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Q&A International Students
Why do I need health insurance?

* Massachusetts requires every enrolled student to have health insurance.
* medical care is very costly in the United States; without insurance you could have very large medical bills

Where should I go if I feel sick?
The Harvard University Health Services (HUHS)

Will I have to pay?

  • No, because you are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Plan which covers your medical expenses with very few exceptions. The exceptions (things not covered) are: 1) dental care except for injuries caused by an accident and extraction of impacted wisdom teeth; 2) eye examinations and purchase of lenses; 3) travel inoculations.
  • In order for your medical costs to be covered, HUHS must be your first stop.
  • If you have waived the Blue Cross and Blue Shield portion of the Student Health Plan, you (or your other insurance) will have to pay for any medical care that is not provided by HUHS.

What is HUHS?

  • A medical facility that provides medical, dental, and health promoting services to the Harvard Community.
  • Open 24 hours a day every day of the year.

Where is HUHS?

  • Main facility: Holyoke Center, 75 Mt. Auburn Street (also accessible from the Holyoke Center walkway via Massachusetts Avenue).
  • Main daytime entrance: the Mt. Auburn side of Holyoke Center; open during regular operating hours (Monday - Friday 8am - 5:30pm).
  • After Hours Urgent Care entrance: at the bottom of the ramp running underneath Holyoke Center between Holyoke and Dunster Streets.
  • Satellite Clinics:
  • Business School, Cumnock Hall, (617) 495-6455
    • Law School, Pound Hall, (617) 495-4414
    • Medical Area. Vanderbilt Hall, 275 Longwood Ave., Boston (617) 432-1370
How do I use HUHS?
  • For acute problems requiring immediate attention such as chest pain, broken bones or severe bleeding,
    • During regular hours, go directly to the Acute Triage Area. Triage is the process of assessing urgent medical needs and quickly getting the most appropriate care. Do not ever delay treatment. Call or come directly to the clinic if you feel that your problem is serious.
    • After Hours Urgent Care is available each night from 5:30 pm until 8 a.m. weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays (tel. 617-495-5711).
    • Please note that clinicians do not make house calls.
  • If you are feeling sick or have a problem that interferes with your studies such as urinary tract problems, rashes, upset stomach, or flu,
    o call your Primary Care Clinician (PCC). An appointment for the same day may be arranged for problems needing prompt attention.
  • For routine medical care. (physical exams, gynecological exams, regular medications, etc)
    • Plan ahead. Because most available appointment time is reserved for immediate health problems, it may take several weeks to schedule an appointment with your PCC for routine care.

What is a primary care clinician? (PCC)

  • Physician or nurse practitioner whom you choose to be your principal caregiver.

Why do I need a primary care clinician?

  • To provide consistent, continuing care from someone who knows you and your medical history.
  • To enable you to call him or her directly for telephone advice.
  • To provide care from a member of your PCC's team if your PCC is unavailable

When should I select a primary care clinician?

  • Now
  • Call any of the HUHS Primary Care Teams:
    • Internal Medicine Team 3 East 495-2001
    • Internal Medicine Team 3 North 495-8414
    • Business School 495-6455
    • Law School 495-4414
    • Medical Area 432-1370
    • Visit the UHS website at www.uhs.harvard.edu
  • Schedule an appointment with your PCC to get acquainted and review your health care needs. That way, if you become ill unexpectedly, you will feel more comfortable because you know your clinician.

What types of medical staff are available?

  • Nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and other medical professionals.
  • Nurse practitioners (RNC) are registered nurses who have a bachelor's degree and additional education, training, and certification. which qualifies them to evaluate, diagnose, and treat many common conditions. They are able to write prescriptions and may be selected as PCCs.
  • Nurses often are the first clinicians that you will encounter. They will help by giving you advice or deciding if you need to see a physician or nurse practitioner.

How do I know whom to choose as my PCC?

  • A listing of Primary Care Clinicians at HUHS with biographical information is available at the first floor reception desk or on the UHS web site (www.uhs.harvard.edu).
  • Select your personal clinician based on this information or with the advice of friends and colleagues. Consider whether you prefer a male or female or someone who may speak your language.
  • Each family member covered by the student's UHS health insurance should also have a personal clinician.
  • You can change your PCC at any time.

How do I make an appointment?

  • Call your PCC's Internal Medicine team If you are unsure of your PCC's phone number, you may call any of the teams for assistance.
  • When you call, be prepared to explain why you need an appointment.
  • The nature of your health problem or illness determines how quickly your appointment will be scheduled, the length of time you will spend with a clinician, and the type of care or treatment you will receive.

What happens during the first appointment with my PCC?

  • A health assistant will take you to the clinician's examination room, ask you some preliminary questions and may check your temperature and/or blood pressure.
  • You may be asked to undress and put on a robe before you are examined.
  • Be prepared to tell the doctor or nurse practitioner about your medical history, all medications, any other kinds of treatment or remedies you are using and any medication allergies you have.
  • Ask your clinician any questions regarding your health, diagnosis, treatment or medications. This kind of conversation between the patient and the clinician is a common feature of U.S. health care.
  • Ask your clinician to write down any instructions that you should follow.
  • Ask if you should schedule another appointment. Your clinician may suggest other resources at UHS for answering questions or meeting other needs.
  • At the end of the exam you will get dressed and leave the robe in the exam room.
  • If you have more questions or problems after you leave the clinic, telephone your clinician for advice or another appointment.

What if I need transportation to HUHS?

  • Call your primary care team during the day or call 5-5711 after hours or on weekends. They will help you to decide the best course of action.
  • If it is a life-threatening emergency, call for emergency assistance by dialing 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). An ambulance and emergency medical practitioners will come to assist you.

What if I need medication?

  • Many medications (such as antibiotics, strong pain relievers, birth control pills, and drugs for respiratory and heart conditions) are available only with a written prescription.
  • Prescriptions, written and signed by a certified clinician, are given to patients during an appointment or after a phone consultation.
  • Medications ordered in a prescription may be obtained only at a pharmacy or drug store. A pharmacist will package your medication and provide written and verbal instructions on how and when it should be used.
  • HUHS operates its own pharmacy located in the Holyoke Center Arcade near the main entrance to UHS. It is open to anyone with a Harvard ID; however, pharmacy staff are only able to fill prescriptions written by UHS clinicians. The HUHS pharmacy offers prescription medications and other drug store items, often at lower prices than other stores. Students may charge purchases to their term bill.
  • The HUHS pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8:45 am to 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
  • To fill a medication when the HUHS pharmacy is closed, take your prescriptions to a local drug store (like CVS or Walgreen's) to be filled.

Will I have to pay for medications?

  • Starting August 1, 2002, you will have to pay only $10/$20 for a month's supply of covered prescription medications.

What if I need to stay overnight in a hospital?

  • If your clinician decides that this is necessary, he or she will make the arrangements.
  • In some instances patients stay at HUHS in Stillman Infirmary. Depending on the illness, some patients are taken to area hospitals.

What services are provided by the Mental Health Service at HUHS?

  • Professional counseling to deal with personal concerns such as adjustment difficulties, relationships, stress management, roommate problems, etc.
  • Crisis intervention for immediate or traumatic stress.
  • Psychologists, mental health nurse specialists, psychiatric social workers and psychiatrists are available for consultations and treatment.

What do these different titles mean at the Mental Health Service?

  • Licensed social workers are often Master's level clinicians who cannot prescribe medications.
  • Mental health nurse specialists can prescribe medications.
  • Psychologists typically have a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and can offer various forms of therapy (except medication).
  • Psychiatrists are practicing physicians, have full medical training, and can prescribe medications.

Why should I use the Mental Health Service?

  • It is often helpful to talk with a professional about issues which may seem too difficult for you to resolve by yourself.
  • Many problems can be resolved in relatively few sessions; therefore, as soon as you are aware that professional help might be useful, please call for an appointment.
  • To ensure your privacy, any notes taken by a therapist about visits to the Mental Health Service are kept separate from your medical record and are available only to mental health professionals. However, your therapist may access your medical record and review it. Any concerns you have about confidentiality may be directed to the Chief of the Mental Health Service or the Patient Advocate (495-7583).

How do I access the Mental Health Service at HUHS?

  • Call 495-2042 during the day or come into the Mental Health Service Office. You may also call one of the satellite clinics for an appointment.
  • To see a specific therapist, ask the receptionist for the next available appointment. Otherwise an appointment will be made for the next available opening.
  • You may request a female or male, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a mental health nurse specialist, or a psychiatric social worker.
  • In an urgent situation, a staff clinician is always available at night and on weekends and holidays. Contact the UHS After Hours Urgent Care number, 495-5711.

What if I need dental care?

  • HUHS has a dental department on site at the Holyoke Center location.
  • Students may sign up and pay for optional dental insurance twice a year only, in September and February. Information about this plan can be obtained by calling or visiting HUHS Member Services at 495-2008 (1st floor of UHS) or by visiting the HUHS website at www.uhs.harvard.edu. Students with dependents may also enroll their dependents in the plan.
  • Students who do not have dental insurance may use the dental clinic on a fee for service basis. Students may make an appointment for routine or urgent dental care by calling the clinic at 495-2063.
  • It may take several weeks to get an appointment for routine care. Patients are encouraged to call well in advance.

Do the clinicians speak only English at HUHS?

  • Most clinicians at UHS speak only English, however there are a few individuals who are bilingual.
  • If you are concerned about using English to discuss important medical information, prepare a list in English of your questions and concerns before you go to your appointment, bring along someone who can translate for you, or ask if there is a clinician or translator who speaks a language you are more comfortable using.
  • If you have difficulty understanding anyone who works at the HUHS, you should feel free to ask him or her to repeat, talk more slowly, or explain more carefully.

Is treatment confidential at HUHS?

  • Medical staff will make every attempt to maintain privacy. Clinicians assume that you will want to be seen alone. If you want someone to be with you during an appointment, be sure to tell both the receptionist and your clinician.
  • The relationship between you and your HUHS clinician is confidential. No one in the University administration or faculty can access information about your medical and mental health without your written permission.

Who do I see if I have a problem with my care at HUHS?

  • The HUHS Patient Advocate, 495-7583. She is available to discuss any aspect of your care with you.

What is the HUHS Center for Wellness & Health Communication (CWHC)?

  • The Center provides information on a wide range of health issues; brochures, flyers videos, the computer terminal and interactive software programs are available to retrieve health information.
  • Health educators are available to talk about many health issues, concerns, and topics either on a walk-in basis or by appointment, call 495-9629.
  • The CWHC is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is located on the 2nd floor of UHS.

Where can I go if I have more questions or concerns?

  • For questions about HUHS insurance coverage, call 495-2008.
  • For concerns about your care at UHS, call the Patient Advocate, 495-7583.
  • For questions about other health matters contact the CWHC, 495-9629.
  • In addition to the UHS website (www.uhs.harvard.edu), more detailed information about how to use UHS is available at the first floor reception desk of Holyoke Center UHS or at the CHWC.
  • The following publications may be helpful:
    • The Guide to UHS
    • The Harvard University Sponsored Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Health Plan for Students and Affiliates
    • UHS Primary Care Clinicians at HUHS
    • The Harvard Student Health Insurance Handbook

Appointments & Daytime Urgent Care:
Internal Medicine - 3 East 495-2001
Internal Medicine - 3 North 495-8414
Mental Health Service 495-2042
Dental Service 495-2063

Nights, Weekends & Holidays:
After Hours Urgent Care & Advice 495-5711

UHS Satellite Clinics:
Business School Health Service 495-6455
Law School Health Service 495-4414
Medical Area Health Service 432-1370

Other UHS Services:
Pharmacy Refill Line 495-9988
Pediatrics 495-4171

Student Resources & Information:
Center for Wellness and Health Communication 495-9629
Member Services - Information 495-2008
Patient Advocate 495-7583

In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or 9-911 from a campus phone.