Boston University Student Health Services
(Last updated May 26, 1999.)
BU's health center, also called "Student Health Services," is located
near BU's West Campus
(building #6). They provide primary care for BU students for
short-term conditions. Long-term, and conditions requiring a
specialist, are referred out to other doctors (see "Referrals").
Cost
Students taking at least 12 credit hours pay a fee of $38/semester, which
goes toward Student Health Services.
Services
Services at the health center are available to:
- All full-time students (whether on BU Student Medical Insurance
Plan or not).
- 3/4-time students who are on the BU Student Medical Insurance
Plan.
Spouses/dependents cannot utilize the campus health center.
Students Health Services does not service any part-time students (those
that are on less than 3/4-time), whether they are on the BU Student Medical
Insurance Plan or not. (Keep in mind that for those students who are not
taking classes, full-time status is also certified when the student is
in the research stage of their degree.)
The health center provides 3 general types of care on campus:
- health clinic (basic doctor visits and tests)
- mental health services
- infirmary
For each type of care, they only deal with short-term health conditions.
Anything that is long-term will be referred out.
Most services provided by the health center are free (unless otherwise
noted below). This includes seeing doctors and having lab tests.
There are no claim forms to file for these services.
Health Clinic
The health clinic is available on a walk-in basis year-round except
during the week of Christmas and New Year's. During the day (9am-4:30pm),
health services is staffed with:
- 4 doctors (these are general practitioners, not specialists)
- 3 full-time nurse practitioners
During the academic year, they have a small, additional number of
part-time doctors.
There are no specialists available at health services, although the
nurse practitioners handle some basic gynecological care (e.g., pap
smears).
Again, they only treat short-term conditions. Long-term conditions
(e.g., diabetes or chronic skin conditions) will be referred out.
Lab Work/Tests
If health services doctors are treating a short-term condition, they
may have tests performed right at health services. Some of the tests
they can perform are: various urinalyses, mononucleosis, arthritis,
and thyroid tests.
They do not perform any x-ray or other radiological tests at health
services.
Mental Health Services
The health center has a mental health staff, which is available only
during the academic year. Mental health services are available on an
appointment or emergency basis.
On staff they have:
- 1 full-time psychiatrist
- 1 full-time social worker
- other part-time psychiatrists/psychologists
Their psychiatrist can prescribe medication, but coverage of medication
comes under whatever insurance plan you have.
Again, they only treat patients in-house for short-term conditions.
Long-term conditions will be referred out. Some forms of counseling
are done at the King Counseling Center, rather than at the health center.
Infirmary
There is an infirmary available during the academic year. After hours,
an infirmary nurse is on duty. If students arrive after hours
concerning a health condition, this nurse will assess the student's
condition; if the nurse feels that staying in an infirmary bed is
warranted, they will consult with a doctor over the phone before
admitting the student to the infirmary.
Life-threatening problems are best reported to the BU police (easily done
via blue-boxes around campus), since they are mobile and can come to the
patient or notify an ambulance.
The infirmary can handle patients for short-term conditions like:
chicken pox, flu, stomach problems, broken limbs, a day or 2 of
mental health problems, etc.
The infirmary can provide things like:
- food/feeding
- bathing
- basic medication (e.g., aspirin)
- prescription medication (infirmary staff can order medication from
a pharmacy that delivers if the patient has been given a prescription)
Other Services
Other services provided at health services include:
- free flu shots (to students that ask)
- allergy injections (students must bring their allergy serums with
instructions)
- immunizations (at a cost)
- pregnancy tests with follow-up counseling (at a cost)
- Hepatitis A and B vaccinations (at a cost)
None of the services "at a cost" are particularly cheap. They do not
do HIV testing. Routine physicals are not available, although the
nurse practitioners do perform some routine gynecological care.
Referrals
For those on the BU Student Medical Insurance Plan, health center
physicians may occasionally refer you to a doctor/health
center/hospital that is not maximally covered under your insurance
plan. You should confirm that you are being referred to an in-network
doctor with the front desk of the health center to make sure you
receive maximum coverage.
Additional Information
You may call Student Health Services at their main number
617-353-3575. Besides questions about the center, they will try to
answer questions about the BU Student Medical Insurance Plan for those
not able to get an answer from that plan's insurance provider.
To contact the Graduate Student Organization on healthcare issues, send
mail to healthcare@gso.bu.edu.