Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Student Health Services located?
Student Health Services is on Glenbrook Road, next to the Chemistry Building. Counseling and Mental Health Services is located behind SHS in the Student Health Services Annex.
How do I get there?
Bus: Refer to the Transportation website for bus routes.
Car: We suggest you park in the North Garage. There is 30-minute parking available in 4 parking spaces in front of our building. You must sign the logbook in our lobby upon entry. Please note that there are two additional parking spaces that are for ambulance and handicapped vehicles.
Is there a charge to be seen by a provider?
Student Health Service utilizes "fee for service" billing. SHS charges office visit fees (comparable to those at a private healthcare provider's office) each time a student receives care from a medical care provider.
There may be additional fees for services including laboratory, radiology or pharmacy services, annual gynecological exams, counseling and mental health services, or visits with specialists (e.g. orthopedic clinic.)
What's the difference between a nurse practitioner and a doctor?
A nurse practitioner (aka NP or APRN) is a registered nurse with additional education so that (s)he can assess, counsel and prescribe medication to patients as needed. NP's work with the doctors at Health Services.
Are chargeable services automatically billed to my insurance company?
Student Health Services is recognized as a participating provider and directly bills the following insurance companies/plans:
- Aetna, including Aetna Student Health
- Anthem Blue Cross / Blue Shield
- CIGNA
- ConnectiCare
- HealthNet
- United HealthCare
If you have one of these plans, we will submit the claim directly to your insurer on your behalf. Any co-pays, deductibles or cost shares will be billed to your student fee bill once the EOB (Explanation of Benefits) is received by Student Health. This typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
What happens if I get sick after hours?
There is an after-hours Advice Nurse available whenever the SHS is closed. This nurse will advise you what to do depending upon the situation you describe. Of course, when we are open, an Advice Nurse is always available at SHS to assess and treat as needed.
How do I reach the Advice Nurse ?
Call 486-4700 and follow the menu prompts. The Advice Nurse is located off campus when the SHS is closed and will return your call. If you do not receive a return call within 15 minutes, it is important that you recall the answering service so that they can recall the Advice Nurse and assure connection with you.
Can I refill an existing prescription on campus and where?
The pharmacy on campus, located in the Student Health Services, is licensed such that they can only fill prescriptions written by Student Health Services clinicians. You may make an appointment to speak to one of our physicians or nurse practitioners by calling 486-2719. In most cases they will do a quick re-evaluation and write the prescription you need so that you can fill it on campus. If you choose not to do this, check the Yellow Pages under "Pharmacies" to select one to fill your prescription.
Remember - you MUST bring your prescription insurance card and student ID with you every time you fill a prescription!
How is confidentiality assured at Student Health Services?
All medical care at Student Health Services is confidential. Health care records are completely separate from all other university records. Student Health Services staff members confer with one another as needed to provide integrated medical care for you. Otherwise, Student Health Services will not release any information about you without your written permission, except for regulatory or quality assurance audits or as authorized or required by law, or as necessary in our judgment to protect you or others from a serious threat to health or safety. If a patient wishes to allow a release of information from his/her records, the Authorization for Release of Health Information is available on our forms page.
If you have any questions regarding the release of health information, please contact:
- UConn Student Health Services
Privacy Officer
(860) 486-0747
We recently visited UCONN for the Freshman/Parents Orientation and were told that there is an on-line Health Waiver form that can be found on your website but I had no luck in finding one.
The Insurance Waiver process is described on our insurance page. It requires that the student log into their Student Administration (PeopleSoft) account to complete the waiver.
If you are looking for the Health History form, you can find it on the forms page.
On the Vaccination History section of the health history form it states that this section should be filled out by your health care provider. What if you don't have a designated health care provider, but do have the appropriate information requested on the form. How does one go about getting this section filled out?
You should fill out the information yourself. Then attach photocopies of the source of the information (e.g. pages from your Baby Vaccination Booklet or other document you were given at the time of vaccination.)
I have been on "the pill" since August, but I have had problems getting my insurance to cover it so it has been costing me $30 a month. Is it possible to get it through school for less money?
You need to be seen in the Women's Clinic at the Student Health Service for a full gynecological exam and pap smear. If you have already had a recent exam with another doctor, we will accept a copy of pap results but we still need to do the physical exam. Oral contraceptives are available to any UConn student without parental permission.
My major is in a health-related field. What activities can I get involved in at SHS?.
SHAC (the Student Health Advisory Committee,) Peer Educators, student employment, internship/externship opportunities and Wellness & Prevention programs.
Does Student Health Services offer eye exams?
No, but the Student Health Services Advice Nurse can provide you with a list of local optometrists and ophthalmologists. Call (860)486-4700.
If I decide to be put on birth control pills through the school's services, how will my prescribed pills be paid for? Is there a way to pay for them without notifying a parent?
As with any prescription, you may choose one of three methods of payments: cash, check or charge to university fee bill. Cash and check are the only way to insure your parent does not inadvertently see the charge on the fee bill. Most insurance plans are now covering oral contraceptives, however, our experience has been that the insurance copays (which tend to range from $6 to $30 per pill pack) can often exceed our own student pricing.
Is HIV testing at the Student Health Service confidential?
HIV antibody testing at the Student Health Service is done on a CONFIDENTIAL basis. This means that your test result will be documented in your medical record and held in strictest confidence. Information will not be released to anyone without your written permission. Anonymous testing (where the client's name and test result are never linked) is available at Connecticut Alternative Test Sites; call Health Education at 486-0772 for a referral. To make an appointment for HIV testing at the Health Service, call 486-2719 and tell the receptionist that you are interested in getting an HIV antibody test.
THINGS TO REMEMBER!
- Always bring your medical insurance card and student ID with you.
- Allow enough travel time, whether it is on foot, by bus or car. If you are late, you will need to reschedule your appointment.
- If you do not show up for a scheduled appointment, you will be charged a No Show fee.
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Need to Know
- Please refer all questions regarding Meningitis Vaccinations to shs@uconn.edu
- Graduate students with graduate assistantships must contact the University's Human Resources department for all questions regarding Health Insurance Plans that are a benefit of your employment.
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