintains a LinkTree for self-help options in the community, as well as an AirTable database of over 160 local mental health clinicians.

Students who are covered under the SVA-sponsored health insurance plan, Cigna PPO, have access to SilverCloud.

SilverCloud is a digital mental health platform that provides self-guided, online behavioral healthcare, helping students develop skills for managing their emotions and habits.