Handbook | Health and Well-Being
4. Health and Well-Being
UMass provides various options to sustain and improve physical well-being. This includes the services and programs provided by University Health Services as well as several recreational activities provided by various departments. UMass also provides an accessible environment to students with physical disabilities.
a. University Health Services University Health Services (UHS) is a fully accredited campus health center serving UMass Amherst students, faculty and staff, along with their spouses, domestic partners and dependents. UHS provides comprehensive primary care for adults and children, walk-in care, mental health care and many other services and programs. Visit the UHS website, www.umass.edu/uhs, to learn more. Routine medical care is provided on an appointment basis by calling 577-5101; walk-in care is also available 8am - midnight for concerns that can't wait for an appointment. During the hours that the health center is closed to walk-in patients, telephone triage and consultation is available by calling 577-5000. Mental Health Services sees clients by appointment, weekdays between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; emergency on-call services are available 24/7. During business hours, call 545-2337; after hours, on weekends or holidays, call UHS, 577-5000. UHS is not a hospital and does not have an emergency department. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 for ambulance transportation to a hospital.
Student Health Fee
All students taking five or more credits are automatically billed a mandatory Student Health Fee. The fee is not insurance. It works together with primary health insurance, entitling you to be seen at UHS and absorbing many costs not covered by primary insurance. The fee is assessed by semester; benefits are on an annual basis. Graduate students taking less than five credits per semester are eligible for UHS services, but must come to UHS Patient Services before the end of the Add/Drop period to register and pay the Student Health Fee.
Student Health Insurance Plan and Student Family Plan
Massachusetts requires college students to have comprehensive primary health insurance. Students taking five or more credits are automatically enrolled in UMass Amherst's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), offered through Aetna Student Health; charges appear on the semester tuition bill. A family plan is also available to those enrolled in the SHIP. Depending on your coverage and student status, you may be eligible to waive the SHIP. Learn more at the UHS website for insurance information. Massachusetts' Division of Health Care Finance and Policy's website can answer questions regarding Commonwealth of Massachusetts insurance requirements.
Immunization Entrance Requirements Massachusetts law requires college students to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B. Full-time residential students must also be immunized against meningitis or complete a waiver. Proof of immunization must be submitted to the New Student Immunization Program (NSIP) at UHS no later than the end of the Add/Drop period. If you are missing immunizations or do not submit documentation by the deadline, a registration hold will be placed on your record. Download the required form at the UHS website and follow the instructions. It's best to complete your immunizations and submit records to the NSIP before coming to school. If you need immunizations or blood tests after you arrive, they can be obtained at UHS; your insurance plan will be billed.
Medical Care In addition to primary, walk-in and mental health care, UHS offers on-site pharmacy, eye care and optical services, radiology, laboratory, physical therapy, allergy, travel medicine, health education, substance abuse prevention, nutrition, occupational health, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, surgical services, acupuncture and more. Members of the Graduate Employee Organization are also eligible for the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), a free consultation and referral service. All visits to UHS are confidential. No information is released without permission of the student.
b. Dental Plan
Dental coverage is available for graduate students who have an assistantship covered by the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) and who meet the minimum salary requirements. Dentists do not work at UHS, nor is the dental coverage administered by UHS but by GEO and Delta Dental, therefore the dental plan is an autonomous entity separate from the health plan. Please visit the GEO website for more information.
c. Disability Services The University is committed to providing an environment that is accessible and equitable to all qualified students. The Office of Disability Services ensures that reasonable accommodations are made for students with a documented visual, hearing, mobility, or medical disability. Frequently requested services of the Office are: assurance of accessible classrooms, counseling and advocacy, classroom accommodations, awareness workshops, sign language/oral interpreters, and adaptive computer equipment. For further information, contact Disability Services, 231 Whitmore, 545-0892 or go to the Disability Services website. For information about computer services available to students with disabilities, visit the Assistive Technologies Center website. Information about Counseling and Assessment Services can be found here.
d. Recreational Activities The Campus Recreational and Sport Club Program offers various competitive men's, women's and co-recreational activities, including basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, and tennis. Recreational facilities include pools, fitness centers, gymnasiums, tennis courts and squash courts. For schedule and access information, visit the Campus Recreation office, 215 Boyden, 545-2693/0022 or go to the Campus Recreation website. Additionally the Exercise Science Department has one Fitness Center on the campus, providing Nautilus, free-weight, and exercise equipment, and can be used for a fee. For more information, call 545-0324.
Other recreational activities available to students include craft workshops (Craft Shop, 206 Student Union, 545-2096), a radio and television station, as well as many other student interest groups.
