Student Health

If you are a full-time UK student, you have access to unlimited, free medical 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 his or her own health insurance.

Why Choose UHS?

• Least expensive option for medical care
• Same-day or next-day appointments
• UHS offers all of the recommended vaccinations for students at a discounted price
• 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, high and 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 vaccine. Watch for flu shot information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other media outlets starting in October or call UHS. 

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.

The Health Fee covers unlimited office visits for:

• Allergy injections (With orders from an allergy doctor)
• Behavioral health visits
• GYN/GU (gynecology/genitourinary care)
• Health education and wellness services, including:
  • Health and wellness coaching
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Tobacco treatment counseling
  • Sexual health education sessions
• Phone Information Nurse- is available for consultation about illness, injuries, lab results or other health concerns.
• Primary care visits 
• Observation room care
• On-call physician for after-hours advice
• Limited medications
• Some STI lab testing
• Travel and employment physical exams.
• CLIA waived in-office tests (except rapid flu and rapid HIV)

Services NOT covered by the Health Fee are billed as fee-for-service visits; these services include but are not limited to:

• Dentistry – While the health free does not include dental care, the UK College of Dentistry has a no-cost dental care service for undergraduate students. Additional dental care options are available on campus in the Kentucky Clinic and Dental Science Building. 
• Diagnostic testing (such as MRI or CT Scans)
• Emergency room visits
• Hospitalization
• Immunizations (offered at a discount rate)
• In-clinic procedures (such as wart removal or sutures)
• Laboratory services (blood work)
• 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 your appointment:

• Your student ID (to every appointment, every time).
• Your insurance cards (to every appointment every time).
• Payment in the form of a credit/debit card or personal check. (The health fee only covers your visit; therefore if you get a prescription or need an appliance, such as crutches, you will be expected to pay for that).
• 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. 

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 are on your parents’ insurance, there is the possibility that your parents will see any services that are provided and are covered through your insurance. 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 insure 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.

You should know:

• 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?

UK SHP is customized to work well with the services provided at UHS. This health plan is intended for medical care beyond your health fee and includes coverage for services not included in the health fee, such as lab test, x-rays, MRIs, surgery, emergency care, hospitalization, and prescription benefits.

Understanding UK SHP

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.
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 and contact the SHP Office with your questions.

Students eligible for UK SHP are divided into enrollment types:

1. Funded Graduate Students are automatically enrolled in UK SHP. Each fall and spring semester you must be: A) Degree-seeking, B) Enrolled in the Graduate School (professional programs do not qualify), and C) Fully-funded by the University with a full-time research, teaching, or graduate assistantship or qualifying fellowship. Eligibility is determined by the UK SHP 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 SHP. See eligibility guidelines and enroll at uky.myahpcare.com.

Enrolling in the SHP

The University of Kentucky is contracted with Academic HealthPlans, Inc. in conjunction with Anthem to provide the school-sponsored student health plan. Additional details are available on the UK Student Health Plan (SHP) website.

On the SHP website you can:

• View the complete Student Health Plan for coverage details.
• Review the cost information.
• Enroll in/purchase the 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. Deadlines apply.

For Help

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

If you have questions not addressed by the SHP website or AHP’s customer service department, the UK SHP Office is available to assist you. Call 859-218-3208 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 fee-for-service basis. Part-time UK students may pay the fee at the Student Billing Office in the Funkhouser Building.

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 fee-for-service basis 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 fee-for-service basis. 

Spouses of all eligible students who are not students themselves may be seen at University Health Service for all services on a fee-for-service basis 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 insurance plan are eligible to be seen on a fee-for-service basis. 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 ESL students will have health Fee for their 8 weeks session. Part time ESL students can purchase the health fee for their session.

Guidelines:

• Any BCTC student who is enrolled in at least six hours of traditional in-classroom hours may purchase the Health Fee online through E-Store for that semester.
• BCTC students without the health fee can be seen on a fee-for-service basis.
• 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 ID at time of visit.

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 must pay the summer Health Fee or pay for services on a fee-for-service basis.