University Health Services

University Health Services

Director: Bernette Melby
University Health Center, 577-5000
Mental Health Services, 545-2337
Health Plan Information, 577-5192 www.umass.edu/uhs/
New Student Immunization Program, 577-5275
Medical Appointments, 577-5101
Eye Care Appointments, 577-5244
Speciality Clinic, 577-6511

University Health Services (UHS), an ambulatory care center accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, provides a broad range of services including medical care, eye care services, health education, and mental health services to University students, staff, faculty, and their families. UHS is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the academic year. Services are provided on an appointment basis with the exception of urgent problems, which are treated 24 hours a day through the Urgent Care department. A triage nurse is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to discuss health concerns.

Student Health Fee

All students taking five or more credits are automatically billed for a non-waivable mandatory Student Health Fee. Coverage begins on September 1 for the fall and February 1 for the spring. Medical services provided are billed to the student's primary health insurance company. Most services not covered under the student's primary insurance will be covered under the Student Health Fee, which also provides coverage for commonly used services such as Public Health, Health Education, and Nutrition services.

More detailed information on the services available at UHS is contained in the Basic Health Plan brochure, and on the UHS website.

Student Health Insurance Plan and Student Family Plan

The University offers a Student Health Insurance Plan to provide for hospital and specialty care to students. Students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan unless they fully demonstrate comparable coverage by submitting their online waiver request, which may be done at www.spire.umass.edu or www.Chickering.com. Enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan meets both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the University requirement that all students have adequate comprehensive health insurance. Spouses, same-sex domestic partners, and/or their children may, for an additional fee, enroll in the Student Family plan. Enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan is mandatory for all international students in accordance with University of Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts policies. The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy's website, www.state.ma.us/dhcfp, can answer questions regarding Massachusetts insurance requirements.

Immunization Entrance Requirements

State law mandates that all students have the required minimum immunizations. All entering students must show documented proof at the time of enrollment of: one dose of Td (tetanus/diphtheria) within the last ten years; two doses of measles and one dose of mumps and rubella or two doses of MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella) or positive blood test titers of immunity. New information about the requirements for the meningitis vaccine for 2005 will be available on the UHS website at www.umass.edu/uhs.

The New Student Immunization Form should be completed and signed by a health care provider or other immunization documentations may be attached to this form to satisfy this requirement. This form can be downloaded from the UHS website. Students should contact their health care provider to update their immunizations prior to enrollment.

Note: Failure to have adequate levels of immunization at the time of matriculation will lead to registration holds.

Medical Care

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other health professionals work as a team to provide medical care to students at UHS. On-site facilities include urgent care, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, eye care, physical therapy, and an observation unit. Specialty services such as allergy and travel clinics are also provided, and nutrition specialty clinics are available by referral. Specialties include obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, surgical, and acupuncture. These services are by appointment only and are billed to the patient's third-party insurance. An after hours co-payment of $10 is charged.

Any student who is under medical supervision prior to entrance is urged to have his or her physician write to UHS, giving reports and instructions in appropriate detail. In brief, UHS aims to provide each student with a coordinated and comprehensive program of health supervision formerly provided by the family physician.

All visits to UHS are treated as confidential. No information is released without the consent of the student.

Eye Care Services

The Eye Care Services provides complete optometry examinations, an optician (eyeglass services), emergency eye care, and a comprehensive contact lens service.

There is a $20 co-payment for the complete eye exam. Contact lenses and eyeglasses are available on a discounted fee-for-service basis. Students are offered a 10 percent discount on all frames and eyeglass lenses (which cannot be combined with other insurance discounts). Emergency eye care treatment is billed to students' primary insurance.

Mental Health Care

Psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist provide services to individuals, couples, children, and families. The brief intervention model includes 24-hour and year-round emergency services, a behavioral medicine clinic, eating disorders clinics, group programs, medications prescribed by psychiatrists and a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, and consultation and education services to community groups and organizations. The multicultural staff, sensitive to a variety of needs and backgrounds, have various interests and skills, and can be matched to a client's interests and needs. The Student Health Fee covers up to six visits per semester for psychotherapy. Medication services provided are billed to the student's primary health insurance.

Health Education and Outreach

Health promotion programs address a wide range of issues through workshops, peer education programs, special events, for-credit courses, consultations, theater performances, media advocacy, and printed materials. Through proactive outreach and risk reduction programs, students are supported in identifying personal health risks and making health-enhancing choices in their lives. Topics include alcohol and other drugs, tobacco control, sexual health, body image, eating disorders, stress management, HIV/AIDS, relationship violence, women's health, men's health, international student health, nutrition, and athletic health enhancement.