Grab your FREE insulated Healthyhorns grocery tote bag at one of our presentations or the Resource Fair/BBQ during Family Orientation.
UHS staff will be available at the Longhorn Neighborhood and the Student Organization and Resource Fair and BBQ during Family Orientation Sessions.
Also attend a short UHS presentation to learn about UHS services, insurance and charges, staff, quality indicators and your Longhorn's summer health checklist.
At University Health Services, your son or daughter will receive the highest quality care in a supportive environment that focuses on the needs of college students. You can expect everything from UHS that you get from your family doctor... and more. Take some time to browse our website.
Our accredited facility is conveniently located in the Student Services Building (SSB) on W. Dean Keeton between University and Wichita Streets.
UHS healthcare providers are physicians, advanced nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They are supported by teams of nurses, laboratory and radiological technologists, licensed counselors, registered dietitians, and professional health educators. If your Longhorn needs medical specialty care not offered at UHS, we can refer him or her to appropriate community resources.
NEW meningococcal (bacterial meningitis) vaccine requirement for entering UT students. Your Longhorn may need a second shot.
Your longhorn will not be able to register for classes, even at new student orientation sessions, until UHS has received documentation that they have complied with this requirement. Entering students must have had the vaccine during the five year period prior to, but no later than ten days before the first day of the semester they will enter UT Austin. Therefore, many students will need a more current dose of the vaccine to comply.
For information on additional vaccines and medical tests that are required for international students and vaccines that are recommended for all entering students, click the link below.
Students can schedule most UHS appointments online or can call the UHS Appointments Line at (512) 471-4955. A limited number of same-day appointments and an Urgent Care Clinic are reserved for students with pressing medical conditions.
Students can call the UHS 24-hour Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877 anytime 24/7/365 to get guidance about whether and how to care for themselves at home, schedule an appointment, come to our Urgent Care Clinic, or go to an off-campus 24-hour clinic or emergency room.
Charges and Billing
There is a nominal charge for office visits, and charges apply for all tests, procedures, and supplies used to diagnose and treat illness and injuries. Details about charges and payment options can be found on our Charges page.
UHS is not health insurance, and UT students are not automatically enrolled in an insurance plan. UHS can bill your insurance if your policy covers your student. Click the link below to learn how insurance works at UHS.
Students without health insurance can use UHS. However, your Longhorn may need medical care when UHS is closed, require specialty services not provided at UHS, or suffer an illness or injury that requires an emergency room visit or hospitalization. Keep your son or daughter on your insurance plan if possible. Otherwise, consider Student Health Insurance, a UT System-approved plan by Academic Health Plans- Blue Cross Blue Shield. Click the link below for details.
Complete required health forms online. Make it easy on your Longhorn by helping them enter their health history and insurance information before they need an appointment at UHS. For complete instructions, go to:
Ensure that your Longhorn has complied with vaccine and (for international students) medical test requirements. Students entering in January 2012 and thereafter must provide documentation to UHS that they have complied with a new meningococcal (bacterial meningitis) vaccine requirement before they will be allowed to register for classes. Many students will have to get a second meningococcal vaccine to comply. International students must comply with additional vaccine and medical test requirements. Also check your Longhorn's immunization records to see if they are current with vaccines that are recommended (but not required) for students.
Discuss any seasonal, food, or drug allergies and their personal and family medical histories. They will need to be able to give this information to healthcare providers.
Review your insurance plan with your son or daughter.
Give them copies of their medical, prescription drug, dental, and/or vision insurance cards.
Show them how to contact your insurance company online and by phone.
If your plan requires the use of a specific hospital, write it on their card.
Explain how insurance works:
Generally, what your plan(s) covers
The difference between in-network and out-of-network care
Any requirements for pre-approval
Whether and when they must notify their insurance company following hospitalization or emergency room care
Discuss how to manage prescription medications.
Explain the difference between a prescription refill and a renewal.
Stress planning ahead for refills or renewals so they don't run out of medication.
Give them a list of contact information for healthcare providers who prescribe any of their medications.
Consider transferring ongoing prescriptions to the Forty Acres Pharmacy.
Stock their medicine cabinet or dorm room first-aid kit. Our nurses often refer to over-the-counter medications and first-aid supplies. If they ever run out, these items are available in the Forty Acres Pharmacy.
Supply them with hand sanitizer for their backpack or purse. Encourage frequent hand washing/sanitizing to prevent colds, flu, sore throats, and stomach upsets.
Plan ahead for special circumstances.
If your Longhorn wears contact lenses, send both eyeglasses and contact lenses. Late nights, allergies, or eye infections can make wearing contacts uncomfortable or impossible.
Significant chronic health conditions: Their healthcare provider at home may want to summarize their treatment plan and give your son or daughter copies of any relevant medical records. Your Longhorn can schedule an appointment with a UHS healthcare provider, bring this information with them, and ask that it be put in their medical chart at UHS. Please do not send medical records directly to UHS.
For students in recovery: The UT Center for Students in Recovery (CSR) provides support and programming for students who are actively involved in recovery from addiction. CSR helps recovering students protect their sobriety and succeed in college with a safe and supportive social network, strong monitoring and accountability, regular meeting attendance, and opportunities to be of service to others. Students involved in this robust program earn higher-than-average grades and graduate in impressive numbers. Scholarships available to those who qualify. Visit the UT Center for Students in Recovery page to learn more about how we can help your Longhorn achieve their dreams.
ADD/ADHD: Determine how your Longhorn will obtain and fill their monthly prescriptions. The Forty Acres Pharmacy can fill ADD/ADHD prescriptions written by healthcare providers who are licensed to practice in the State of Texas. Your son or daughter may be able to transfer their care to the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center with sufficient documentation. Click the link below to learn more.
Learn about AlcoholEdu, a new, innovative resource available to the entire Longhorn community. Because UT cares about students' health and safety, the University expects every incoming first-year/freshman and transfer student under the age of 21 to complete AlcoholEdu for College before arriving on campus.
Talk to your Longhorn about alcohol, healthy sexuality, and healthy eating.
What you say matters. The best way to affect your student's choices regarding alcohol use, sexual behavior, and other potentially risky activities is to make your expectations clear to them. We know that students trust health information they get from parents. Discuss healthy choices with your Longhorn.
Here are some tips to get started:
Be informed.
According to UT-Austin results for the 2008 National College Health Assessment Survey:
72% of UT students consumed alcohol in the past 30 days.
69% had at least one sexual partner in the last year.
19% regularly skip breakfast.
Review UT rules, state and federal laws regarding alcohol and drug use.
State your expectations about being safe, making good grades, or making choices based on values.
Help your student think through situations that may occur. For example:
What will you do if you're at a party where everyone is drinking? How will you get home safely? Will you take the E-Bus? How will you recognize alcohol poisoning, and what will you do?
A lot of students have sex in college. How will you protect yourself if you choose to be sexually active? If you choose not to have sex, how will you make that clear to people you're dating?
Students who eat breakfast are more successful academically than those who don't. How will you make sure you eat enough and eat healthy foods?
Follow up
Check in with your Longhorn and offer support. If you are concerned about your Longhorn, know that help is available.
The UHS Health Promotion Resource Center offers individual consultations with students on alcohol or drug use, healthy sexuality, and nutrition. We also teach classes and workshops about how students can get and stay healthy on campus.
Your son or daughter's transition to college is a transition for you as well. Learn what you might be facing, how to deal with it, and how you can help your child from a distance.
Subscribe to Healthy Horns, an email list for UT parents.
We know that your student will continue to turn to you for advice. That's why we want to keep you updated about UHS services, special events like flu shots, current campus health issues, and tips to help you help your Longhorn. Email sympa@utlists.utexas.edu with "sub healthyhorns" in the subject line.
