What is the difference between the health fee and health insurance?
The student health fee you see on your tuition bill allows Tufts to maintain a full service,
comprehensive health center on the Medford campus. What the health fee covers is detailed below.
The health fee is not an insurance plan. It is a state requirement that all students attending a
university in Massachusetts also have some form of health insurance. Although all health insurance
coverage varies, almost all include some provision for inpatient hospitalization, visits to
specialists, mental health coverage, as well as other health benefits. It is important that you
have some understanding of your insurance coverage should you need to use it during the year.
For example, some health insurance companies require that you obtain a referral from them before
receiving services or they may not pay for the services you received. This can be very expensive,
time-consuming and anxiety provoking to address after the fact.
What does the health fee actually pay for?
The health fee covers students during the academic year for unlimited primary and urgent care
visits, access to the counseling center, allergy and immunization injections, the flu shot,
and the first three psychiatric visits.
What will I get billed for if I use the Health Service?
Charges are incurred for laboratory tests, on-site visits with our specialists (orthopedist) and psychiatry from the fourth visit on. In almost all instances,
our prices are below what students would be charged elsewhere. Student's insurance plans will
pay for items not covered by the student health fee. For example, student health insurance
covers 100% of lab charges incurred at the Health Service.
Is there any benefit to buying student health insurance?
The decision to buy student health insurance is an individual one. We suggest you review the
summary below to aid you in your decision. Many families make the decision to cover their
student through a parent's health insurance plan. For your protection, we suggest you review
the details of that plan, and make sure the student will be covered adequately, particularly
if your plan tends to require services be rendered with a preferred provider group in your
local area.
What do I do if I need a prescription filled?
The Health Service maintains a close relationship with a local pharmacy, which allows students
the convenience of filling prescriptions there are delivered free of charge and can be picked
up at the Health Service.
Can I get allergy shots at the Health Service?
Yes! Allergy shots are made by appointment with one of the Health Service nurses. You can have
your serum mailed directly to the Health Service.
Will my confidentiality be respected?
At Tufts Health Service, patient confidentiality is considered of utmost importance and a quality
standard we uphold. No information about a patient's health or medical record can be released
without the patient's written consent. If a parent has a question about his or her child's health
or medical bills, the student must be sure to sign a written release before we will speak with the parent.
How can I get birth control pills at Tufts Health Service?
Call the main number at Health Service (627-3350) and speak to the appointment desk. The secretary
can set you up with an appointment to see a clinician quite quickly. The clinician will get a
medical history from you and discuss any questions you might have. The clinician will discuss
your health risks with you and make recommendations for an annual gyn exam or any other tests
if needed. You will be given a prescription for birth control pills or any other method that
you select. This visit is completely confidential!!
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