Parents
At UHS, we understand the importance of your Longhorn's well-being and success. That's why we are committed to providing the highest quality care in a supportive environment. When it comes to your student's health, you can expect what you would receive from your family doctor and more.
We want to ensure that you have all the information you need about our services. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 512-471-4955. Our team is available Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we'll be happy to assist you.
Thank you for entrusting your student's health to UHS. We look forward to supporting their well-being throughout their time at The University of Texas at Austin.
Medical Privacy and HIPAA (HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILTY AND ACCOUNTABILTY ACT)
UHS and CMHC cannot share medical information with family members of students who are legal adults, 18 years old. We recommend that you have a conversation with your student if you believe you should have access to their medical records. For mental health records, the mental health provider will have a conversation with the client before they sign a release. If your student does want you to have access to their medical records, contact UHS at 512-471-4955 and/or CMHC at 512-471-3515. Additionally, as legal adults, students are required to schedule their own appointments to use UHS and CMHC services.
Incoming Student Checklist
Preparing for your Longhorn's arrival on campus can help ease their transition and alleviate any concerns you may have. Make sure to complete these tasks beforehand.
Minor Consent
If your Longhorn is under 18 years old, it is important to review the Minor Consent for Treatment information. This will provide you with important details and guidelines regarding their healthcare and medical treatment.
Immunization and Medical Clearance Requirements:
To ensure a seamless class registration process for your student, it is essential to confirm that their immunization and medical clearance requirements have been met. These requirements play an important role in maintaining a healthy campus environment.
Consider ensuring they have received these recommended vaccinations.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Influenza (Flu)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- COVID-19
Billing and Insurance
UHS accepts most major U.S. insurance plans. To ensure that your Longhorn's insurance is accepted, please verify with UHS if their specific insurance plan is eligible. If your student is currently uninsured, we recommend enrolling in the optional student health insurance plan called AcademicBlue.
Ask your Longhorn whether they would like to grant you eProxy online payment privileges. With eProxy privileges, UHS can post your Longhorn's balance on their What I Owe page, without disclosing the reasons for their visit. Parents who have been granted eProxy privileges can conveniently make payments online.
If Insured:
- Ensure your student has access to their medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision insurance cards or relevant information.
- Take the time to explain to your Longhorn how to contact their insurance company both online and by phone.
- Help your Longhorn understand the basics of insurance, such as what their plan covers, the difference between in-network and out-of-network care, co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, pre-approval requirements, and the necessary steps for notifying the insurance company after hospitalization or emergency room care.
Health History Forms
Be available for questions from your Longhorn as they complete their health history forms within the MyUHS/CMHC portal, which are necessary for utilizing our services.
Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medications:
Support your Longhorn in developing a plan to manage their prescription medications effectively. Help them understand the distinction between a prescription refill and a renewal and guide them on how to obtain both when needed. It's important to plan ahead for refills or renewals to ensure they have an uninterrupted supply of medication. Provide them with contact information for their healthcare providers who prescribe the medications. If they are from out of town, assist them in locating a pharmacy in Austin. Our pharmacy resources page can be a helpful tool in this process.
Prepare their residence or room with a well-stocked first-aid kit. The 24/7 Nurse Advice Line, frequently consulted by students for self-care guidance, often suggests over-the-counter medications and first-aid supplies. They may also inquire about the student's temperature. As a parent, you may find yourself in a similar situation when your Longhorn is injured or unwell and reaches out to you for assistance. By having a fully equipped first-aid kit readily available, you'll be better equipped to provide the necessary care and support.
Help your student stay healthy by providing them with hand sanitizer. Clean hands are essential in preventing common illnesses that can lead to missed classes. Encourage your student to practice regular hand washing or sanitizing to reduce the risk of colds, flu, sore throats, and stomach upsets.
AlcoholEdu and SAPU
Learn about AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU), the mandatory online educational programming on alcohol, drugs, and healthy relationships for incoming students. Stay informed about the deadlines for completing these programs and ensure your students’ timely participation. Explore effective strategies to engage your son or daughter in meaningful and constructive conversations about maintaining their well-being throughout college and beyond.
Important Phone Numbers
Ask them to put these phone numbers in their phones.
- UHS – General Information and Appointments – 512-471-4955
- 24/7 Nurse Advice Line – 512-475-6877
- CMHC – General Information and Brief Assessments – 512-471-3515
- CMHC 24/7 Crisis Line – 512-471-2255
Transitioning Care for Students with Chronic Medical Conditions
To ensure a seamless transition of care for your Longhorn with chronic medical conditions, we recommend discussing with their current healthcare provider whether they can continue to manage their care or if it's necessary to transfer care to a specialist in Austin. If needed, the current provider or the student's insurance company can assist in providing a referral to a local specialist.
For students requiring ongoing monitoring and/or treatment for chronic medical conditions, we encourage scheduling an appointment with a provider at the UHS General Medicine clinic. This allows us to document your student's health history in their chart, which is vital information for our providers when delivering routine medical care. Our UHS providers are board certified in family medicine, internal medicine, and sports medicine. For specialty care, we will make appropriate referrals to providers in the community.
If your UT student has initiated an allergy desensitization program or requires other injectable medications, they can receive their shots at UHS. Texas state regulations mandate injection orders from a provider licensed to practice in Texas. If your Longhorn is coming from out of state, it's crucial for them to establish care with a local specialist as soon as possible to obtain prescription for their injections and prevent any treatment delays. Find more information on this topic.
Our goal at UHS is to ensure that your Longhorn receives comprehensive and coordinated care for their chronic medical conditions.
Transitioning Mental Health Care
For questions about transitioning mental health care, including psychiatric care, call the Counseling and Mental Health Center at 512-471-3515.
Partnerships
In addition, UHS values its partnership with Texas Parents. By becoming a member of Texas Parents, you and your family can enjoy a range of benefits, including newsletters that provide valuable information about UHS services and updates. We also actively collaborate with New Student Services and conduct presentations during student and family orientations.
To learn more about orientations and the resources available, please visit newstudentservices.utexas.edu.
We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to stay informed and engaged with UHS and the University of Texas at Austin community.