UMKC Student Health

UMKC Student Health

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A student’s university experience and academic success is associated with that student’s overall health and wellness. UMKC Student Health and Wellness is here to provide high-quality care at a minimal cost to our students.

Parents

Our staff is committed to providing care in a manner that not only allows students to focus on their academic goals, but also encourages healthier behaviors and choices. We hope that all of our students will take advantage of the services we provide.

Parents play a vital role in student transition and success, particularly in the student’s first semester away from home. Below is important parent information that will help you learn more about our services, requirements, and policies so that we can work together to optimize health and wellness for your student and our entire student population.

Federal HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) mandates the confidentiality of medical information and records for all students over 18 years of age. We are legally prohibited from discussing your student’s health with you, unless we have the student’s permission to do so.

If your student provides written authorization to discuss a health issue with you, we can only discuss the specific issue to which the release applies. Written authorization can be provided by having the student complete the Consent/Authorization for Release of Information and return the form to UMKC Student Health and Wellness.

You may return the form by fax to (816) 235-6565. You may also mail it to us at the address below, or if you are going to be on campus, stop by our front desk.

Mailing address:

UMKC Student Health and Wellness

5110 Oak Street, Brookside 41 Building, Suite 237

Kansas City, MO 64112

The Consent to Treatment for Minors Form is required and must be on file for any student under 18 years of age. We are not able to provide care to minors without proper consent from a parent or legal guardian. Please complete, sign, and return the form to UMKC Student Health and Wellness.

You may return the form by fax to (816) 235-6565. You may also mail it to us at the address below, or if you are going to be on campus, stop by our front desk.

Mailing address:

UMKC Student Health and Wellness

5110 Oak Street, Brookside 41 Building, Suite 237

Kansas City, MO 64112

All our services require an appointment. Appointments can be made online, by phone at (816) 235-6133, or in person at our office. Appointment times fill quickly, so encourage your student to plan ahead when possible.

  • All students are asked to arrive 15-30 minutes early to allow for check-in, paperwork, and nurse assessment prior to seeing the provider.
  • Any student arriving 10 minutes late for a scheduled appointment time will be asked to reschedule.
  • Any student who misses an appointment, without canceling 1 hour prior to their appointment, will be considered a “no-show/late cancellation” and a $5.00 fee will be automatically charged to that student’s UMKC student account.

Many parents ask about what options are available for students to receive medical care when UMKC Student Health and Wellness is not open. Our After Hours Resources document  provides several options for students, depending on the severity of their health concerns.

Parents often have lots of questions regarding billing, payment, and what the UMKC Student Health Fee covers and does not cover.

  • Visit our Appointment Information page for an overview of the general Student Health Fee that all students pay with their tuition.
  • Visit our Services and Fees page for an overview of the services we offer and any associated costs.

UMKC Student Health and Wellness collects payments at the time of services. Currently, we accept payment of cash, check, and Student Account for any fees related to services.

For insurance questions related to any associated fees, please see the Health Insurance section below.

Make sure your student submits all necessary immunization records to the proper department. UMKC Student Health and Wellness does not monitor immunization compliance for UMKC’s various schools or programs. All immunizations required for your student’s campus housing, specific schools, or specific programs are maintained by that facility and should be turned in to that specific office.

Students should keep a list of current medications as well as any known allergies.

While many local pharmacies offer a variety of over the counter items for purchase, we strongly recommend that students keep some basic health care supplies on hand. We encourage you to review the Taking Care of Basic Health Needs document, for a thorough list of items to include in a “First Aid Kit”.

Encourage your student to get an annual flu shot. Influenza spreads quickly on college campuses and vaccination is the best way students can protect themselves. Many students will not readily get a flu shot without some nudging from their parents. Student Health offers a number of on-campus flu vaccination clinics in the fall months, both at the health center and other various locations on campus. We also can give the flu vaccination by appointment. Encourage your student to look for a schedule of our flu vaccination clinics on our website, or call our office to find out when we will be offering flu vaccinations.

The meningitis vaccine, while not required for enrollment at UMKC, is strongly advised.  It is required for all students living in the residence halls. Meningitis can be life altering, and although it is rare, fatal cases can spread quickly and the results can be devastating. Student Health offers meningitis vaccines year round by appointment, or you may prefer to have your student vaccinated at your primary physician’s office.

Encourage your student to engage in good hygiene practices to help control germs and stay healthy. College environments can provide for easy transmission of many viral, bacterial, and other communicable diseases such as flu, colds, staph infections – MRSA, Scabies Infestations, and many others. Most often, the best prevention for these types of problems is good hand washing, avoidance of shared utensils/cups/towels/linens, and cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.

Worried about your student? Does he or she have a history of mental health problems? Concerned about symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse, or homesickness? Please encourage your student to make an appointment with UMKC Student Health and Wellness. Also, visit the UMKC Counseling Services for more information on the services they can provide.

UMKC Student Health and Wellness does not initiate treatment for ADD/ADHD, nor prescribes refills for students who are currently taking ADD/ADHD medications. UMKC Student Health and Wellness does not prescribe any controlled substances. Stimulant medications are Class II narcotics and as such, they are tightly regulated by state and federal laws.

Student Health does not test for ADD/ADHD. Testing can be completed by contacting the UMKC Counseling Services.

UMKC Student Health and Wellness does not offer these services. However, there are many local providers in the Kansas City metro area that can. Students can contact our office and speak to our front desk personnel for a list of these offices.  Your student may also choose to independently research for local providers.

All UMKC students are eligible to use Student Health and Wellness regardless of their insurance status. When necessary, Student Health can refer students to a specialist in their insurance network.

Students with Insurance

  • Visits with associated fees require payment at the time of service.
  • Cash, check, or student account are acceptable forms of payment.
  • Upon request, our front desk personnel can provide a receipt of payment, which can be submitted to your insurance carrier by you or your student.

Students without Insurance

  • Visits with associated fees require payment at the time of service.
  • Cash, check, or student account are acceptable forms of payment.

Important Insurance Information Your Student Needs to Know

  • Make sure your student has a basic understanding of their coverage.
  • Make sure your student carries a copy of their insurance card at all times.

If you are not able to provide insurance for your student, UMKC does offer a student health insurance plan. Please visit Aetna Student Health Insurance website for information about the Student Health Insurance Plan, and how to enroll for coverage.