About Student Health
Mission
Rice Student Health provides preventive and outpatient clinical care for the students of Rice University. Student Health is located on-campus and is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of college students, with an emphasis on prevention.
Staff and Overview
Student Health offers outpatient clinical care services for Rice University students. It is staffed by:
- Two Internal Medicine physicians
- One Family Practice physician
- Two nurses
- Medical assistant
- Two front office staff
Things of Note
- The student health fee, which is required of all full-time Rice Students, provides for the professional services at the Student Health clinic.
- Student Health does not bill insurance companies.
- Additionally, students may not designate one of the Student Health physicians as their "primary care provider" for health insurance purposes.
Although professional services do not generate additional cost to students, laboratory testing and radiology services do. If laboratory testing, radiographic testing, or referral to a sub-specialist is needed it is at this point that health insurance becomes involved.
On- and Off-Campus Testing
Student Health can provide some types of tests at no additional cost (e.g., rapid strep tests, mono-spot tests, urine pregnancy tests, and urine chemistry tests, glucometer tests, and electrocardiography). Tests outside of this list (e.g., blood chemistry testing, x-ray services) are not located on-site and will be billed to the student or their insurance by the reference laboratory or radiology clinic used. Laboratory specimens (e.g., blood, urine) are collected on-site so the student does not need to go to another location. However, in the event radiographic testing (e.g., chest x-ray) is needed the student will be referred to a nearby radiology clinic. Students are expected to provide transportation or to have a friend drive them.
Referrals
If a student is in need of sub-specialty services, such as orthopedic services, they will be referred to a nearby physician who can provide this type of service. Again, it is at this point that health insurance becomes involved and students are expected to provide, or find, transportation. It is also the student's responsibility to verify whether the physician they are being referred to participates in the student's health insurance program. Because of the specific details of a given health insurance plan and the complex and shifting nature of contracts between community physicians and health insurance companies, it is not possible for Student Health to know what the cost to the student might be, or if a particular provider is a member of the student's health insurance plan. Note: Starting in August 2005, students with the health insurance plan sponsored through Rice University will be able to access a website listing providers who participate in the Rice Student Health Insurance plan.
Significant Continuing Care
Student Health is not able to provide primary care for students with chronic medical needs. Students who need significant continuing care for a medical, or psychiatric, condition will be referred to a physician in the Houston community.
