Medical Leave of Absence - MLOA

DU Student Outreach & Support (SOS) manages all student Medical Leave processes, in concert with the Registrar’s office and academic units. Students considering this option, and/or returning from Leave, should work directly with SOS.

NOTE: Students who simply do not enroll in future terms (do not register by posted deadlines each term, and are not on approved leaves of absence) will lose their Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) coverage retroactive to the end of their last enrolled term, and will be ineligible to receive services from the Health & Counseling Center (HCC) while not enrolled. Visit our Leaving DU page for more information on insurance and care "after" DU.

It is best to work with SOS and/or your academic program to formally withdraw, transfer institutions, or otherwise formally pause or end your student status.

 

  • Can HCC clinicians complete MLOA-required provider documents?

    HCC clinicians may complete documentation at their discretion, based on an established care relationship with the student. (Students cannot visit once and expect MLOA recommendations.) Students are best served to discuss MLOA needs and documentation with providers they regularly receive care from.

  • MLOA impact on Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) coverage

    Students who are approved for a Medical Leave of Absence can continue their SHIP insurance coverage through the coverage term in which they initially take the Leave. So, quarter calendar students' coverage will continue through fall and winter quarters if Leave is approved in fall or winter, and through spring and summer if approved in spring or summer. Semester (Law) students' coverage would continue through fall semester for fall approved-Leave, and through spring and summer for spring or summer-approved Leave.

    Note that this non-enrolled continued coverage is only possible twice during a student’s time at DU. (So if a student takes additional Leaves later, their SHIP coverage would end immediately, and could begin again when they re-enroll at DU.) 

    These limitations are because the policy is specifically designed as a student Plan. Any such Loss of Coverage would usually be a "qualifying life event," allowing you to join non-DU plans while not enrolled.

  • MLOA and SHIP refunds

    The HCC largely follows the DU Bursar’s office (Student Billing) lead on refunds. So, if a MLOA is approved early enough, and Bursar refunds that quarter’s tuition charges, we’re usually able to refund the SHIP premium for that period as well if the student has not used services for SHIP claims. (Note that a refund of the SHIP premium means the student would not have SHIP coverage.) However, if the student has used SHIP benefits via HCC or other providers, then we cannot refund the in-use Plan; these students’ coverage would continue through that coverage term as above.

    So, SHIP coverage (and payment) are not lost just because a student takes MLOA.

  • MLOA impact on receiving services at the HCC

    Students who are not enrolled at DU (including on formal Leaves) are NOT eligible to receive services provided at the HCC. This is the same as being ineligible for campus housing and other DU services when not enrolled; and also because many Leave situations are beyond the level of care the HCC can provide --we would have referred out anyway. So, a student on approved MLOA would need to start using their SHIP insurance coverage at an off-campus healthcare provider. 

    HCC providers will work with the student to transition them to an off-campus/home provider.

 

Because some details are situation- and timeline-specific, we encourage students/their designees to contact us about their specific situation, even as they consider taking Leave. They can call the HCC front desk (303.871.2205) to get connected.