Student Health Center - University of California, Irvine

Where is Student Health Center?
Student Health Center is located on campus, on the corner of East Peltason and Pereira Drives. If you need further direction, you can refer to UCI campus map (we are Building #5 on Grid D-9) or call us at 949-824-5302.
How do I know I will receive quality health care from Student Health Center?
The Student Health Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and is staffed by licensed Physicians, Dentists, Optometrists, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, and Nurses. All of our physicians in the General Clinic are board-certified. Many of our nurses are certified in college health. Our mission is to provide quality health care for our students and to prevent disease outbreak on campus. Therefore, you can be sure that you will receive quality health care at Student Health Center.
Will details of my medical care be kept absolutely confidential, even from my parents?
California state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protect the confidentiality of communications between health professionals and their patients. At the Student Health Center, we will not discuss information about you with others without your consent except as required by law.
I notice that there are student-volunteers in the Medical Clinics at Student Health Center. Will they read my chart and know about my medical condition?
Medical records are strictly confidential. Volunteers are not allowed to open or read your medical charts.
I am an extension student/ESL student/spouse of a student/staff/faculty. Can I be seen at Student Health?
Student Health is happy to see anyone associated with the University who comes to our Center for health services. However, due to limited resources we do not directly bill the insurance carriers for patients except those enrolled (USHIP).

Please check the following to see which category you belong in:
- ESL/Extension students/spouses of students - you can be seen at Student Health Center at a fee, and send your claim forms to your insurance company for reimbursement. Spouses of students are welcome; however, Student Health does not offer pediatric services.
- Staff/Faculty - you can be seen at Student Health Center for urgent health problems that occur while you are on campus. However, it will be fee for service. We do not directly bill your insurance company. Due to limited resources Student Health does not ordinarily follow staff or faculty for ongoing or chronic medical conditions.
Do I need to have a Physical Examination before I can be seen at Student Health Center?
No. You do not need to have a Physical Examination before you can be seen at Student Health Center. However, we strongly encourage you to turn in a completed Physical Examination form as a record of your baseline health status.
How do I access Student Health Center?
You are welcome to make an appointment by calling our appointment desk at 949-824-5304. Same day or walk-in clinic is also available if you need to be seen sooner for your medical condition.
When is Student Health Center open?
We are open from 7:30am to 5:30pm (8:00am-5:00pm during summer), Monday to Friday. We are closed on the weekends and during University Holidays.

About Cost of Care and Insurance

I am healthy. Why should I be required to have health insurance?
Effective fall quarter 2001, the Regents of the University of California are requiring undergraduate students on all UC campuses to carry health insurance as a non-academic condition of enrollment. Years of experience have demonstrated that illnesses and students' inability to obtain timely medical care due to high costs, are the major reasons for students' withdrawal from academic study. Being adequately covered under a health insurance plan enables students to seek medical attention and treatment promptly, and hence complete their academic pursuit as planned.
Are the health services at Student Health Center free?
The health services at Student Health Center are not free. Due to the limited funding that our Center receives, we are not able to provide health services free of charge. However, in order to make the medical care affordable to our students, we have set our fees lower than the community's (please refer to Cost of Care).
What is USHIP? Must I enroll in it?
The Undergraduate Student Health Insurance Plan (USHIP) is the insurance plan that all registered undergraduate students will be automatically enrolled in, unless they opt out of the plan by demonstrating comparable, verifiable proof of insurance coverage by another health plan. Under USHIP, comprehensive primary care, most specialty services and hospital care are included benefits that meet or exceed the minimal standards set by the Office of the President. In order to take advantage of this insurance plan, all medical care must begin at Student Health Center. If you need a medical service that is not offered at Student Health, you will be referred to a qualified specialist in the community. If you enroll in this plan, medical services at Student Health will be directly billed to USHIP for you after the annual deductible is met. For additional information on USHIP, visit USHIP.
I am insured under USHIP. Can I be seen at Student Health Center and do I have to pay?
Student Health Center is the primary care provider and specialty care coordinator for all USHIP members. After you have met your annual deductible all medical services will be directly billed to USHIP for you. See USHIP for more information.
I am not insured under USHIP but have private insurance. Can I be seen at Student Health Center and have Student Health bill my insurance directly?
We welcome all registered undergraduate students to use our health services. However, due to limited resources, Student Health Center provides direct billing service only for patients insured under USHIP. Non USHIP members will be given an itemized reciept to submit to their private insurance.
What is GSHIP?
GSHIP, the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan, is the University sponsored health insurance program for graduate students. By vote of the Associated Graduate Students, health insurance coverage is required for all graduate students. The premium for this insurance is assessed each quarter on the graduate student's registration fee statement and the insurance provides year-round (12-month) coverage. If you are a graduate student and are already covered by an approved health insurance plan through your work, a parent, or a spouse, you may apply to opt out of GSHIP by completing a waiver form available from the UCI-Gottschalk Medical Plaza.

GSHIP members receive their primary care at the Gottschalk Medical Plaza, and must apply for prior authorization if they want to be seen at Student Health Center. For further information contact Beth Laham at (949) 824-2388.

Student Health Center will no longer directly bill insurance for services rendered to GSHIP members. GSHIP members using Student Health Center's Medical or Mental Health services will pay for the service at the time of service. An itemized receipt will be provided for submission to insurance for reimbursement.
I belong to an HMO. Can I be seen and have Student Health Center bill my HMO?
Student Health Center is currently not affiliated with any Health Maintenance Organization. If you have health insurance with an HMO, you can still be seen at Student Health Center at our fees.
If I cannot pay for the medical care that I receive from Student Health Center, what can I do?
Flexible payment plan is available at Student Health Center. Please come in to talk to our cashier if you have any question.

About the Medical Services

I feel healthy. Why should I have a Physical Examination?
A Physical Examination is a good tool to establish your baseline health status. Serious illness can be discovered during a routine Physical Examination. In addition, during your Physical Examination your medical provider can answer any question you may have regarding your health. If you would like to have a Physical Examination with us, you can call our Appointment Desk at (949) 824-5304.
Why should I have a PAP smear?
A PAP smear is the most economic tool that we have for the early detection of cervical cancer today. It is recommended as a yearly exam for most women. To schedule a PAP smear/Woman's Health Examination, please call our Appointment Desk at (949) 824-5304.
The doctor at Student Health Center says I must take a medication because I have a positive skin test for TB. Why?
A positive skin test for TB means you may have been exposed to the TB bacteria in the past. A medication called INH, taken for 6 months, is recommended for those with a positive PPD reading (10mm of induration or greater) unless contraindication exists. The purpose is to treat the infection in its dormancy because there is a chance for disease reactivation in the future. For further information you can visit http://www.cdc.gov.
If I need to see a specialist, can I see one at Student Health Center?
Student Health Center provides the following Specialty Clinics on-site by appointment:
- Mental Health and Counseling
- Optometry Clinic
- Dental Clinic
- Internal Medicine
- Gynecology
- Dermatology
- Orthopedics/Sports Medicine
- ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)
- Nutrition
We can also make referral for you to see other specialists within the local community.
I take regular allergy shots. Can I continue to get my allergy shots at Student Health Center?
No. Student Health Center does not provide allergy shots, but we can refer you to a local specialist to continue your treatment.

About the Admission Health Requirements

What are the admission health requirements?
FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO ENROLLMENT IS MANDATORY IN ORDER FOR YOU TO SUCCESSFULLY REGISTER FOR CLASSES.

Please see the Admission Health Requirements.
What would happen to me if I don't complete the Health Requirements?
Every incoming student is required to comply with the health requirements. If you do not complete the health requirements a hold will be placed on your registration for classes.
I am healthy. Why should I be required to show that I have been immunized?
As members of the UC-Irvine community, it is very important for all of us to be free from communicable diseases that can threaten the health of the community. Many communicable diseases can be prevented with immunization. With your immunization records we can determine your vaccination status. We can provide specific vaccination you may need to prevent coming down with and transmitting certain contagious diseases.
I can't find my old immunization papers. What can I do?
You can try to obtain a copy of your immunization record from your high school or your pediatrician's office. If you still cannot find your immunization record, you may need to start the adult series of the vaccination over prior to matriculation, or elect to be tested for immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B by a simple blood test. You can make a nurse appointment to discuss your questions, needs and options on immunization.
My religious beliefs preclude me from accepting immunizations. Can I be excused?
You can request special consideration from Student Health Center for exemption from the required immunizations based on personal or religious beliefs. Please contact us for a Vaccine Declination Form.
My doctor told me that I should not have some vaccines due to some reason. Can I be excused?
Yes. If your doctor had told you that you should not receive a certain vaccine, please have your doctor send us an official statement with his/her name, signature, medical license number and state of licensure, office address and phone number.