University Health Services is part of the Division of Student
Affairs. It provides healthcare and public health leadership to
support students in reaching their optimal health so they can
achieve their academic and personal potential. To that end,
University Health Services provides: (1) a broad range of
professional medical services for the prompt diagnosis and
treatment of illnesses and injuries; (2) a variety of disease
prevention programs and public health initiatives, including the
promotion of a healthy campus; (3) immunizations for
vaccine-preventable diseases; and, (4) other public health services
such as responding to certain infectious diseases on campus.
For a detailed discussion of benefits and services offered, see
the University Health Services website.
The Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer
- The executive director and chief medical officer is responsible
for all clinical services, initiatives, and programs; provides
organizational oversight, campus leadership, and strategic planning
activities of University Health Services; and reports to the
associate vice president for student affairs.
- The executive director and chief medical officer is responsible
for serving as a liaison to campus leaders and media and for
planning for and responding to campus public health
emergencies.
- The executive director and chief medical officer is responsible
for establishing the clinic structure and specifying functional
relationships among organizational components of clinical and
clinic support operations, providing for the orderly development
and management of the unit, supporting a policy on patients’ rights
and responsibilities, maintaining a program that evaluates the
quality of care provided, and appropriately addressing identified
problems.
- The executive director and chief medical officer is responsible
for providing consultation in matters concerning the delivery of
healthcare services and emerging public health issues affecting the
University of Texas at Austin.
. Medical Clearance Requirements for New and Returning Students,
Fees, Payment for Services, Eligibility for University Health
Services
Medical Clearance Requirements
- Unless exempted as described in this paragraph, all entering
students who will be under the age of 22 on the first class day of
the semester in which they are enrolling must submit documentation
that they have received a meningococcal disease (bacterial
meningitis) vaccine administered within five years of and at least
ten days before the first class day of the semester in which they
are enrolling. This includes transfer students and students who
previously attended the university or another institution of higher
education, or private or independent institution of higher
education and who are entering the university following a break in
enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester. Students age 22
or older or who are enrolled only in online or distance courses are
exempt from the meningococcal vaccine requirement. Additional
medical clearance requirements for entering international students
are described in Sec. 4-301(b).
Acceptable documentation includes a certificate signed by a
healthcare practitioner or an official immunization record showing
the month, day and year the meningococcal vaccination was
administered (e.g. school record, medical record, immunization card
signed by a health practitioner, etc.).
Entering students who are not exempted and who have not provided
documentation of an exclusion as described in Sec. 4-301(c) will
not be allowed to register for classes until they comply with the
meningococcal vaccine requirement. Students should go to the
University Health Services website for instructions on how to
submit their documentation. Students should submit vaccine-related
documentation at least two weeks before their intended registration
date to allow for sufficient processing time.
- International students entering for any semester must also
provide proof of the following, certified by a physician or nurse,
before they will be allowed to register for classes:
- Proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella as documented
by:
- two doses of Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine with the first
dose administered on or after the first birthday and the second
dose administered at least twenty-eight days after the first dose,
or
- two doses of measles vaccine and mumps vaccine, with the first
dose being administered on or after the first birthday and the
second dose being administered at least 28 days after the first
doses AND one dose of rubella vaccine administered on or after the
first birthday, or
- a positive blood test (titer) showing protective antibodies to
all three diseases (must include a copy of the official lab
report).
- Proof of a tuberculosis (TB) screening test administered on or
after the date listed at Medical Clearance Requirements for
International Students. If either test (below) is positive,
documentation of a chest x-ray performed in the U.S. on or after
the same date is required, regardless of a history of previous
treatment. TB screening tests must be documented by
- A PPD (Mantoux) skin test administered and interpreted in the
United States and reported in millimeters (MM), regardless of a
prior BCG vaccination or
- Results of an IGRA blood test (may be performed outside of the
United States). Must be documented in English AND a copy of the
official lab report must be included
- International students must complete and return a TB and
Vaccination History for International Students form to University
Health Services prior to registration. The form is available at the
University Health Services website. If a student’s healthcare
provider cannot complete and sign the form, other types of official
documentation of the medical clearance requirements can be
submitted
- Exclusion from immunization requirements in Sec. 4-301(a)(b)
may be allowed for medical contraindications or reasons of
conscience, including religious conflict. Instructions for how to
submit an affidavit for an exclusion can be found here. Any student
requesting a waiver of the requirements must provide either:
- An affidavit or certificate signed by a physician duly licensed
under the Medical Practice Act, stating that in his or her opinion
as a physician the required immunization(s) could be injurious to
the student’s health, or
- For reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, a
completed and notarized original Texas Department of State Health
Services Vaccine Exemption Affidavit Form (signed by the student's
parent or guardian, if a minor). Students can request this form at
the Texas Department of State Health Services website. During
emergencies or epidemics declared by the commissioner of health of
the State of Texas, disasters, or other emergencies, exemption on
the basis of reasons of conscience, including religious conflict,
may be denied.
Sec. 4–302. Fees
University Health Services is funded by tuition paid by students
and by charges for supplies and services. There are charges
associated with University Health Services clinic visits. A charge
applies for missed appointments or appointments not canceled in the
specified time frame for the appointment type. The complete
University Health Services Charges Statement, as well as a schedule
of selected discounted charges for uninsured or underinsured
students or students with Medicare or Medicaid, is posted
online.
Sec. 4–303. Payment for Services
Any student who incurs a charge for services rendered by
University Health Services must pay the charges owed, but they do
not have to pay for services on the date they are provided, except
for students who have health insurance and request that a claim not
be filed with their insurance company. University Health Services
can assist a student in making arrangements for a payment plan. If
payment is not received or arrangements for payment are not made
within ten days of the date charges are posted to "What I Owe," a
financial bar will be placed on the student’s record. Transcripts,
diplomas, and/or continued registration will be withheld until
outstanding charges have been paid.
University Health Services can file claims for payment with most
health insurance plans; however, health insurance is not required
to use University Health Services.. For more information, including
types of plans with which claims can and cannot be filed, go to the
University Health Services website.
By providing their insurance information, a student authorizes
University Health Services to file a claim with the student's
insurance company for services rendered. A student who does not
want an insurance claim to be filed for medical services must let
University Health Services know at the time of their
appointment.
A student's insurance company may determine that some or all
charges incurred at University Health Services are not covered. The
student is responsible for learning what their insurance
covers.
For students who do not have health insurance and cannot or
prefer not to pay at the time of service or who have health
insurance that does not pay for a part or all of their charges,
University Health Services will post their balance to "What I Owe."
Discounted rates are available for students who do not have
insurance, who are underinsured, or who are covered by Medicare or
Medicaid.
Sec. 4–304. Eligibility for University Health Services
- An individual may use University Health Services if:
- the person is a currently enrolled student at the
university;
- the person has been admitted to the university and needs
required or recommended immunizations or medical tests in order to
matriculate;
- for Urgent Care services only, the person is participating in
university-sponsored short-term activities such as seminars,
institutes, and workshops, provided the sponsoring agency has
entered into an agreement with University Health Services by
properly completing the Request to Use University Health Services
form and paying the associated agreement fee; the sponsoring
department is responsible for any unpaid charges incurred by
program participants;
- the person is a university faculty or staff member who is
participating in a public health or immunization program; faculty
and staff members are not eligible for regular services, with the
exception of travel-related immunizations, nutrition services,
physical therapy, certain campus outreach and educational programs,
and services arranged and paid for by Interdepartmental Transfer by
a university department;
- the person has paid a University Health Services Service
Extension Fee and was registered during the semester immediately
preceding the semester when services are requested (excluding
university students who have graduated or who withdrew from the
university before the twelfth class day of the prior
semester);
- the person has been admitted to the university, has paid a
University Health Services Service Extension Fee, and will enroll
the semester following the time services are requested;
- the person has paid a University Health Services Service
Extension fee and is a visiting scholar/researcher who is not
officially registered for classes at the university, a
post-doctoral fellow, or a person enrolled in the English as a
Second Language Program; or,
- the person is a student from another University of Texas System
institution that has entered into an agreement with the university,
otherwise called a Contractual Student.
- Registered students become eligible to use University Health
Services the day university residence halls open for that semester,
with the exception of International Students who become eligible on
the first day of coverage of the student health insurance plan.
Students remain eligible for services until the day before
residence halls open for the subsequent semester. Specific
eligibility dates are given in the Academic Calendar published in
the General Information Catalog and at the registrar
website.
Subchapter 4–400. General Administrative Policies
Sec. 4–401. Informed Consent
The parent or guardian of a minor student must give appropriate
consent for treatment before care can be provided at University
Health Services, except when a minor student meets State of Texas
criteria to consent for their own care or in cases where immediate
medical care is required to stabilize a patient for transfer to an
emergency facility.
Sec. 4–402. Medical Withdrawal from the University
Requests for withdrawal from the University for medical reasons
may be initiated at the request of a student. Applications to
request consideration of a medical withdrawal should be submitted
to Services for Students with Disabilities. Services for Students
with Disabilities will involve University Health Services or the
appropriate dean’s office, as indicated by the student’s particular
circumstances.
Sec. 4–403. Course Load Reduction
Approval of requests for course load reductions are always the
prerogative of the academic dean when medical reasons are given.
Applications to request consideration of a course load reduction
should be submitted to Services for Students with Disabilities.
Services for Students with Disabilities will request a
recommendation from the University Health Services executive
director and chief medical officer. Once the executive director and
chief medical officer signs the application, University Health
Services will submit it to the appropriate dean's office for a
final decision.
Sec. 4–404. Responsibility of University Health Services
Any intentional action on the part of the student that is
against the advice of a University Health Services health care
provider abrogates all responsibility on the part of University
Health Services.
Sec. 4–405. Requests to Administer Medications
Requests to administer medications ordered by a private
physician must be within the scope of services offered at
University Health Services, meet the standard of care provided by
University Health Services medical staff, be supported by
appropriate medical documentation from the prescribing physician,
and be approved by the executive director and chief medical
officer.
Sec. 4–406. Routine, Urgent, and Emergency Care Services
- University Health Services is not equipped to manage medical
emergencies. In the case of a medical emergency, students should
call 911.
- For routine health concerns, students may schedule appointments
by calling (512) 471-4955 during posted weekday business hours.
Students can also schedule many types of appointments online.
- Students who need prompt medical attention for illnesses or
injuries may be asked to come to University Health Services for an
urgent care visit not requiring an appointment.
- Regular operating hours, as well as those for the summer
semester, holidays, and semester breaks are posted on the
University Health Services website.
Sec. 4-407. 24-hour Nurse Advice Line
The University Health Services Nurse Advice Line (512-475-6877)
is available for students 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Advice Line nurses can help students determine whether and how soon
they need medical care or can provide self-care advice for
illnesses and injuries when appropriate
Sec. 4–408. Treatment at Other Facilities
- University Health Services assumes no financial responsibility
for a student’s care at another medical facility.
- A student who goes to or is taken to another medical facility
for emergency or other treatment, regardless of geographical
location or other circumstantial factors, is responsible for all
resulting costs.
Sec. 4–409. Personal Property
- University Health Services is not responsible for a student’s
personal belongings; the student is responsible for arranging for
the safekeeping of these articles.
- In instances when it is necessary for University Health
Services to maintain custody of a patient’s property or when a
patient leaves personal possessions in waiting rooms or clinics,
University Health Services will exercise all prudent means of
securing and returning such property to the owner but cannot be
held responsible for losses through theft.
Sec. 4–410. Medical Records
All original medical records (whether electronic or paper) and
other records of treatment, whether originating within University
Health Services or another facility or provider, are the property
of University Health Services. Medical information may be disclosed
as required by state or federal law. Additional information from
patient records will be released only with informed written
consent. Students have the right to review, inspect or request
copies of their medical records.