Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for services through the Student Health Service (SHS)?
Any student enrolled at Ohio University for one (1) or more credit hours can receive medical care through the Student Health Service during the quarter in which they are enrolled. A student does not have to be participating in the University insurance plan to receive services through SHS.
What services are available?
A list of services provided through SHS is available here.
How does a student access these services?
Every enrolled student receives an Ohio University student identification card. Whenever possible, please bring your I.D. card with you each time you come to the SHS to receive care. We can also confirm eligibility through the Student Information System. Once a student has been properly identified at the reception desk, they will be assigned to the first available provider.
What are the hours of operation?
Clinic:
Sun 1 PM to 4:30 PM
Mon 8 AM to 6:30 PM
Tue 8 AM to 6:30 PM
Wed 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Thu 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Fri 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Pharmacy, Laboratory, and X-Ray:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Thursday
Hours are slightly different in the summer and during winter and spring breaks. SHS is closed on University holidays.
For emergencies, call 911. For after-hours treatment, O'Bleness Memorial Hospital is located less than a mile from campus. Emergency medical transportation is provided to the area by Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services. These providers charge for services. For after-hours treatment, call OU Police Department at 593-2911 for transportation.
If my family physician has prescribed physical therapy, medication, or allergy injections, can I still get care through the Student Health Service?
Yes. If you need physical therapy, bring your physical therapy prescription with you and check in at the Physical Therapy Department located on the ground floor of Hudson Health Center, Room 014.
If you have a prescription for a medication, you will need your I.D. card which enables you to check in at the pharmacy. One note on prescriptions-- the SHS pharmacy must have an original signed physician's prescription. We are not able to refill a prescription from the hometown pharmacy. Have your physician write a new prescription that you can bring with you.
If you are presently receiving allergy injections, we ask that you bring your vials of antigens and instructions with you on your first visit. We will keep these vials properly stored and provide the injections according to the physician's directions. You will check in at the reception desk for each visit.
What if I need a specialist's care?
The medical practitioners who practice through the Student Health Service provide primary medical care, which includes colds, sore throats, minor surgical procedures (i.e. wart removal, suturing, etc.), gynecological care, and minor sprains and strains. However, if a SHS physician believes a problem needs a specialist's care, you will be referred to a specialist. For orthopedic injuries, there is a weekly orthopedic clinic, and students are referred to this service. Before you come to campus, however, ask your parent(s) or your guardian if there are any specific guidelines you are supposed to follow with regard to specialist care, or if your insurance company has any specific restrictions.
Are there charges for services through the Student Health Service?
Yes. Student Health Service will bill for physician visits, minor procedures, in-house lab, x-rays, immunizations, allergy injections, supplies and medications. Students Health Service will bill your insurance for everything except medications. Charges for lab testing being performed by an outside laboratory will be billed to your insurance by that laboratory.
How will I be billed for the charged services?
As long as you provide your insurance information to the Student Health Service we will bill your insurance for everything except medications purchased through our pharmacy. If there is a charge remaining after your insurance has processed the claim, it will be placed on your student account and payment can be made at the cashier’s office first floor Chubb Hall or by accessing your online account. Pharmacy charges will be billed to your student account and you will be given a receipt to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
How can I bill my insurance company?
As long as you provide your insurance information to the Student Health Service we will bill your insurance for you. You can get an itemized statement of your charges from the Student Health Service Business Office room 111 Hudson Health Center.
Does the University offer an insurance plan for students?
The University does offer an Injury and Sickness Plan, provided by a private company Student Resources, for domestic students who are enrolled for 7 or more credit hours, and international students enrolled for at least one credit hour. Other students may be eligible to purchase the plan directly from the plan administrator. Call the Student Health Service Insurance Office, 740-597-1816, for more information.
Complete details of the plan are here [link to "Student Injury & Sickness Insurance Plan 2006-07" section of this site]
What does a student do when the Student Health Service is closed?
If you feel that you need medical care when the SHS is not open, you can choose one of the following options:
Holzer Clinic Athens
2131 East State Street, Athens
740-589-3120: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
O'Bleness Memorial Hospital
55 Hospital Drive, Athens
740-593-5551 - 24/7
UMA Express Care
Parks Hall, West Green, Athens
740-593-2456: weekdays 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, weekends 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
If you do not have transportation, and it is not an emergency situation, you should call the Ohio University Police Department at 593-1911. If it is an emergency you should call 911.
Who is eligible to use the pharmacy?
Any student enrolled at Ohio University for one (1) or more credit hours can obtain prescriptions at the Student Health Pharmacy during the quarter in which they are enrolled. It is helpful to present your student ID card at the time of service.
Does the pharmacy accept prescriptions from outside physicians?
We accept prescriptions from any physician in the United States. Your physician may write you a prescription, phone it in at 740-593-4738, or fax it in at 740-597-1834.
How do I pay for my prescriptions?
All charges for prescriptions are paid at the cashier's office in Chubb Hall. The bill should be paid by the end of the current quarter. The pharmacy sells all of its medications at close to cost.
Does the pharmacy accept prescription drug cards?
The pharmacy does not accept prescription drug cards at this time. If you wish to use an insurance card, you should take your prescription to one of six local pharmacies.
Can I get a receipt for my prescriptions?
The student receives an itemized receipt with each prescription. Please save these recipients for your parents or insurance company.
What medications does the pharmacy keep in stock?
The SHS Pharmacy stocks around 300 medications. These are the medications most frequently asked for. Feel free to stop by or call us and ask if we stock a particular medication.
How can I help make the process of getting healthcare easier?
Included in your Connect OHIO is information about the Student Health Service and a Health History form. It is very important that the Health History form be completed accurately and sent back to the Student Health Service before the beginning of fall quarter. This form is kept on file at Hudson Health Center until you come in for your first visit (it is actually kept on file until you graduate, so you don't have to come in right away). Once you make your first visit, the form becomes a part of your medical record. This information about your past medical history is very important for SHS physicians when they are treating you.
Most freshman entering college are18 years old and are, therefore, considered adults for the purpose of confidentiality of medical records. Occasionally a parent or guardian will call asking for information about your care, either because they are concerned about your health, have received a bill and want to know what it is for, or they need more information to bill the insurance company. Since you are an adult, your medical records are confidential, and we cannot share the information with parents or insurance companies without your written or sometimes verbal consent. If you know a parent or guardian will want to talk to someone at SHS about your care, you can give us permission at the time you are seen, but don't be surprised if you receive a call asking permission to share information. If you need help sending in a claim form, or if you have a question about your bill, please stop by room 109 or 111 of the Student Health Service and we will make sure you have what you need, or clarify any billing concerns. If copies of medical records are to be sent to parents, guardians, another physician, or an insurance company, the student must come to the SHS and complete a Release of Medical Information form.
Make a copy of your family health insurance card, and laminate it if possible, so that you have this information with you while on campus. Make sure that you know any special restrictions with regard to your insurance plan. For example, if you participate in an HMO or PPO, you may not be able to see a specialist in Athens unless it is an emergency. You may have to return to your network physicians. Ask your parents or guardian about co-pays, deductibles, prescription drug cards, whether you need to complete claim forms, etc...
