APPOI
NTM ENTS
Make
an appointment to see your provider. All students attending
the University have been assigned to a primary healthcare
provider (PCP). This may be a physician, physician assistant,
or nurse practitioner. Appointments can be made for all
clinics by calling (202) 806-7540. If you must cancel
or reschedule, please give us 24 hours notice; this allows
us to move other students who are waiting for appointments
into your slot. Students not reporting on time for appointments
may be rescheduled for another time.
URGENT
CARE
If
you are acutely ill but think that you can wait 24 hours
to be seen, call ahead for an appointment the following
day. Talk with the advice nurse (1-866-509-7715) who is
available 24 hours a day, if you are not sure. The nurse
can assist you in deciding whether to wait or to come
in right away for evaluation. Of course, you can always
walk in if you feel that you are too ill to wait or call.
The student health center staff will take the appropriate
steps to provide you with appropriate care.
LIFE
THREATENING EMERGENCIES
Call
911 for ambulance services if there is a life threatening
medical emergency. Tell the operator the nature of the
emergency, your name, address, and room number or apartment
number. If you are in one of the residence halls, notify
the office or resident assistant (RA) of the emergency
also. Remember, Emergency Ambulance service is for emergency
transportation only and not for routine transportation.
Unauthorized use of the ambulance will result in you,
the student, paying for the service.
TRANSPORTATION
TO THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER OR HOSPITAL
If
non-emergency transportation is needed from the dormitory
to the Student Health Center or to the Howard University
Hospital, staff personnel in the residence hall shall
be notified who will place the telephone call to the Campus
Police or to an ambulance for the transport. The ambulance
service shall only be used for emergency/life-threatening
conditions. The number for the campus police is (202)
806-1100. Failure to follow these procedures may result
in the student paying for the ambulance cost.
WHERE
TO GO TO FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS
The
Student Health Center does not operate a pharmacy. The
2008-2009 Student Health Insurance Plan does not provide
coverage for medications other than as a result of an
injury. Prescriptions written by any physician, including
the Student Health Center providers and other Howard University
Hospital physicians, may be filled using your prescription
drug discount card. If you have drug coverage through
any other insurance, follow the instructions provided
by that insurance plan. Students must present their 2008-2009
Howard University Student Accident and Sickness Insurance
card to be eligible and to receive the discount.
How
to use your prescription drug discount card:
Find
a pharmacy near you by calling Member Services at 800-800-7616
Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. or
checking www.rxpricequotes.com. Present your ID card along
with your prescription to the pharmacist. The pharmacy
computer system will compare our contracted discount price
with the pharmacy’s retail price when the prescription
is processed. You pay the lower of the two prices directly
to the pharmacy at the point of sale.
Please do not call the pharmacy for price quotes. Prices
may change from day to day, and they cannot be given over
the phone. Visit www.rxpricequotes.com to look up drug
prices by location.
If your pharmacy happens to be selling any maintenance
medications prescribed to treat on-going ailments, such
as high blood pressure and arthritis, for less than the
contracted price you will receive the pharmacy’s
best price.
If you experience any difficulties in using the pharmacy
program, please call or ask the pharmacist to call our
Member Services department at the number located on the
back of your ID card.
Pharmacy discounts are not insurance and are not intended
as a substitute for insurance.
A discount on mail order prescriptions is also available.
For information on the mail order prescription program
please call 877-839-8121.
What
to do if you are already taking medications and need to
get your prescription refilled
Contact your doctor who wrote the prescription
and request a refill. If you are unable to obtain a refill,
then you must make an appointment to see your assigned
health care provider at the Student Health Center. Bring
your medications and any medical records you possess on
the day of your appointment.
WHAT
TO DO IF YOU NEED MENTAL HEALTH CARE OR COUNSELING
The
University Counseling Service provides a comprehensive
range of mental health services to all students. These
services range from screening to crisis intervention,
psychological and psychiatric services. Simply call 806-6870
for assistance, location, and hours of operation. No referral
is required for care at the Counseling Center.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU
NEED DENTAL SERVICES
Dental
services are available to students in the outpatient clinic
of Howard University College of Dentistry only by referral
from the Student Health Center. Speak with the Dental
Staff to discuss any costs associated with the service
you are requesting. The insurance plan covers preventive,
diagnostic, basic restorative, and major replacement,
subject to fees on file at the Howard University College
of Dentistry and with Summit America Insurance Services.
HEALTH
EDUCATION SERVICES
The
Office of Health Education of the Student Health Center
offers a variety of individual and group services and
programs to help students develop and maintain positive
health behaviors and prevent disease. This is accomplished
through increasing awareness of various health issues
(sexual health, nutrition, weight management, wellness,
fitness, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs), promoting
healthy lifestyle choices, providing health counseling,
and conducting health promotion programs and outreach
activities. The staff in the Office of Health Education
consists of a team of highly trained and experienced health
professionals and peer health educators. For more information
or for an appointment, call 806-6927 or 806-7540.
WHAT
IF YOU ARE ABSENT FROM CLASSES DUE TO AN ILLNESS
Upon
request of the student, instructor, or administrative
officer, the Student Health Center will provide a written
statement only when one of the following conditions has
been met:
1.
The student has been ill, in bed, and under the care of
the Student Health Center or
confined in a hospital.
2.
The student has been ill, at home, and is able to bring
a suitable statement of disability
during the illness from the attending provider.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Our
personal convictions as well as our ethical and legal
obligations ensure complete professional confidentiality.
The United States Government passed a Federal Law called
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
to ensure that your medical information is protected within
defined limits of the law. The Howard University Health
Sciences Notice of Privacy Practices can be found in this
booklet. Please read it carefully. It describes how medical
information about you may be used and disclosed and how
you can get access to this information. If you have any
questions regarding your rights, you may also email the
University’s Privacy Officer at Privacy@huhosp.org
YOUR
GUIDE TO MEDICAL CARE
Through the years we have found that students who remember
the following suggestions are most satisfied with their
medical care. Your cooperation will lessen the impact
of an illness and help your recovery.
SEEK
MEDICAL ADVICE EARLY. In any illness, early care
helps toward early recovery.
RETURN
VISITS ARE IMPORTANT. When you are scheduled by the
health professional, or if you develop new symptoms, or
believe your recovery is incomplete, please return.
COMPLETING
A COURSE OF MEDICATION is of great importance. Often
students stop taking medications as soon as they feel
better, only to suffer a relapse.
COMMUNICATION
IS IMPORTANT. Effective communication is an essential
part of good care. We want you to understand your diagnosis
and our rationale for treatment, so please don’t
hesitate to ask questions. Ask three simple questions
at every visit:
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