RUTGERS-CAMDEN STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
PARENTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What does the university health services offer?
The RU Health Services offers comprehensive ambulatory care and education services as well as referrals to specialists for all full-time students. Services at our health center includes general primary care, women's health, mental health and alcohol/drug/nicotine counseling, limited psychiatric treatment, health education, immunizations, physicals, and laboratory tests. All full time students are eligible to receive these services because their student fees enroll them in a limited $5,000 insurance policy provided by Aetna Student Health.
A booklet fully describing these services is mailed every summer to your home, can be found in our brochures, on our website, and at parents’ orientation exhibit events. Visit us online at: http://healthservices.camden.rutgers.edu. Our services are completely confidential and provided by licensed, certified and credentialed health professionals. We are accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
2. Do I/we have to pay extra for the student health center(s) or student health?
If your undergraduate son/daughter is full-time, the Student Health Services and Insurance Fee has been paid as part of their student fees. This includes full use of the health centers and Health Services Plus Plan insurance. Part-time students may purchase this coverage.
3. If I/we already have health insurance that covers our son/daughter, do we still have to purchase the student health insurance?
The student health insurance is part of the benefits paid for through the student fee and can not be waived. Your insurance is used as the "primary" insurance, and the student health insurance becomes "secondary" in most circumstances. Getting quality health care on campus helps students stay in class as they learn how to take care of themselves. The Health Services Plus Plan includes referrals to local specialists and covers some routine lab test fees.
4. What does the health insurance policy cover?
Comprehensive ambulatory health care and education, including: physical exams, women’s health, alcohol/drug/mental health/nutritional counseling, treatment of illnesses, allergy treatment, pharmacy services, immunizations, health education, and much more. Note that it does NOT cover prescription medications. Students are covered for a maximum of $5000 for each accident or illness and certain outpatient services (with some limitations). A student may purchase additional insurance (Premier Plan) to increase the coverage to $250,000 per condition per policy year, which also includes a prescription plan. Check the brochure mailed to each home for further details, or visit http://riskmanagement.rutgers.edu/students.html for more information.
(Important note: yearly changes in the student insurance plan and associated costs take place at the start of September coinciding with the beginning of each academic year)
5. If I/we belong to an HMO, will my/our insurance cover my son’s/daughter’s costs if you refer him/her to an outside specialist?
Your insurance coverage would be primary, so check with your insurer to be sure.
6. What immunizations does Rutgers University require?
Rutgers University requires that all students have vaccination records or immunity through laboratory tests from measles, mumps and rubella. Students have an additional requirement for Hepatitis B vaccination or immunity (your pediatrician should have records). We also require meningitis immunization for all undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students who are new to Rutgers University AND are new to University housing. The CDC recommends a booster dose (additional) if it has been 5 years or more since your 1st dose. International students or those living overseas have a PPD (Tuberculosis skin test) requirement. For more information, visit us at http://healthservices.camden.rutgers.edu/mainpage-immunizations.html.
Students can get all required immunizations through Rutgers Student Health Services at discounted prices.
7. Do your records show that my child has completed all necessary immunizations?
With so many students at the university, we are unable to directly answer this question for each student. If you have sent in the records for the required immunity, then your child should be fine. If you send the records directly to RU-Camden Health Services (please keep the original and send us a copy), we recommend you contact us one week later to verify that we received the record. If the immunization record is incomplete, Rutgers University will notify your son/daughter through e-mail.
8. Does my child need a physical for admission to RU?
While we recommend regular preventive care and health maintenance visits with your health care provider, a physical examination is not required for admission to RU.
9. Where would my child go in the event of illness?
Our primary care services includepreventative healthcare and routine medical care, such as physical exams, treatment of common problems (colds, vomiting, skin problems like acne, infections); accidents, and sports related injuries such as sprains and fractures and lacerations, as well as chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes.
When Health Services staff is unavailable, e.g., during evening, weekend, holidays or other closures, students with Rutgers Health Insurance may contact our 24-HOUR NURSE LINE for consultation regarding health problems or questions. Nurse-line cannot schedule appointments, but can indicate the best "next-step" if you have a medical problem. The number is 1-800-424-5090.
If your child has a medical emergency, they should call 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
10. Can my child use any of the five health centers?
Yes, we have our center on the Camden campus, three health centers on the New Brunswick/Piscataway campuses - Willets Health Center on Cook/Douglass, Hurtado Health Center on College Avenue, and Busch-Livingston Health Center in Piscataway, and a health center on the Newark campus. However, we recommend building a relationship and medical record with the same health center for continuity of care.
11. If my son/daughter has a medical emergency, will I be informed?
In the case of a medical emergency, we attempt to contact next of kin indicated on the student’s medical record. Note that if your child is alert, confidentiality laws preclude us from calling you without their consent.
12. My son/daughter has allergies. Can he/she get their shots on campus?
Yes. Call the health center of your choice to make an appointment for this service. Your son/daughter must provide the serum; we can store it in the health center refrigerators. There is a $10 fee for administering the shot each time. Note that outside office visits and testing for allergies is excluded from the student insurance policy.
13. My son/daughter has asthma. Can he/she get inhalers on campus?
Yes. The RUHS in Camden has limited pharmacy services.
14. How would I know if my daughter/son had an alcohol or other drug problem?
The following signs may indicate a problem:
Sudden problem with curfews or other rules
A new "who cares" attitude where they were previously more involved in school/family life
Neglecting old friends for unmet new ones
A decline in school involvement or extracurricular activities
A new secretiveness, different from an expected need for adolescent privacy
Unresolved questions about money, unexplained loss of savings or other money
Your liquor supply is dwindling
An extraordinary personality change, unusual outbursts, sudden mood swings, other unusual behavior
Noticeable intoxication - red eyes, giddiness, alcohol/marijuana smell, nausea, dizziness, slurring or nonsensical speech
If you noticed any of these signs, it may (but not always) indicate a problem. You or your son/daughter may call our Alcohol/ Drug/Nicotine Program for Students at (856) 225-6005 in Camden, (973) 353-1236 in Newark, or (732) 932-7402 x 232 in New Brunswick for guidance, treatment or referral.
15. My son/daughter is having a mental health emergency. What can I do?
If your child lives in residence housing, contact or have them contact the staff of residence housing (856-225-6471) or the Dean of Students (856-225-6050) immediately. During regular working hours, you can always consult with the staff of Psychological Services (856-225-6005) of RU-Camden Health Services.
If your child is off campus, contact or have them contact either Student Health Services or the Dean of Students (both telephone numbers listed above) immediately during working hours. At all other times, arrange to have your child go to the nearest emergency room.
If your child is at home with you, please take him/her to the nearest emergency room.
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