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 the University Health Services ( http://www.umass.edu/uhs/ ) as well as several recreational activities provided by various departments (http://www.umass.edu/umim/recfac.html). UMass also provides an accessible environment to students with physical disabilities.
a. University Health Services (UHS) University Health Services (UHS) is an ambulatory care center accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. UHS provides comprehensive services including medical care, eye care, health education, and mental health services. UHS serves University students, staff, faculty, and their families. UHS is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the academic year.
Student Health Fee
All students taking five or more credits are automatically billed for the non-waivable mandatory Student Health Fee. Coverage begins on August 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. Services are provided on an appointment basis (by calling 577-5101) 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. However, if you have an urgent problem call 577-5229 and speak to the Triage Nurse who will direct you to best course to treatment. (After 4:30 PM, call 577-5000.) Spouses, same-sex partners, and/or children may, for an additional fee, enroll in the Student Family Plan.
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 an online waiver request. Please go to www.spire.umass.edu or www.Chickering.com to submit a request. Enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan is mandatory for all International Students in accordance with the University of Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts policies. 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. Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy's Web site, www.state.ma.us/dhefp , can answer questions regarding Commonwealth of Massachusetts insurance requirements.
Immunization Entrance Requirements State law mandates that all students have the required 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 forth coming and available on the University Health Services website. 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. This form can be downloaded from the Health Services' website at http://www.umass.edu/uhs/pages/nsip2003.html#wherensip . Note : Failure to have adequate levels of immunization at the time of matriculation will lead to registration holds. Please contact your health care provider to update your immunizations prior to enrollment.
Medical Care
Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other health professionals work as a team to provide medical care to students at the Health Center. Complete facilities at the Center include urgent care, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, physical therapy, and an observation unit. Specialty services such as an allergy and travel clinic 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/her physician write to the Health Services, giving reports and instructions in appropriate detail. In brief, the Health Services attempts to provide each student with a coordinated and comprehensive program of health supervision formerly provided by the family physician. All visits to the Health Services are treated as confidential. No information is released without the permission 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. Appointments are made by calling 545-2337. The brief intervention model includes 24-hour and year-round emergency services; a Behavioral Medicine Clinic; an Eating Disorders Clinic; 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. Medical services that are provided are billed to the student's primary health insurance. In the case of an emergency, between 8am and 5pm, call 545-2337 and ask to speak with an on-call clinician. After 5pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays, call 577-5000 and ask to speak with the Mental Health on-call clinician, or come directly to the University Health Center.
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. The Student Health Advisory Board works with the Health Services staff in reviewing policy, evaluating services, and initiating and developing new programs. Students are urged to participate in the activities of the Board. Educational materials, including posters and pamphlets are available at the Health Education Division office. Call Health Education and Community Outreach at 577-5181.
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 at http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~geo/gp/dental.html 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 http://www.umass.edu/disability/ . For information about computer services available to students with disabilities, visit Computer Services at http://www.oit.umass.edu/atc/faq.html . Information about Counseling and Assessment Services can be found at: http://www.umass.edu/counseling.
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 http://www.umass.edu/campusrec. 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 http://www.umass.edu/rso/craftctr/index.html (Craft Shop, 206 Student Union, 545-2096) and a games room (Games Area, Student Union, 545-2527), both of which charge fees for participation.
