Health Services

Executive Director: Bernette Melby

University Health Center: 577-5000

Mental Health Services: 545-2337

Patient Services-Health Plan Information:
577-5192

New Student Immunization Program: 577-5275

Medical Appointments: 577-5101

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 services, health education, and mental health services. UHS serves University students, staff, and faculty, and their families.

Basic Health Plan (BHP)

All students taking five or more credits are automatically billed for the non-waivable mandatory Basic Health Fee. Coverage begins on September 1 for the fall, February 1 for the spring, and June 1 for summer. The Basic Health Plan is secondary to the student's primary health insurance. Most UHS services are first billed to the student's primary health insurance. Most services that are not covered by the student's primary health insurance will be covered by the Basic Health Plan. Routine eye care services are not covered by the Basic Health Plan but are available on a fee-for-service basis.

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 Insurance Waiver Card to the Bursar with payment of their tuition bill. 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. The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy's Web site, www.state.ma.us/dhefp, can answer questions regarding the Commonwealth of Massachu-setts's insurance requirements.

Students, spouses, same-sex domestic partners, and/or their children may, for an additional fee, join a Family Plan which combines the Basic Health Plan and the Student Health Insurance Plan.

Entrance Requirements

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all students to have adequate immunization. Protection is required against measles (two doses required), German measles, mumps, tetanus, and diphtheria, at the time of enrollment for all students. All entering freshmen and health science students are required to have protection against hepatitis B. By September 2005 all students will be required to have hepatitis B protection. The immunization questions on the New Student Immunization Form, completed and signed by your health care provider, will satisfy this requirement. Failure to have adequate levels of immunization at the time of matriculation will lead to administrative sanctions during the first semester. Please contact your health care practitioner 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 located at the Center include radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, physical therapy, eye care and an Observation Unit. Specialty services such as an allergy and travel clinic are also provided, as are consultation in orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. The co-payment for specialty consultant visits and after-hours care is $10.

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. Contact lenses and eyeglasses are not covered by the Basic Health Plan. The cost of a complete eye exam is $20. 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, 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.

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.