Health

A student health fee ($816 for the 2001-02 academic year) covers most of the services provided at the four UHS locations: medical care by primary care physician and specialist, annual health maintenance examinations and related studies, radiology and routine laboratory services, confidential pregnancy testing, allergy shots (not including serums), health education, physical therapy, consultation with nutritionist, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and prenatal care. Services which require additional payment include routine eye examinations, contact lens evaluations/refitting, orthopedic supplies (including crutches and braces), prescription medications on the approved formulary, some immunizations and dental care (but see separate student dental plan).

Since the state of Massachusetts requires that students maintain a certain minimum of health coverage, the University offers Blue Cross/Blue Shield at a cost of $668 per year for single students. The policy is designed with UHS as the student's primary place for health care. If you need to be referred to a provider outside UHS, most costs will likely be covered by your student insurance, but there are some benefit limitations. Direct inquiries to the insurance office at Holyoke Center (495-2008).

You must select a primary care clinician or have one selected when you first call for an appointment. Having a primary care clinician allows you to build up a long-term relationship with a single medical professional to aid in treatment and diagnosis. You may change your primary care clinician at any time for any reason. If your primary care clinician is unavailable for any reason, you will be seen by another member of the team, who works closely with your clinician. The UHS Clinician Guide includes information about all primary care clinicians at UHS, including their education and training.

If you have any concerns about the care you are receiving-or should be receiving-contact one of the patient advocacy resources so that problems and deficiencies may be corrected as soon as possible. The UHS Patient Advocate (495-7583) provides assistance for patients who encounter difficulties with the UHS system. The Advocate may be contacted by phone or by filling out a Patient Satisfaction Survey at UHS. Alternatively, consult your peers at the Graduate Student Health Advisory Committee (GSHAC).

More information about UHS can be found at http://www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/handbooks/student/chapter7/uhs.html.

Urgent and Intensive Care
UHS operates during normal business hours. Outside of M-F 9am-5pm, the Urgent Care Clinic (Holyoke 5th floor; 495-5711) is always open. The after-hours entrance is at the base of the parking ramp running under Holyoke Center between Dunster and Holyoke on the Mt. Auburn Street side of the building. If possible, call ahead to determine whether you need to come in. The After Hours Urgent Care Clinic is staffed for urgent needs only; routine care is given by appointment.

The Stillman Infirmary (495-2034), on the fifth floor of Holyoke Center, is a licensed and certified acute care general inpatient hospital. It accommodates patients who do not require surgery or intensive care. Physician and nursing services, medicines, diagnostic tests and room and board are provided. Admission to the Infirmary is made on the basis of medical and psychological needs. Children under 12 years of age are not allowed. Admission to Stillman Infirmary is fully covered by the Harvard-sponsored insurance. On a regular basis the names of Stillman Infirmary patients are give to certain administrators, but without any details about diagnosis, treatment, or other confidential information.

For urgent mental health needs, call Mental Health Services (495-2042; see Mental Health Services below). Outside normal hours, you will be connected with the After Hours Urgent Care Clinic, which will then contact the appropriate on-call mental health clinician.

Dental Services
M, F 8 am-6pm
T, W, Th 8am-8pm
Sa 8am-noon
495-2063

Thanks to lobbying by groups such as GSHAC, Harvard students now have access to a student dental plan. This low-cost, high-quality plan allows you to keep your teeth in good shape while at Harvard. Care is provided by the dental staff at the UHS Dental Service (495-2063) or the Harvard Dental Center at the School of Dental Medicine (432-1434).

The plan is voluntary, prepaid, and available on a semester- or year-long basis to Harvard affiliates, their spouses and dependents. Each visit requires a $10 co-payment for cleaning or $20 for new visits. The Individual rate for the 2001-02 Student Dental Plan is about $140 for the full year. Coverage includes two cleanings and oral examinations per year (one every six months), bitewing radiographs (if required), fluoride treatments (if required), oral hygiene instructions and follow-up, amalgam restorations (silver filling), and composite restorations (tooth-colored fillings) on anterior teeth only. Treatments beyond these are available at student rates (discounted 14%) from the Harvard Dental Center or outside providers.

Weekday, weekend, and evening hours are available at both the UHS Dental Service and Harvard Dental Center. If there is a long delay for appointments at UHS in Holyoke Center, ask for the Longwood Dental Clinic at the Harvard Dental Center (waiting periods there are usually much shorter!). For more information, or a registration form, contact the UHS Insurance Office in Holyoke Center (495-2008) or see the UHS literature distributed at Registration.

Mental Health Services
University Mental Health Service (495-2042) has locations on the fourth floor of UHS in Holyoke Center, and at the Business, Law, and Medical School area Health Services. It is available to help with a variety of problems and situations. If you feel that it would be helpful to speak with a professional, do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of the experienced psychologists, psychiatric social workers, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists, as soon as possible. Many problems can often be resolved in just a few sessions.

Appointments can be made by phone. You may select a specific therapist, or request a female or male therapist, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a psychiatric social worker. Emergency care is available after hours by contacting the Urgent Care Clinic (495-5711; see above).

The Mental Health Service offers a number of support programs which provide a comfortable, safe, confidential atmosphere for a group of people with a common concern. The AIDS Support Group, for example, is available to those who have anxiety about the HIV virus, testing, AIDS, and related issues for themselves, family, or friends. Life Raft is a bereavement group and resource for people facing life threatening illness or death for themselves, family, or friends. More information about support groups is available by calling the Mental Health Service (495-2042).

Notes from Mental Health Service visits are kept separate from your medical record. While your therapist has access to your medical record, the only mental health information which will appear in your medical record includes factors of which physicians treating you for other problems should be aware (such as medications). Any concerns about confidentiality may be addressed to the Chief of the Mental Health Service or to the Patient Advocate at 495-7583.

In Common (354-TALK / 495-9354) is the Harvard University graduate student peer counseling hotline. It serves the GSAS, Divinity School, School of Education, Design School, Law School, School of Public Health, and Kennedy School student community. The hotline is open from September through May, Sunday through Thursdays, 8pm to midnight (excluding holidays). The volunteer staff are available to listen to fellow graduate students who need to talk about any issue, be it trivial or traumatic. In Common also serves as an excellent referral source to other Harvard organizations and services, or local hotlines and support groups. All graduate students are invited to serve as volunteer counselors on the hotline; if interested, leave a phone message on the hotline.

The Bureau of Study Counsel (495-2581, see description in this guide), located at 5 Linden Street, offers academic and general counseling to College and GSAS students. The Bureau offers a number of groups and workshops on specific issues, such as relationships, procrastination, and assertiveness, as well as support groups for dissertation writers. Counseling and brief psychotherapy is available from the staff by appointment. The Bureau has a research interest in the intellectual and ethical development of college-age students, and staff members are available for conversation about teaching and learning. There is one counselor on staff who is dedicated exclusively to GSAS Students.

Sponsored by Grad Resources, 1-877-GRAD-HLP is a crisis hotline staffed by the same 50 highly-trained, professional counselors who operate the Boys Town National Hotline, the only national hotline with the accreditation of both the American Association of Suicidology and the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children. Trained counselors empathize with callers' concerns, assess each caller's situational risk, and other services for follow-up. Although affiliated with the Campus Crusade for Christ, this service is not religious.

Other Specialists
UHS has Board Certified specialists on staff in the areas of allergy, dermatology, ENT, endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynecology, hematology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, podiatry, rheumatology, general surgery, and urology. You must first see a primary care clinician in order to be referred to a specialist. UHS also has links with additional specialists in a range of other specialties for consultation as needed. Coverage with outside specialists will depend upon your specific insurance plan. Additional specialties include pediatrics-available to dependents of students who have enrolled in the Harvard Student Health Plan-and women's health, including gynecology, birth control, pregnancy tests, obstetrics, and pregnancy counseling.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), is really a whole spectrum of ailments, from tendonitis of the hand or wrist, to carpal-tunnel syndrome, to cubital tunnel syndrome. It is frequently the product of extensive typing on computer keyboards. Students have become increasingly afflicted with this crippling hand/arm injury by overextending themselves while typing. It can be very painful and can last for months or years. Most graduate students with RSI find it severely interferes with working on their dissertations, teaching, and carrying out other responsibilities, as well as with many activities of daily life (even opening doors can be painful).

To help prevent RSI: make sure to take frequent breaks from typing, about one or two minutes for every fifteen minutes of typing. Avoid resting your wrists or arms while typing, and move your whole hand to reach keys, rather than bending or twisting your wrist. If you do sense any signs of RSI-such as pain, numbness or tingling--see a doctor immediately. Harvard RSI Action, a student organization, can provide more information, advocacy and support. Also consult the Student Disability Resources page.