With remote classes, what services can health services provide?
Our Nurse Practitioners are available during business hours for consultation, prescription refills, medical questions, etc over the phone or your health portal. As of March 30th, 2020, we have also been available by video tele-medicine appointments in our SSU Health Virtual Waiting Room . We can treat many medical needs through tele-medicine services. Common health services we are able to provide via online tele-medicine appointments include evaluation and treatment for cold symptoms, concerns about COVID19 symptoms or exposures, skin concerns, birth control, STI exposure or testing, pregnancy counseling, UTIs, sexual health concerns or questions, or other illness or injury health needs. Our summer 2020 tele-medicine hours as of June 22nd, 2020 are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 1-3pm or by appointment.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
Please note, that our medical and counseling visits at counseling & health services have no out of pocket expense to students, and this is true for students who are uninsured.
Also of importance, any individual with Medicaid coverage as of March 18th, 2020, MassHealth will protect your coverage during the COVID10 outbreak and national emergency and for one month after the emergency ends. MassHealth members will not lose coverage or have a decrease in benefits for any reason unless an individual requests termination of eligibility or they are no longer a resident of Massachusetts.
For health insurance questions and assistance: Free health insurance Helpline by Healthcare For All: 800-272-4232. Help available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
What if I don’t have health insurance and need care right away?
In an emergency, all emergency departments that participate in Medicare (which is most hospitals in the United States) must see you, regardless of your ability to pay. Federally funded health centers provide care regardless of insurance coverage or income. Many of these centers include mental health services. Find a federally funded health center near you at https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/. If you are a student, we encourage you to reach out to counseling & health services for any non-emergency medical or mental health need. There is no out of pocket expenses to access our providers and most of our services.
I’ve never used telehealth services before. What does this look like?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines telehealth as the use of telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, health-related education, and public health and health administration. This can look differently depending on your provider and the type of technology you have available but could include live videoconferencing, sharing of digital store-and-forward images, mobile health apps, and/or telephone communications. Regardless of what type of technology is used to provide telehealth services, your provider should review an informed consent form with you before or during your first virtual visit, so that you understand what to expect and know your rights. If you have a preference or concerns, you are encouraged to discuss these with your provider. Health services most often provides telehealth services by video appointment, phone call, or secure messaging through your health services portal.
We want to provide services in a manner that is most comfortable for you! Please share with us if you have a preference.
Are there health insurance costs associated with telehealth services?
There are no out of pocket expenses for students to access SSU health services telehealth appointments. However, we will bill your health insurance as we would for an in person appointment.
How can I access telehealth services?
Many healthcare providers have started offering telehealth services, even if they previously hadn’t. If your regular providers are offering these virtual services, we would encourage you to utilize them! Health services offers telehealth appointments with our Nurse Practitioners
To access our telehealth platform, you can use your phone or computer’s web browser, no app or software downloads required! This is a HIPPA compliant platform and your medical information will remain confidential between you and the provider you see.
Many health insurance carriers may also have their own telehealth services available. The student health insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan does, has a 24/7 medical telehealth platform called Well Connection.
There are also several virtual family planning and reproductive health services available in addition to those available through health services. These include: Health Quarters, Nurx, Planned Parenthood
What if I need an in-person appointment, for something such as an injection?
Health services is reserving times for students who require an in-person visit for a medical service that cannot be performed virtually, such as an immunization, injection or lab test. If you believe you need an in-person visit, please reach out to one of our Nurse Practitioners through a message on your health portal or utilize the walk-in virtual clinic to further discuss and schedule.