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Frequently Asked Questions
Charge and Payment Information
For information about Health Center charges and/or
payment information, please check
here.
Why am I
blocked?
Effective May 2, 2003, Texas
A&M University will no longer be requiring the submission of immunization
records as a requirement for class registration. However, Student Health
Services strongly recommends that every student, and their family members,
review our updated list of immunizations most appropriate for the
university student. This list of recommended vaccines was compiled by the
American College Health Association (ACHA) with assistance from the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Center for
Disease Control (CDC).
All international students are required to have health insurance coverage
as stipulated by Texas A&M University System policy. Students not showing
proof of coverage or not maintaining coverage while enrolled will be prevented
from registering. If blocked for insurance call the Insurance Office at
(979) 458-8310.
Please see our
Immunizations
page for details.
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What about a class excuse?
According to the Texas A&M University
Student Rules, "the University views class attendance as an individual
student responsibility. The student is responsible for providing satisfactory
evidence to the instructor to substantiate the reason for an absence." Based
on these guidelines, the Department of Student Health Services will provide
class excuses for illnesses that are too severe and/or contagious for the
student to attend class. In this case, an excuse will be written by the
physician only after examining the patient and making the appropriate
determination. Students who have missed class prior to seeing a physician and
who, in the medical opinion of the physician, are not too ill or contagious to
attend class, will not receive a medical excuse for class.
Utilization of Health Center services does not indicate that a class excuse
will be given. Each patient is given a receipt upon payment for services;
however, this is not a class excuse and is solely for insurance purposes
should the student choose to file a claim. Students are encouraged to
communicate with their instructors if they are going to miss class for any
reason. A copy of Student Rules may be obtained from Student Activities in the
Koldus Building or at the following website:
http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm
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How do I get a copy of my
medical records?
Medical records can only be released upon
execution of a
Medical Records Release
Form. The form can be completed in
person, by mail or fax. If in person, go to the Registration Desk and sign in
for Medical Records, by mail send request to Texas A&M University, A.P.
Beutel Health Center, Attn: Medical Records, College Station 77843-1264, fax
request to (979) 458-8364. All requests must include the following
information:
- Name of the institution that is to release the information.
- Patient's full name, social security number, birth
date, and address.
- Dates of attendance at Texas A&M University.
- Name and address of the individual or institution that is to receive the
information.
- Extent or nature of the information to be released.
-
Signature of the patient and the date signed.
Student Health Services uses the
Report of Medical History and Immunization Record to collect
information regarding immunizations. The form is intended for our internal
use and it should not be considered an official immunization record.
We will provide a copy of the form for informational purposes only, not as
an official record. Similarly, we cannot certify other official records that
were submitted to us - a copy of a county health department record, primary
care physician's record, etc.
We will release documentation of immunizations that were administered by
TAMU Student Health Services as an official record.
If you require immunization records for admission or employment reasons, we
encourage you to acquire them directly from the source
A fee will be charged for copying, mailing, and faxing services. If you
have any questions call Medical Records at (979) 458-8362.
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What immunizations
are required?
Effective May 2, 2003, Texas A&M University will no longer be
requiring the submission of immunization records as a requirement for
class registration.
For more information, visit our Immunizations page.
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Is HIV/AIDS testing
available?
- AIDS Services offers free anonymous or confidential HIV blood testing at the Health Center on Thursdays from 1:00-4:30, with results available in 2 weeks. Anonymous testing means your name is not on the test, and confidential testing means your name is on the test, but the results are kept secure. Orasure, an oral HIV test, is also offered for $30 with results available in 3-5 working days. For more information, or to make an appointment, call Health Education at
458-8322.
- The Health Center also offers confidential HIV blood testing for $18 with results available in 3 working days. If the test is positive, a confirming test will be run.
Results will be in your Health Center Record
- Additional HIV Testing Locations:
AIDS Services of Brazos Valley
1702 B South Texas Avenue
(Sunnyland Center, Bryan)
Free Testing, Anonymous or Confidential
(979)260-AIDS
Brazos County Health Department
Corner of Texas Avenue and W.J. Bryan Pkwy.
(Downtown Bryan)
Free Testing, Anonymous or Confidential
(979)361-4450
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What specialists come
to the Health Center, and how can I see them?
-
Dietician -
General Surgery specialist
To see a specialist, a referral from a staff physician is
required. Top
Where can I
park?
Limited parking is available on the North side
of the building (lot 27). There is also 30 minute parking available next to
the YMCA building and on the North side of the MSC. To avoid parking problems,
campus shuttle busses ( Bonfire
(01),
Yell Practice (03),
Gig 'Em
(04),
Bush School
(05),
12th Man (06),
Wehner Express (07),
and
Ol' Sarge
(14)) stop at Fish Pond
next to the Health center. All shuttle bus maps are in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html
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What type of care is
available after regular Health Center hours?
After-Hours Program
The after-hours program for has resumed for the Fall. Monday through Thursday
from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm, students can be seen at the Health Center by
appointment or walk-in. Available services include: Medical Clinic, Immediate
Care, Radiology and Lab. Call (979) 458-8250 for an appointment.
Please note that a $15.00 after hours service charge will be applied to your
bill. Payment can be made at our cashier during the next business day or can
be transferred to your student fees.
DIAL-A-NURSE
Dial-a-nurse is a program staffed by
registered nurses to advise students regarding their non-emergency health
concerns. Various options for health care are explored with the student
including appointments at the Health Center, over-the-counter medicines, and
self-care for minor ailments. This service is available 24 hours
Monday-Sunday. Call Dial-A-Nurse at (979) 458-8379. The Health Center,
including Dial-A-Nurse, is closed during official university holidays.
Ambulance Service/EMS
Staffed by trained volunteer Texas A&M
students, EMS is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. If a situation
requires an ambulance, call the campus emergency telephone number
9-911.
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Is there a method for
student feedback?
Yes, please fill out our Online
Comment Form. Compliment and Complaint forms are also located
throughout the building. Student feedback is the best method to evaluate and
improve our services.
The Student Health Services Advisory Committee, comprised of students,
faculty, and staff, serves as a liaison between the administration of the
Health Center and students. Students volunteer to serve through the Student
Government Association.
If you would like to discuss your feedback with the director, call
Dr. Linda Lekawski at (979) 458-8300.
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Can I have
prescriptions from my personal physician filled at the Health Center
Pharmacy?
Yes, any prescription from a physician can be
filled as long the Health Center pharmacy carries the medication. Please
call the Pharmacy at 458-8292 to verify that they carry the medication.
If the medication is carried, you need to fill out and bring in the
Prescription Transfer Form.
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Why am I asked to arrive 20
minutes before my appointment?
Having patients arrive 20 minutes early ensures
that paper work can be transferred prior to the appointment. Also the patient
is sure to arrive before their appointment cancels. Appointments do not cancel
until the scheduled time. APPOINTMENTS VS.
WALK-IN
Walk-ins are welcome and will be processed through Triage. Triage patients are prioritized based on level of
acuity (those evaluated as needing urgent care will be sent to our
Immediate Care Unit) and there are a limited number of appointments
reserved for these same day appointments. Based on your
symptoms/complaint, it may or may not be appropriate for you to visit with a
Physician or Nurse Practitioner. During times of high
clinic usage, such as flu or allergy season, there may be significant wait
time for walk-in appointments.
Appointments are preferred and always highly recommended.
CANCELING AN
APPOINTMENT
To increase appointment slots available, students who cannot make their
appointment are encouraged to call ahead and reschedule or cancel the
appointment. To reschedule, call the appointment line at (979) 458-8250. To
cancel, call the cancellation line at (979) 458-8318. To cancel a
Physical Therapy appointment, call (979) 458-8383.
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