1 Student Health Service FAQs for the Parent and Family Liaison Do I need to send my son or daughter with our prescription insurance card to the University Pharmacy (located at the Student Health Service) in order to fill a prescription? Yes. We recommend that you send your son or daughter with a copy of their insurance card. My son or daughter has an outside physician, can they call/fax/e-prescribe a prescription to the University Pharmacy? Yes. Contact Information: Phone: 412.383.1850 FAX: 412.383.1855 Does my son or daughter have to use the University Pharmacy? No. Your son/daughter can take their prescriptions to any pharmacy in the area. However, there is a convenience to having a pharmacy next door to the clinic. Does the pharmacy take our insurance? Most likely; we accept > 100 3 rd party insurance companies. Please call the University Pharmacy at 412.383.1850 for further information. Can I transfer my child s prescription to your pharmacy and how do I arrange this? Yes. Prescriptions can be transferred to the University Pharmacy. Please call the University Pharmacy at 412.383.1850 for further information. My child is on ADHD meds which can only be filled monthly. How can we continue and what are the procedures? Please call the University Pharmacy at 412.383.1850 and/or Refer to the Disability Resources and Services website for further information: http://www.drs.pitt.edu/ SHS does NOT diagnose ADHD. Is there a waiver we can sign so we can speak with a doctor when s/he is sick? The Student Health Service requires that the student give either written consent (or verbal consent with a witness) to speak to parents. HIPAA rules prevent SHS staff from discussing details without the students signed waiver for release of information. This process is NOT automatic and will only be performed at the specific request of the student.
2 Are you open 24/7? No. We are not open 24/7. Our hours of operation vary depending on the school term. Our hours of operations are as follows: FALL/SPRING TERMS Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30am 7:00pm Tuesday, Friday 8:30am 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am 3:00pm ** ** For Saturday Hours: Walk-ins Only, No appointments. SUMMER TERMS Monday thru Friday 8:30am 5:00pm *** For all emergencies.. Call 911 or go directly to ED. If my son or daughter would need to see a specialist, how do we go about getting a referral or finding a specialist? The Student Health Service has a complete list of specialists in the area, which is updated annually. Where and what are the procedures for allergy patients? Where should our allergist send documentation and serum? Any student wishing to receive allergy injections must schedule a nurse s appointment at the Student Health Service by calling 412.383.1800 and provide their serum, along with orders and instructions. Students will receive the Allergy and Injection Checklist that must be completed by their allergist. Students will also sign a consent acknowledging understanding of these guidelines. Serum and instructions can also be mailed to the Student Health Service. Do you offer dental services? What happens if dental services are needed? NO.We do not have an on-site dentist. However, we do have a referral list of dentists in the area and often recommend that students go to the Pitt Dental School for care. How does my son or daughter schedule an appointment at the Student Health Service? Call 412.383.1800 to schedule an appointment. We also have daily URGI-Care service as well as Nurse Triage service for students who are experiencing upper respiratory symptoms and do not have an appointment. Students can also self-schedule an appointment using our new Online scheduling service at the my.pitt.edu website. They can see a clinician between 1:00pm 4:00pm Monday through Friday. There may be a wait, however. I am concerned about the care my son or daughter received at student health. Who should I contact? Director: Marian Vanek, MBA 412.864.2199 Medical Director: Elizabeth Wettick, MD 412.383.1805
3 Assistant Medical Director: Marni Greenwald, MD 412.647-2816 Patient Advocate: 412.383.1832 (For billing and insurance issues only) My child has a specific health problem (e.g. Crohn s disease) how can that be handled? Are your physicians familiar with this condition? Where should I send his or her medical records? The clinic is staffed by board certified physicians, licensed nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and medical assistants. The physicians include 2 internists, 1 pediatrician, who specializes in adolescent medicine, and 2 family practitioners. We recommend that your son or daughter schedule an appointment at the Student Health Service by calling 412.383.1800 for an initial evaluation. If your son or daughter is in need of more specialized care, he or she can be referred to a specialist in the area. We recommend that outside medical records be sent to the Student Health Service for review by a clinician. Please contact the medical records department by calling 412.383.1816. What doesn t the student health fee cover? Referrals to outside specialists Specialized imaging and procedures (e.g. ultrasound, MRI, CT) Specialty Lab tests NOT included in the basic list of routine tests Travel health assessments Required physical examinations with forms There is also a fee associated with some routine immunizations and injections Orthopedic supplies Prescription and over-the-counter medications Do you have doctors or just nurses? Board certified physicians (2 internists, 1 pediatrician, who specializes in adolescent medicine, and 2 family practitioners) 2 licensed nurse practitioners, 1 physician assistant, registered nurses, medical assistants, a registered dietitian, health educators, and registered pharmacists are housed within the Student Health Service. During Ortho Clinic we have orthopedic surgeons. During PT Clinic we have physical therapy graduate students and PT faculty. Can my son or daughter walk to student health? Yes. The Student Health Service is part of in the new Wellness Center on the 2 nd floor of Nordenberg Hall. It is located across the street adjacent to Soldier and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum at 119 University Place. Can my son or daughter just go to the clinic if they are sick? Yes. However, it is recommended that students call and schedule an appointment. Students that are ill can generally schedule a same day appointment. Students are never turned away. If there are no appointments available, students can come to the clinic and be triaged by a registered nurse; if it is determined he/she is ill, they will be seen by a clinician that day. Also, we have daily URGI-Care service for students who are experiencing upper respiratory symptoms
4 and do not have an appointment. They can see a clinician between 1:00pm 4:00pm Monday through Friday. There may be a wait, however. Can anyone be seen at the Student Health Service? No. The Student Health Service is for University of Pittsburgh students only, undergraduate and graduate levels, who are classified as Active students. Active students are students who are enrolled in classes for the present active term. Can my son or daughter get an excuse or note from student health? NO. The Student Health Service does NOT provide excuses. However, a visit verification form can be generated after a visit at the Student Health Service, which provides proof of the visit. This visit verification form can be given to one s professor. Does the health fee replace medical insurance? NO. Private health insurance is needed for hospitalizations, emergencies, outside referrals, and specialized imaging and other procedures (e.g. ultrasound, MRI and CT). All students should carry a copy of their insurance card with them at all times. Does the student health fee cover lab work and X-rays? Basic, routine lab work and X-rays are covered under the student health fee all other tests are NOT covered. SHS provides a list of nearby blood draw sites for necessary blood work. Note that more specialized imaging (e.g. ultrasound, MRI, CT) is not covered under the student health fee and would be the responsibility of the patient as are ED visits and specialist referrals. Do you offer prevention and wellness programs? Yes. The Office of Health Education and Promotion provides a variety of programs and services to enhance both personal and community health and encourage healthy lifestyles. A dietitian is available for both group and individual nutrition counseling. Contraception counseling and Rapid Oral HIV testing is also available by appointment. Please refer to the student health website for further information: http://www.studenthealth.pitt.edu What happens if my son or daughter gets sick when the Student Health Service is closed? There are several options: If they live in a residence hall, notify RA Call the University of Pittsburgh Campus Police: 412.624.2121 Call 911 Go to the nearest emergency department (UPMC PUH across the street) or urgent care center What services are provided by the Office of Health Education and Promotion? QUIT smoking (tobacco) individual program Individual appointments with a dietitian for nutritional concerns Individual contraceptive education appointments Individual rapid HIV testing Personal Education Assistance and Referral (PEAR I and PEAR II) see below
5 Marijuana 101 see below Outreach and community health education PantherWELL peer health educators offer a variety of programs that focus on health and wellness (i.e., Safe Tanning, Kick Butts, Healthy Microwave Cooking, Health Checks, Sleep, Energy Drinks, etc.) Can my son/daughter get a job at the Office of Health Education and Promotion? We hire undergraduate students to be PantherWELL peer health educators during the spring semester for the following academic year. These are paid positions. Can my son/daughter intern at the Office of Health Education and Promotion? We are always willing to discuss internship opportunities with motivated students who have a clear goal for their internship, but we DO NOT offer internships every year. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT ATOD The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) mission seeks to educate the student community about the negative consequences related to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The program administers prevention and intervention services that will provide students with the tools to make healthy lifestyle decisions and ensure their overall well-being in their academic and personal careers. PEAR I: A 3-week class that typically meets for 2 hours per week, and includes the completion of the Under the Influence alcohol educational online module and a one-on-one meeting with the instructor in the final week. A student may voluntarily opt to take this course. PEAR II: A series of one-on-one educational conferences that focus on the behaviors and decisions that resulted in a violation. Discussion includes harm reduction strategies related to alcohol use and the development of an action plan to avoid further violations. The ATOD health educator can (and often will) compel the student to participate in an alcohol assessment in the Counseling Center. Marijuana 101: Marijuana 101 is an online marijuana education course used as a response to a variety of violations including marijuana use or possession. Marijuana 101 has two components: an online course and a follow-up session with a health education & promotion specialist. The online course takes 2 to 3 hours to complete. Users have the ability to log on and off intermittently allowing students to complete the module at their own pace.
6 FAQ When and how will I be notified of a violation? 1 Parents/guardians of residence hall students will be notified in writing when: The student admits to being responsible or is found responsible of an alcohol or drug infraction in the student judicial system. This does not include students who are sanctioned solely for being "knowingly present" during drug and/or alcohol violations. Parents/guardians of non-residence hall students will be notified in writing when: The student admits to being responsible or is found responsible of an alcohol or drug infraction in the student judicial system. This does not include students who are sanctioned solely for being "knowingly present" during drug and/or alcohol violations. Who should I contact if I have any questions about my student s violation? 1 There will be a cover letter enclosed with a copy of the sanction letter explaining whom to contact for additional information. Before calling, it is suggested that parents/guardians contact their student first to determine if the parents/guardians assistance is required. Staff members from Residence Life and the Office of Student Conduct are available to provide any necessary clarification. Can I change a sanction of my student? 1 The system of due process for all students does not allow the University the option to forego duly authorized sanctions for some students and not for others. Students who commit violations will be held accountable for their offense(s) as part of their education. They also will have available counseling and other academic support services to maintain their educational goals. Please refer questions of this nature to the Office of Student Conduct. What does alcohol counseling entail for my student? For first offense, students are required to attend the PEAR I course (description is noted above). There is an automatic $50 fee for the PEAR I course; a judicial hold will be placed on the students account if they fail to pay the fine. Moreover, if the student fails to attend and complete a PEAR I course a judicial hold will be placed on their account. For a second offense, students are required to attend the PEAR II course (description is noted above). There is an automatic $100 fee for the PEAR II course; a judicial hold will be placed on the students account if they fail to pay the fine. Moreover, if the student fails to attend and complete a PEAR II course a judicial hold will be placed on their account. Students sanctioned to PEAR II that did not complete PEAR I will be required to attend the PEAR I courses as part of their PEAR II sanction. 1 (Attained from the code of conduct)
7 What does Other Drug (Marijuana) counseling entail for my student? For a Marijuana offense, students are required to attend the MJ 101 course (description is noted above). There is an automatic $50 fee for the MJ 101 course; a judicial hold will be placed on the students account if they fail to pay the fine. Moreover, if the student fails to attend and complete a MJ101 course a judicial hold will be placed on their account. What is the AlcoholEDU online module? AlcoholEDU is an online pre-matriculation alcohol education module seeking to educate students about the use of alcohol by providing educational materials that will address and seek to prevent high-risk student drinking. This module is mandated for all incoming new freshman students. What other additional services does ATOD offer for my student? Other programs offered include the QUIT (Quit Using Irritating Tobacco) program, which seeks to guide students through the process of tobacco cessation. Please contact the Office of Health Education and Promotion for additional questions, (412)383-1830.