When students arrive at the University of Virginia, they face a lot of transition and change—new routines, new home, new friends. The Department of Student Health and Wellness is here to help! For many of our students, fall semester will be the first time they are independently responsible for their health and well-being. This could mean anything from scheduling their first primary care or mental health visit to purchasing over-the-counter medication.
But—first things first. Our Department serves UVA students through Counseling & Psychological Services, Medical Services (primary and gynecological care), the Office of Health Promotion, and the Student Disability Access Center. We offer a wide array of health and well-being services—immunizations, allergy care, substance use disorder support and recovery programming, nutrition, counseling and psychiatry, public health data collection, education, and promotion, peer health education, digital and physical accessibility support, and much more.
This article will focus primarily on students’ medical transition to college. The summer before the fall semester begins, students should think about their current unique health and wellness needs and prepare to transition this care. A good first step is to set up an appointment with your regular health care provider(s) to develop a plan. Here are some questions to help guide your preparations:
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Should I plan to transfer my medical care to Student Health and Wellness or a local provider in Charlottesville?
Sometimes care can stay with a provider at home, but if your visits are frequent or hard to predict in advance, we will be better suited to meet your needs. If a specialist is needed, our team can help connect you to a provider at UVA Health or in Charlottesville. If you decide to keep your care with your provider at home, make sure you book care appointments with them well in advance, and ideally over breaks, so as to lessen time away from school. -
Do I clearly understand my past and current health conditions?
While at UVA, you’ll likely be solo at most, if not all, of your care appointments. Be prepared to explain your health history to a new health care provider. If your history is complex, ask your current provider for a written summary that you can keep and also share with new members of your health care team. -
What medications am I currently taking, and how will I manage them at school?
Student Health and Wellness has a pharmacy in our building, and you can transfer your prescriptions to our UVA Health pharmacy for your convenience. Think about how you’ll store your medications, remember to take them on time, and obtain refills. Planning ahead will minimize any disruptions in your medication! -
Which medical services do First Years typically use the most?
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Preventative services, such as screening for sexually transmitted diseases, vaccinations, yearly physicals, and contraception.
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Acute illness and injury care, for things like colds and the flu, abdominal pain, UTI, vaginitis, sprains, rashes and bites, headache, head injury, burns and lacerations.
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Chronic Disease management, for things like asthma, mental health issues, thyroid conditions, hypertension, acne, substance abuse, eating disorders
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How do insurance and fees work at Student Health and Wellness?
We are committed to minimizing out-of-pocket costs for students. Professional services, whether in-person or virtual, are covered by your tuition and fees. When you visit Student Health and Wellness, you will not be charged a copay or visit charge, unless you are visiting during the summer and are not enrolled in summer session. All students are required to have health insurance coverage in case laboratory, pharmacy, or specialty care is needed outside of Student Health and Wellness, and it’s important to understand what your plan will cover. For example, does your plan require a deductible? Coinsurance? While your insurance will not be billed for Student Health and Wellness provider services, the following services will be billed to your insurance:-
Testing (lab/radiology). You will receive a bill for the service if your insurance plan does not cover the full amount of the charge.
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Prescriptions are billed to your prescription insurance.
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Questions about how our insurance / billing works? Email us: [email protected]
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Ok—I’m ready! It’s my first time scheduling an appointment – what do I do?
Great! Log on to our patient portal to schedule your appointment online or call us at 434-924-5362. If you are not able to find an appointment that meets your needs or you have additional questions, call our office and we would be happy to assist you with scheduling by phone. You’ll receive more information on what to bring with you and how to get to our building via email. Please note—if you are learning remotely or feel more comfortable using our services virtually, we are here and ready to assist you via a telehealth appointment.
Our department and our staff are here first and foremost to ensure accessible, inclusive, and approachable services and care for our students, and we strive to help them every step of the way! We offer:
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Easy scheduling by phone or online through the UVA Healthy Hoos Patient Portal*;
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An online directory of our medical providers so they can choose who they may be most comfortable talking to;
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and a UVA Health satellite laboratory and pharmacy conveniently located within our building.
If you’d like some additional transitional resources, check out the Got Transition website and the CDC’s #Empowered4Health page. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us or email [email protected].
By Meredith E. Hayden, MD
Jul 28, 2020