Student Healthcare at CMC: How Does It Work?
By KK Streator P'18
“I don’t feel well.” How many times have you heard that over the years? So what happens if your student gets the flu or becomes depressed during the school year? What if they need ADHD support? Or need a physical for a sports team or study abroad? And what about health insurance to deal with all this? It can all seem pretty daunting.
Fortunately, CMC has a well-developed system for dealing with a wide variety of healthcare needs. Lots of specific health services information is available on the Student Health Services website, but here’s a quick summary:
Student Health Services (SHS) is usually the first line of defense. SHS is an outpatient primary care provider that services the entire CUC student community. Located at the Tranquada Student Services Center at 757 College Way, it’s open Monday through Friday and is appointment based. There is no charge for appointments and nominal fees apply for labs, X-rays, immunizations/dispensary medications, and specialty office visits (e.g., physicals and women’s health). SHS is staffed by doctors, nurse practitioners, and trained medical professionals and offers a broad range of services. (See the website for a full listing.)
Students can normally get appointments within 1-3 days. Same day appointments are usually available for urgent matters. If the schedule is full, students who call-in are transferred to the “nurse advice line.” Walk-ins are “triaged” by nurses, who can give self-care instructions, schedule future appointments, or make referrals to local urgent care centers, emergency departments, or specialty care providers (dental, orthopedic, gynecology, dermatology, etc.).
Urgent Care Centers and Hospitals are nearby for emergencies and after-hours care when SHS is closed. CMC is fortunate to have a number of top-notch medical facilities nearby; a list of facilities, including those that accept student insurance can be found on the CUC website. There is also a 24/7 on-call provider for telephone advice when school is in session.
Mental Health issues are handled by the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS). Also located at the Tranquada Student Services Center at 757 College Way, MCAPS offers a broad range of psychological services and is staffed by psychologists, psychiatrists, and post-doctoral and intern therapists. (See the website for a full listing of services.) It’s open Monday through Friday, with 24-hour on-call services. Students need to make an appointment (except in case of emergencies). Visits are free but students are responsible for medication costs. (MCAPS does not have a pharmacy on-site.)
MCAPS usually sees students within a week. In the case of a crisis or emergency, students will normally be seen that day. After hours and on weekends, students may call campus safety at 909-607-2000 and have the on call psychologist/therapist paged. They will get a response from the on-call professional within 5 minutes.
Health Insurance is required for all CMC students. Students must submit proof of insurance every year through their CMC Student Portal. Students who don’t provide insurance information are automatically enrolled in the Claremont Colleges Student Health Insurance Plan. The current cost is $1,911.00 for annual coverage. A full explanation of the plan, including preferred providers and the claims process, can be found online.
Students with private insurance should check with their carriers about coverage while away at college (for example PPO/HMO providers, deductibles, prescription coverage, etc.). Students should also have an insurance card and/or know their policy/group number/name of insured.
Privacy Issues for Parents: “My Student tells me nothing” is a common parental complaint – and healthcare is a prime example. Federal privacy guidelines severely restrict what parents can be told about an adult student’s medical care. SHS and MCAPS follow all required HIPAA and privacy guidelines, unless students pose a danger to themselves or to others. Since most students are over 18, they can basically determine the extent of parental involvement.
In order for a parent to receive information, a student must sign a Medical Release of Information Form prior to any exchange or release of medical information. One potential strategy is to ask your student to fill out a SHS Medical Release of Information Form with dates covering the school year, i.e. Sept. through May, but that’s between you and your student.
“Do the kids figure this all out?” may be the question at the top of your mind. The answer is “yes.” All of this information is repeatedly communicated to students during orientation, in person at SHS, through special programming/outreach programs, the Student Deans Committee, and on the CMC and CUC websites. Rest assured that your student will be well cared for at CMC, thanks to a vast pool of resources and professionals, all focused on keeping our students happy and healthy. |