- Go to the Student Health web site, https://studenthealth.utah.edu/ and select “patient portal.”
- Login to the patient portal. If you are having trouble logging in please call 801-581-6431 option #3 and the receptionist will be happy to help you.
- After logging in, select “Uploads"
- Choose “Lab/Titer (blood test) Results” to upload titer results, choose “Scanned Immunization Records” to upload your immunization record, or “COVID vaccine card” to upload COVID vaccine card.
- Please check “Already Uploaded Files” to make sure your document has uploaded correctly.
- Go to the Student Health web site select patient portal at https://studenthealth.utah.edu/
- Login to the patient portal. If you are having trouble logging in please call 801-581-6432 and the receptionist will be happy to help you.
- After logging in, select “Uploads.”
- Choose “Staff Review Prior to Health Provider Visit” to upload your physical exam form or your outpatient lab orders.
- Please check “Already Uploaded Files” to make sure your document has uploaded correctly.
Please give the nursing staff 24-48 hours to look over paperwork before calling to make a walk- in appointment for labs or pre-physical.
How do I get a physical done that my program requires?
If you have forms for a physical exam please follow the steps under the question How do I upload documents (like physical exam forms)?
Common Illness Questions
I feel sick with symptoms like sore throat, cough, or runny nose. What should I do?
Usually the best thing to do if you become ill is to stay home and rest until your symptoms are improving and you are without a fever for 24 hours. Measure your temperature to see if you have a fever (a fever is a temperature of 100.4 or above). Numerous over the counter medicines are available for your symptoms. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are best for fever. If you have questions, message “Ask A Nurse” through our patient portal.
What are my options for COVID testing?
Antigen tests are available over the counter at most pharmacies, grocery stores, big box retailers, and online for minimal cost.
PCR tests are typically done at a provider’s office in conjunction with a provider appointment. These are more expensive and billed to insurance as part of a visit. PCR tests can remain positive for up to 90 days after an infection.
When is the best time to do a COVID test?
Typically, it’s best to do one 2-4 days after symptoms develop. After exposure, it usually takes 3 days to start to have symptoms, and then you are most infectious on days 3-10 on average.
I tested positive for COVID. What should I do?
You should remain at home for 5 days from either the start of your symptoms or the date of a positive test if no symptoms. It is then recommended that you wear a mask when you are away from home for another 5 days.
I tested negative for COVID. What should I do?
Please remain home until your symptoms are improving or you are without fever for 24 hours. If you need to go out, remember to wear a mask until you are feeling better. If you are still concerned this might be COVID (e.g., you were recently exposed), repeat an antigen test 5 days after your initial one.
My illness symptoms are lasting longer than I expected or I have developed a new fever. What should I do?
Please schedule a provider appointment for an evaluation. You may schedule by calling our center directly or by scheduling an appointment online. If we are closed, you may use any of the telehealth options listed on our home page or refer to the After-Hours Resource Guide for local in-person urgent care options.
Insurance: Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Why Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)?
- Eligible student cannot be denied as long as they are meeting the minimum credit hours required for the policy
- Fully ACA compliant
- Coverage will last thru the end of the policy period – even if the student needs to withdraw or leave school – provided they attend the first 30 days of classes
- Eligible students who buy the annual, or Spring/Summer plan can be seen at the Student Health Center even if not attending Summer semester.
- Large nation-wide provider network thru United Healthcare.
What do all these insurance terms mean?
- Premium- The amount of money you pay for the policy you select. Premiums are usually paid on a semester or yearly basis.
- Claim- Your (or your doctor’s) written request for payment by the insurance company for a cost incurred and covered by your policy.
- Deductible- The initial portion of a covered expense which must be paid by the insured person before the insurance policy pays its part of the expense.
- Co-Payment- The portion of a covered expense, after the deductible is paid, which must be paid by the insured individual. The co-payment is usually expressed in a percentage, for example, if the insurance company pays 80% of covered charges the co-payment is 20%.
- Exclusion- Any condition which is not covered by your insurance policy and for which no payments will be made.
- Covered Expense- Any expense that is included in the coverage of your policy, either full or partial.
- Insurance Policy- The written contract which spells out the plan, what it covers and does not cover, eligibility requirements, and all benefits of the plan as they apply to individuals covered under the policy.
Why don’t you accept my insurance as “in network”?
For clinics to be in network, they have to accept each plan’s terms and schedule of benefits (how much they pay) and this is different for each insurer. Given the number of students from around the country and all the different plans they are on, it’s impossible for our small staff to negotiate with each insurer.
How do I enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan?
Click on the Insurance tab above and select Student Health Insurance Plan for details on the plan and links to the policy page. International students SHOULD NOT sign up for the plan. You will be automatically enrolled.
Can I enroll my spouse and kids on the plan?
Yes, you can. Information is available on the insurer’s website. Please remember that spouses and children are subject to the same plan rules. They must be seen at the Student Health Center. So, if you want your children to continue to be seen at their regular pediatrician’s office, this plan might not be your best option. Call us if that’s the case.
I tried to make an appointment with a specialist and was told I need a referral. What’s that?
SHIP requires a referral (insurance authorization) from a Student Health Center provider to see a provider outside of the Center. The referrals are per condition and per policy year. So if a problem continues you need to request a new one with the start of a new policy year (after August 15th each year). Per condition means that if you get a referral for something like a broken leg, everything associated with that broken leg should be covered – but if you then broke an arm, that would require another referral. Call us if your bill doesn’t look like that happened.
I went to the ER and they referred me to a specialist. Does that count as a referral?
NO. Please schedule an appointment with a provider as soon as possible to make sure your post ER care will be covered appropriately. Patients never seen in the SHC will need to come in. If you have an established provider in the SHC, message them thru the patient portal about the ER visit. For most situations, they can assist you that way with the referral.
What if I didn’t get a referral?
See a provider at the Student Health Center! If you don’t have a referral, those visits ae billed as an out of network provider per the policy (high deductible and co-insurance).
When don’t I need a referral?
Emergency care, when the student health center is closed, pregnancy related care, mental illness treatment and substance use disorder treatment, or when medical care is received more than 25 miles away from campus.
I’m a graduate student and thought I had SHIP thru my department, but the provider says I don’t. What do I do?
Contact your graduate department to make sure you are enrolled.
How does the prescription benefit work?
-For prescriptions filled on or before August 15, 2024 (prior plan year) Click here to learn more about how to submit your prescription claim online.
-For current prescriptions, click here (UCHSR.com/utah) for plan details, copays, and prescription drug lists. A list of insurance FAQ's can be found by clicking here (link for Help Center: https://www.uhcsr.com/help-center)
-If you need to be reimbursed for a prescription for this plan year, click here (link to insurance forms: https://www.uhcsr.com/insurance-forms ) for the prescription reimbursement form.
International Students and Insurance
I’m an international student, do I need to sign up for the plan?
No. You will be enrolled automatically. If you have your own plan with the same or better coverage you can request a waiver.
How do I apply for a waiver?
Once you are enrolled in the health plan (usually the week prior to the beginning of the semester), you will receive a umail from us. The umail will have online waiver instructions attached. Waiver instructions are also listed under the International Tab on “flow chart”. You will not be able to apply for the waiver until you are enrolled in the insurance for the semester(s).
Are there specific dates that I can apply for a waiver?
Fall semester waivers are available from August 15 through September 12.
Spring semester waivers are available from December 2nd through February 10th.
Will I be able to request a waiver after the deadline?
If you miss the online waiver deadline, you will not be eligible for a waiver under any circumstances.
What documents are needed to apply for a waiver?
You will need a copy of the benefits of your insurance along with the dates of coverage document and your health insurance card.
What are the waiver requirements?
You will find the requirements under the International Students tab.
What are some reasons my waiver could be denied?
If your waiver does not meet all of the requirements, or begins after the date the student policy started, you will be given the opportunity to request coverage changes from your insurance company. If they are unable to help you, you will be required to purchase the student plan.
If I am returning home for the summer will I need to pay for summer insurance?
The premium for summer will be billed during spring enrollment. Graduation is the only event in which a refund will be considered.
I am graduating in May. How do I apply for a summer refund?
You must turn in your graduation application to Student Health no later than May 11 to have your refund considered.
Under what circumstance will a refund be denied?
If you are enrolled for summer or fall classes after graduation, you will not be granted a refund.
How does insurance work at the Student Health Center?
There are many different types of insurance plans that students may have. It is impossible for our staff to know all the different insurance policies, therefore, it is your responsibility to know your policy and where you will be covered. The Student Health Center is only contracted with United Healthcare Student Resources. Any other insurance may only make a partial payment or may pay nothing at all. Any balance not paid by your insurance is your responsibility.
Immunization and Other Health Requirements
What is the University’s immunization requirement?
Click on the Immunization Requirement icon for complete details. Medical, dental, and other clinical health science students have additional requirements which will be provided by your program (the student health center only manages the requirements for the medical and dental students).
What are the MMR vaccination intervals?
If given as a child, the first dose is given on/after your first birthday and then again when you are between 4-5 years of age.
Otherwise, the two required MMR vaccinations should be given 4-6 weeks apart. Example:
1st MMR on 01/01/2020
2nd MMR should be given on 02/01/2020 or after
You can be later than 6 weeks in getting your 2nd MMR but you CANNOT be earlier than 4 weeks to get your 2nd MMR.
Do you allow an exemption/waiver from the vaccine requirements?
Yes. Pursuant to Utah law, students may indicate a medical, religious, or personal exemption from receiving mandatory vaccines. Please click on the immunization requirement icon for instructions on how to request an exemption.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening (International Students)
How do I do my Tuberculosis Risk Assessment?
Click on the Patient Portal icon, and then click on the Forms tab once in the portal. The questionnaire will be listed if not completed.
My risk assessment was positive, what do I do?
Schedule an appointment with the Student Health Center for a test. You can either call the office, or click on the Appts tab on the Patient Portal. Select “International Student Check In” as the type of appointment.
My TB test was positive, what do I do?
Nursing staff will contact you to schedule an appointment with a provider for a chest x-ray. Once this is done your requirement is complete. The provider will discuss what a positive test means as well as the results of your x-ray.
Other Vaccine Questions
Do you offer flu shots?
Yes, we do, along with a full range of other vaccines.
What are the HPV vaccination intervals?
The Schedule for HPV/Gardasil vaccinations is as follows:
1st, 2nd dose given 1-2 months after first, and 3rd dose given 6 months after your first and at least 4 months after your second.
- 1st HPV/Gardasil 01/01/2020
- 2nd HPV/Gardasil 02/01/2020 or after
- 3rd HPV/Gardasil 07/01/2020 or after
You will not be able to get the 2nd HPV/Gardasil earlier than 4 weeks from the 1st, but you can get it any time after 4 weeks.
You will not be able to get the 3rd HPV/Gardasil earlier than 6 months from the 1st but you can get it any time after 6 months.
What are the Hepatitis B vaccination intervals?
The schedule for Hepatitis B Vaccination (HEPLISAV-B)is as follows:
2 dose series: 1st shot then 2nd shot 1 month or later after your first vaccination.
- 1st Heplisav- B 01/01/2024
- 2nd Heplisav- B 02/01/2024 or after
You will not be able to get the 2nd Heplisav- B before 4 weeks but can get it any time after 4 weeks.
I recently had COVID19. When can I start the vaccine?
The CDC currently recommends waiting until your symptoms have resolved and you have completed your isolation period. While you typically will not be re-infected in the first 90 days after your infection, immunity will wane. So get your vaccine as soon as you are able.
