Student Health

8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (During Fall and Spring Semesters)

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturdays (During Fall and Spring Semesters)

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (During Summer Session and breaks)

To be seen by a UHS provider, an appointment is required.

To schedule an appointment, call 859-323-2778 or schedule on MyChart. 

If you are a full-time UK student, you have access to unlimited, free office visits at the campus medical clinic, University Health Service (UHS), through the Health Fee.  

The Health Fee is one of the mandatory fees assessed to full-time undergraduate and graduate students during the fall and spring semesters. The health fee cannot be waived, even if a student has their own health insurance. The health fee is only added when a student is taking on-campus classes. Students that are part-time or taking online classes are eligible to purchase the Health Fee. 

Why Choose UHS?

• Office visits are covered under the Health Fee
• UHS offers all of the recommended vaccinations for students
• UHS clinicians understand the unique health needs of students and can coordinate with other campus resources

The board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, counselors, and professional staff at UHS provide high-quality care.

Primary care appointments provide a vast range of services for the student population.

• Preventative care visits can include routine physical exams, sports physicals, employment physicals, and travel physicals as well as chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes, and high blood pressure.
• Acute care is offered for unexpected illnesses and injuries. (For obvious serious injuries, such as compound fractures or head trauma, seek care at the local emergency department.)
• Flu shots are offered each year unless there is a shortage of flu vaccines. 

Students must make an appointment to be treated at UHS. We do not take walk-ins, so please call or schedule an appointment. Students can usually be seen the same day or the next day.

To make an appointment, call 859-323-2778 or schedule through MyChart

To make a Behavioral Health appointment call 859-323-5511

Here is a video on how to schedule an appointment via MyChart

The Health Fee covers unlimited office visits for:

• Allergy injections (With orders from an allergy doctor)
• Behavioral Health 
• GYN/GU (gynecology/genitourinary care)
• Triage Nurse- is available for consultation about illness, injuries, lab results, or other health concerns.
• Primary care 
• Observation room care
• On-call physician for after-hours advice
• Limited medications
• Some STI lab testing
• Routine, travel, sport, and employment physical exams.
• In-office tests (Flu/RSV and covid)
• Orthopedic 
• Dietician/Nutritionist 
• Transformative Health 

Services NOT covered by the Health Fee are billed as self pay or through private/commerical insurance. These services include but are not limited to:

• Dentistry
• Diagnostic testing (such as MRI or CT Scans)
• Durable Medical Equipment
• Emergency room visits
• Hospitalization
• Immunizations 
• Some in-clinic procedures 
• Laboratory services 
• Most prescriptions
• Ophthalmology (vision screens and/or prescription lenses)
• Referrals to specialty clinics (such as physical therapy or orthopedic surgery)
• Surgery
• X-rays

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Please bring the following to every appointment, every time

• Your student ID 
• Your insurance cards 
• Payment in the form of a credit/debit card or UHS/UKHC will bill your private/commercial insurance for services. (The Health Fee only covers your office visit. If you get a prescription or need an appliance such as crutches, you will be expected to pay or it can be billed to insurance). Please be aware you will be expected to pay for anything not covered by your health insurance
• For billing questions please contact UKHC Financial Services at 1-800-967-2131
• Outside records if you are following up here for something that was initially treated elsewhere

How to Cancel an Appointment

• To cancel an appointment, call 859-323-2778 to give notice that you will not be able to make your appointment and reschedule if possible. You may also cancel through your MyChart account. 

About Parental Notification

All visits to UHS are confidential per HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines. Your parents will not be notified when you visit UHS. This may change, however, if you have procedures that are not covered by the Health Fee and must be covered by your health insurance.

If you choose to use your parents’ insurance for coverage, there is the possibility that your parents will see any services provided. You can speak to your UHS clinician, as well as your insurance company, for more information. 

Your parents do not have access to your medical records. UHS is required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect the confidentiality of your medical and billing information.

Your medical record contains your personal health history. This record is kept confidential and is not released to anyone without your written consent, except in compliance with state and federal laws (i.e., subpoena, court order, health department reporting requirements, etc.).

In order to ensure we are doing our best to protect your privacy, all medical and billing information will be sent directly to the address you provide. 

About Parents' Insurance Covering You

To learn how your parent’s plan can provide the medical care you may need beyond the services covered by your Health Fee, contact your insurance company's customer service department by calling the phone number on the back of your ID card.

Questions you should ask your insurance company: 

• Is University Health Service/UKHC in-network?
• Does your plan include coverage for non-emergent medical care in the Lexington area?
• Which hospitals and urgent care centers are in-network in the Lexington area?
• How much is your deductible in the Lexington area?
• What co-pays or coinsurance payments are you responsible for in the Lexington area?
• Which pharmacies are available to you in the Lexington area?
• Does your plan have a referral requirement?
• Does your plan require you to be seen only by a designated Primary Care Physician?

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) - The UK SHIP is an insurance plan that is available for students to purchase. SHIP is contracted with Academic Health Plans and Anthem BlueCross BlueShield. This health plan is intended for medical care beyond your Health Fee and includes coverage for services not included in the Health Fee.

This includes: 

• Immunizations
• Most diagnostic procedures (laboratory tests, X-rays, MRIs)
• Surgery
• Hospitalization
• Prescription medications

Understanding UK SHIP

1. This health plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).  The health care providers you choose will affect your out-of-pocket expenses. Remember: using UK providers will save you money.  See the policy online for details. MyAhpCare.com
2. Participating in this student health plan does not mean all of your health care is free. There are medical expenses you are responsible to pay, including an annual deductible, copay or coinsurance charges, and costs related to services limited or excluded by the plan.
3. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this plan. The best way to make sure this coverage (or any health plan) works for you is to be informed and proactive. If possible, check the covered benefits before you receive medical care. Read the policy online or contact the SHIP coordinator Chavae Mock 859-218-0461 or chavae.mock@uky.edu with your questions.

Students eligible for UK SHIP are divided into enrollment types:

1. Funded Graduate Students are eligible to enroll in UK SHIP. Each fall and spring semester you must be:

• Degree-seeking
•  Enrolled in the Graduate School (professional programs do not qualify)
• Fully-funded by the University with a full-time research, teaching, or graduate assistantship or qualifying fellowship.

Eligibility is determined by the UK SHIP Office.   Changes in your status may affect your eligibility.

2. International Students are required to have medical coverage and are automatically enrolled in the plan. The cost of the plan is charged to your tuition bill. To complete the enrollment process, simply pay your student bill.

3. Other UK students and dependents (spouse/children) of insured students are eligible to purchase UK SHIP. See eligibility guidelines and enroll at uky.myahpcare.com.

Enrolling in the SHIP

To enroll go to uky.myahpcare.com or contact the SHIP coordinator Chavae Mock at (859) 218-0461 or email chavae.mock@uky.edu 

On the SHIP website you can:

• Create an account
• Explore the plan
• Review the cost information
• Enroll in/purchase the plan
• Enroll in the dental plan

Remember, purchasing a health plan is never a guarantee you will avoid out-of-pocket costs for medical care. The best way to make this, or any coverage work for you is to be informed and proactive. Check the covered benefits before your procedure whenever possible. Know the specifics and communicate with your medical provider. 

For Help

Contact Academic HealthPlans (AHP) at 855-856-2385 or support@ahpcare.com.

If you have questions not addressed by the SHIP website or AHP’s customer service department, the UK SHIP Office is available to assist you. Call (859) 218-0461 or email studenthealthplan@uky.edu with questions.

• Campus housing vaccine requirements
• Immunization Requirements for UK Students with Clinical Responsibilities for UK students with clinical responsibilities.  
• Immunization and vaccination before enrolling at UK.
• International students: Specific information about international students' healthcare.
• Medical records: How and where to obtain them.
• Mumps information & precautions
• Prescriptions: Students who have used University Health Service may fill prescriptions at the UHS Pharmacy, conveniently located on the first floor of the University Health Service building.
• Travel information: Find information about checkups and what you will need to know before traveling abroad.

NOTE: If you are a new student, you are not eligible to be seen at UHS until the semester begins.

Part-time students may elect to pre-pay the Health Fee to entitle them to receive the same covered benefits as full-time students or they may use the University Health Service on a self-pay basis or bill their health insurance. Part-time UK students may pay the fee at the Student Billing Office in the Funkhouser Building or they can sign up for the Health Fee at their appointment.

Graduate students who are not registered in classes but are actively engaged in research leading to a degree are eligible to use the University Health Service and can pay the Health Fee. These students may be asked to obtain verification of their status from their department chairperson, dean or academic advisor each semester.

Students who have graduated and have a record on file are eligible to be seen in that clinic at UHS on a self-pay basis or bill their health insurance for one semester following graduation. (e.g. - students who graduate in May are eligible to be seen during the following summer months; students who graduate in August may be seen during the following fall semester; students who graduate in December may be seen during the following spring semester.) During this period, former students should arrange to have their medical records transferred to their new physician.

Continuing students (students who are not currently enrolled but were enrolled the entire previous semester and intend to enroll the following semester) are eligible to be seen on a self-pay basis or bill their health insurance. 

Spouses of all eligible students who are not students themselves may be seen at University Health Service for all services on a self-pay basis or bill their health insurance except behavioral health visits. They must present their spouse's student ID to receive treatment. Children and other family members are not eligible. For children, you may wish to make an appointment with UK General Pediatrics at 859-323-6211 or UK Family & Community Medicine  at 859-323-6371.

F-1 students and J-Scholars (J1 and J2) who have purchased the student health insurance plan are eligible to be seen on a self-pay basis or bill their health insurance. Full time ESL students will have the health fee for their 8 weeks session. Part time ESL students can purchase the health fee for their session.

BCTC Students

Full time and part time BCTC students are eligible to be seen at UHS with a valid BCTC I.D. and must be actively enrolled in classes. BCTC students that live on UK's campus will be assessed the Health Fee. 

Guidelines:

• Cooper/Winchester campus BCTC students that are enrolled in 6 hours of traditional in-classroom hours may purchase the Health Fee on the e-store website.
• BCTC students without the health fee can be seen on a self-pay basis or with their health insurance. 
• Students who attend online courses are ineligible to purchase the Health Fee and cannot be seen at UHS.
• BCTC students must present a current BCTC I.D. every visit, every time. 

Summer Session

University Health Service is available for health care during the summer. Paying the Health Fee is voluntary for most students in the summer. To use University Health Service, registered students have the option to: 

• Pay the summer Health Fee
• Self-pay basis
• Bill their health insurance