Frequently Asked Questions

Flu Testing and Antiviral Medication

If you’re experiencing flu-like illness, you may be curious or worried about whether or not you have the new H1N1 (“swine”) influenza. If you visit us for a flu-like illness, you may not be tested for, or given antiviral medication for the virus. Why? Our health center follows established public health guidelines,  and because H1N1 is already circulating in Tompkins County and Ithaca, our local and state health departments assume most people now contracting the flu have H1N1. They do not recommend routine testing  to verify the type.  (They will recommend testing for people hospitalized with an influenza-like illness and those at high risk. They may also recommend testing individuals who are part of a new outbreak within a camp, day care, or other congregate setting.) Thus far, local flu cases have been relatively mild, requiring little or no medical treatment. Self-care guidelines, including rest and symptom management, are the same regardless of the kind of flu one develops (seasonal flu, new H1N1, or other). Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu are not recommended for the majority of individuals who are ill or exposed. (Women who are pregnant, and people with other chronic health risks may be exceptions.)

Personal Prevention - Your health is in your own two (clean!) hands, so follow this flu prevention advice from health experts. Avoid the Flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash afer you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand clearners are also effective.
• Wipe down/clean shared surfaces (doorknobs, keyboards, phones, etc.) with disinfectant.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Get a seasonal flu vaccine.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest.

Prepare a Health Kit:

Most individuals who develop flu symptoms can recover at home with little or no medical intervention. However, appropriate self-care is important. We encourage all members of our living and learning communities to prepare a health kit for self-care during the flu season.

Contents should include:

1. a digital thermometer
2. acetaminophen or ibuprofen
3. decongestants
4. cough drops and/or cough syrup
5. tissues
6. alcohol-based hand cleaner
7. face masks in case leaving your recovery space becomes unavoidable (for medicare care, etc.) or if close contact with an ill individual is unavoidable in a living situation

Travel Health

We do offer pre-travel medical visits for students planning international travel. Services include recommended travel vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis and medical travel advice. The Hammond Health Center has been designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Yellow Fever Vaccination Center. We recommend that students schedule their pre-travel medical visits at least 4-6 weeks prior to their departure abroad. They should bring a copy of all their prior vaccination records and their exact travel itinerary to the visit.

Being seen at the Health Center:

To see the MD/PA or RN, there is no charge for the actual visit. The fees you may encounter during your visit could include: laboratory testing, medications, x-rays, allergen injections, nebulizer treatments and EKGs.

Should you make an appointment or come as a work-in?     Appointments are always preferred and we also have same day acute appointment openings. Call us at 274-3754 and see if there are any available for that day. Work-ins are seen on a first-come-first-serve basis. During peak times (12pm-2pm) wait times may be lengthy. Work-ins are reserved for acute problems, not chronic illnesses. Not all illnesses can be handled via work-in appointment, as some require a longer time period with a physician. It is always best to call before coming into the Health Center, in the event an actual appointment is needed. Physical exams or annual pap exams are never performed on a work-in basis, as the time needed is too lengthy.

A Note for Professors that you were seen at the Health Center:

We do not provide a written excuse that you were seen at the Health Center. Your professors are aware that we do not issue 'blue notes' documenting students visits at the Health Center. This was initiated in Spring 2005 after extensive discssuion and support of the Provost and the Faculty Council. Students should promptly and proactively communicate with their instructors if they are ill and need to miss class.  When necessary in a prolonged, severe or unusual illness, we will assist with documentation after obtaining signed release of information forms.

Medication Room:

If you are on one of the birth control pills we carry Alesse, Ortho tri cyclen, Ortho-novum 1/35, your doctor can fax us a copy of your prescription and you can make a nurse appointment at the Health Center to have it rewritten by one of our clinicians so you can fill it at the Hammond Health Center Medication Room.

For any prescription medication we do not carry in stock at the Medication Room, you can have your physician call it directly in to Kinney Drug (607) 272-8333 and they will fill and deliver it the Hammond Health Center Medication Room for you to pick up on campus.  If you have private insurance, you can bring the card here and we will copy and fax it to Kinney Drug for you. Kinney Drugs delivers to the Hammond Health Center medication room Mon-Fri twice a day.
 

Our Medication Room also sells over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen,  condoms (6/$1), OTC pregnancy tests, Band-Aids, Thermometers. Come in and ask we can go over what we can offer over the counter.

Laboratory testing:

*Will my insurance cover these tests?* If you have private insurance you should check with your individual insurance company regarding coverage-usually the phone number is on the back of your card. Your parents may have already checked on this before you came to college, you may also want to consult with them. Ithaca College student group insurance covers tests related to illness or accident, STI workups, and PAPs. Student group insurance does not cover well visits such as physicals.

*Can you bill my parent's health insurance?* Not directly, we will provide an itemized bill with diagnoses and CPT codes that insurance companies require for your submission.

*Will somebody contact me with my lab results?* We will provide you with the phone number to reach the lab result nurse. She will give you the test information as well as additional information or instructions from the provider after he/she reviews your results. Individual providers may make alternative arrangements on a case by case basis to contact you directly with results.

*Will my results get faxed to my (home)doctor?* Yes, if you have signed a release of information form to allow us to send the results.

*If my doctor at home sends in orders, can I have my blood drawn here? *Yes, see above. We will do tests on site that we are licensed to perform, and others will be sent to our reference laboratory for analysis.

*How long will it take to get my results?* This is variable depending on the test, but the average turn around time for most tests is 48 hours. We will provide this information at the time of collection for any given test.

Student Group Insurance:

WHAT IS IT? 

It is a Blanket Accident and Health Insurance Policy, which is coverage for medical care whether on campus, traveling, or at home.

It covers most Health Center charges, such as labs, x-rays and formulary, in house, medications.

It has basic ‘up-front’ coverage, then a deductible, and then supplemental coverage to maximum of $10,000 per injury or illness.

There is an optional major medical expense benefit available directly through Student Resources Insurance, which increases the maximum coverage per illness to $250,000. 

WHAT DOES THIS COST?

Basic policy annual fee is $430.00.

Optional additional major medical can be purchased directly through Student Resources Insurance.

IS THIS COVERAGE FOR THE FULL YEAR OR ACADEMIC YEAR? 

12- month policy effective August 15 through August 14 of any given year.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS COVERED?

You can find a copy of the policy brochure on line at www.uhcsr.com, which explains coverage in detail. 

IS THERE PSYCHOLOGICAL COVERAGE?

Benefits are paid for psychological visits the same as any other physician visit

IS THERE DENTAL OR EYE GLASS COVERAGE?    

No

WHAT ABOUT ATHLETIC INJURIES?

The policy covers the first $700.00 of an athletic injury

The Ithaca College Athletic Insurance is supplemental coverage, meaning that it is secondary to, or in excess of, your personal family or student medical insurance coverage.  Ithaca College requires that you comply with the requirements of your primary health insurance plan before you are eligible for the supplementary benefits under the College's athletic plan.

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT THE INSURANCE?

If you do not desire coverage, you must submit a waiver in order to have the charge removed.  You may submit the waiver online by logging on to HomerConnect using your pin number before the deadline date.  At the main menu, click “Student Financial Aid and Residential Life” and then select “Health Services”. 

This must be done each year.

CAN MY STUDENT STILL USE THE HEALTH CENTER IF THEY WAIVE THE INSURANCE?

Yes---you must have some type of insurance coverage, but the HC is available to any matriculating student.  There are some services that we charge for and  we do not bill direct to private insurance companies.

WHICH IS THE PRIMARY INSURANCE?

Your student is listed on this policy and therefore it is the primary coverage for your student.  If you have charges, file first with the student group and then submit balances with any other policy.