Dean of Students

Unless waived in online through Cardinal Students, medical (health) insurance is required of all full-time students (domestic and international), and all part-time international students. Evidence of alternate coverage must be provided to obtain a waiver. Part-time domestic students may purchase the university’s health insurance plan upon request. Any student incorrectly billed for insurance must provide notification before the end of late registration of the semester in which the incorrect billing occurred. The policy provides coverage from Aug. 14 through the following Aug. 13. Student medical coverage is not refundable or transferable. The domestic student is covered whether or not he or she remains a student at CUA for the full policy period. International student coverage terminates when the student returns to the student’s home country. Any student enrolled in the insurance plan may enroll his or her spouse and/or dependents by direct application to the insurance company.

What is Student Health Services?

Student Health Services operates an outpatient primary healthcare facility for students. In addition to providing medical care for illnesses and injuries, a team of medical professionals are actively involved in campus health education. The staff helps students better understand the nature and causes of medical problems and injuries, the importance of treatment and prevention. To promote lifelong wellness and to support academic success, students are encouraged to learn how to reduce their risk of disease and injury, and to make appropriate lifestyle choices.

Who staffs Student Health Services?

The Student Health Services staff includes a board-certified family physician and three certified nurse practitioners. A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing and advanced clinical education (usually two years) in a health specialty, such as primary care. NPs are board certified with ongoing continuing education requirements similar to that of physicians, and also have pharmacy prescriptive privileges. The staff also includes an office manager and a licensed practical nurse who serves as a triage nurse. There are always at least two health care providers available to see patients Monday through Friday during business hours.9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1p.m. to 5 p.m.

When is Student Health Services open and what services are available?

Student Health Services is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is understood that students have schedules to keep and given this, students are encouraged to make appointments whenever possible. Emergencies are always given priority. Service is provided for all medical problems from the most mundane to the more complex. Should a specialty referral be necessary, arrangements can be made. Student Health Services is a “specialist” in caring for the college-age population and promotes wellness through counseling and education regarding positive health behaviors.

What should my son or daughter do when Student Health Services is closed?

After-hours coverage is provided by the family physicians at Fort Lincoln Family Medicine Center. If a student has a medical problem or injury that cannot wait until routine office hours, the student should call the Providence Hospital operator at 202-269-7000 and identify himself or herself as a CUA student. The family practice physician will either give phone advice or ask the student to report to the emergency room physician. These instructions are on the Student Health Services answering machine and website.

Should an illness or injury occur that requires hospitalization, the student will be admitted to Providence Hospital and be cared for by the family practice physicians. Providence Hospital is a Catholic community hospital run by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and is located within one mile of the university.

Who pays for medical care? Is health insurance necessary?

There is no charge to be seen at Student Health Services. There are, however, fees for on-site lab testing, nebulization treatments and certain medical supplies. These fees can be billed to student accounts, or the student can pay at the time of service.

All students are required by the university to have health insurance coverage. Health insurance is not required for visits to Student Health Services but is required for any lab or X-ray studies requested by the physician or nurse practitioner. Any medical care received outside of Student Health Services is the responsibility of the student and parents. Check the details of your health insurance coverage. Students who purchase the student health insurance plan receive a booklet that explains the details of their coverage. It is essential that students who are not covered under the student health insurance plan have a duplicate card or at the very least a copy of their health insurance information in their possession. Students covered by the university’s plan are issued a card. Please check with your health maintenance organization carrier to see what services are provided for your son or daughter when they are out of state. All students, regardless of their insurance coverage, are eligible to be seen at Student Health Services.

Will someone call me whenever my son or daughter is ill?

When students have a significant illness or injury, they are encouraged to sign a consent form that gives the Student Health Services staff permission to speak with the parents. If the student desires, a call can be initiated.

All health service records are confidential. No medical information will be released, either verbally or in writing, without the patient’s written permission. This restriction on information release applies to parents, faculty and university staff. With your son or daughter’s permission, the staff can speak with you regarding the illness or injury. At every visit the student is offered an opportunity to sign a release to speak with a parent about that day's visit. Any student who is referred by Student Health Services to the emergency room is given the option and encouraged to call his or her parents prior to leaving Student Health Services. Student Health Services does not have an infirmary. If a student is considered too unstable to return to his or her room, he or she will be transported to the emergency room where he or she may be kept for overnight observation. With the students permission, the Student Health Service staff notify the Office of the Dean of Students and/or the area coordinator or the resident assistant that the student has been transported to the Emergency Room and may require additional assistance in the residence hall. The decision of whether or not the student should return home to convalesce is left to the discretion of the parents and the student.

How does my son or daughter get a prescription filled?

Student Health Services has an on-site pharmacy system. Students are able to obtain filled prescriptions for most medications at the time of their visit. Since April 1, 2003, a federal law, HIPAA, prohibits Student Health Services from utilizing a student’s prescription benefit as a method of payment. There are two options for filling a prescription through the on-site pharmacy. The first is that the student’s prescription can be dispensed and the cash amount billed to their student account. A receipt is given to the student that includes the diagnostic code they will need to seek reimbursement from their insurance company. Student Health Services cannot guarantee reimbursement. The second option is that the student may pay by cash, check or money order when filling their prescription. Prescriptions may also be filled at any local pharmacy of the student’s choice. There are two pharmacies located within walking distance of the university; one is located within the CVS store at 3601 12th Street, N.E. (202-529-8559) and the other is located at Providence Hospital (202-269-7856). A third pharmacy, TSCHIFFLEY(202-408-5178), is located in Union Station, a short metro ride away.

Since my son or daughter had all the immunizations when he or she was younger, why do they need to be repeated?

In recent years there have been outbreaks of measles and mumps across the country, including in Washington, D.C. Measles, mumps and rubella are 100 percent preventable by vaccination. Since February 1991, District of Columbia law requires that all students under the age of 26 must have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) on or after their first birthday. Vaccines given prior to the first birthday may not have conferred immunity because the child’s immune system is not fully developed before that time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that a booster or second MMR is necessary to provide immunity for those who have none, and to strengthen waning immunity in others. A tetanus/diphtheria booster (Td) is required every 10 years. Students under the age of 19 must provide the date of their last polio vaccination.

In addition ,three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine and Varicella vaccine or history of chickenpox is required for all students under 26 years of age. The meningitis vaccine is required for all incoming freshmen. After reading the facts about meningitis, a student may defer the meningitis vaccine by signing a waiver which may be downloaded from our website.

The official CUA Immunization Form with written documentation of vaccination dates is required. Immunization data that is not recorded on the official form will not be accepted and will be returned to you. This form is also available on our website. In order for the student to register, the immunization record must be up-to-date. It is recommended that students receive immunizations at home prior to leaving for school. However, immunizations will be provided during registration, for which the student will be billed through student accounts. Please mail records early to avoid delays at registration. Please make a copy of your records for yourself in case of a discrepancy.