Navigating Student Health Services at The George Washington University

The George Washington University (GW) is committed to supporting the health and well-being of its students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the health services available to GW students, including mandatory health insurance requirements, services offered at the Student Health Center (SHC), immunization policies, and other essential information.

Mandatory Health Insurance

Eligibility Requirements

All undergraduate, graduate, law, Health Sciences, and doctoral students enrolled in classes on the Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon, VSTC, and Corcoran campuses, all medical students, and all international students on a J1 or F1 Visa are required to have health insurance while studying at GW. To maintain eligibility for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), students must actively attend classes until their program’s add/drop deadline.

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

GW requires that all mandatory students have health insurance coverage that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Plan must provide comprehensive benefits, including non-emergency benefits in the George Washington campus area (Washington metropolitan area of Washington D.C. and parts of MD, VA, and WV).

Enrollment and Waiver Process

Mandatory students are automatically charged and enrolled in the SHIP if they do not submit a waiver form. NO ACTION IS REQUIRED TO ENROLL. Students who have comparable health insurance coverage may waive enrollment in the SHIP by submitting a waiver form by the specified deadline. Failure to complete the waiver will result in a student being enrolled and responsible for the Health Insurance Fee. Mandatory students are enrolled and charged by semester and MUST maintain mandatory spring eligibility for the plan to be automatically enrolled and charged for Spring 2026 coverage. The summer enrollment is available for new summer students only.

Voluntary Enrollment

Voluntary students are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis by completing the voluntary enrollment form located on the left side of this page by the deadline. Voluntary student premiums can be paid at the time of enrollment; however, the premium cannot be charged to your student account. Coverage must be purchased by semester, and students MUST maintain spring eligibility for the plan to purchase Spring 2026 coverage.

Read also: Comprehensive Health Overview

Dependent Coverage

Eligible students may insure their dependents, including their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 26, for an additional cost by completing the enrollment form located on the left side of this page by the deadline. Dependent premiums can be paid at the time of enrollment; however, dependent premiums cannot be charged to your student account.

Student Health Center (SHC) Services

The Student Health Center is the University's on-campus health facility, located at 2121 H Street, NW, Ground Floor, Washington, D.C, 20052. For students enrolled in the SHIP, the following services provided at the GW Student Health Center (SHC) are covered at 100% with no Copay or Deductible.

Covered Services

Office Visits are covered at 100%.
Group Counseling is covered at 100%.
Referrals are available to providers in the community.
Annual Deductible waived for services rendered at GW Mental Health Services.

Medical Services Team

The SHC Medical Team, consisting of physicians, advanced practice providers (NPs and PAs) and registered nurses, is dedicated to providing accessible, high quality medical care to you during your time at GW. The Medical Services team:

Provides high quality medical care to all GW students.
Offers easy access to care to enable students to return to classes as quickly as possible.
Educates and encourages students to become active participants in their care.
Monitors and responds to public health issues on campus.
Supports the university community in making healthy lifestyle choices through education, outreach, and special programming.
Preventive care services (physical exams, immunizations, screenings).
Treatment of acute, non-emergent medical issues.
Management of chronic medical conditions.
Referrals to specialists and for radiologic studies.
Quest Laboratory at SHC.
Additional support provided by TimelyCare.

Please call (202) 994-5300 (option 1) to schedule physical exams, telehealth appointments, immunizations, and travel visits. Many primary care visits can also be scheduled online at myhealth.gwu.edu.

Primary Care Services

The SHC offers a wide range of primary care services, including:

Abdominal complaints
Aches/Pains
Acne
Acute illness
ADD/ADHD medication management (refills only, and only with approval from our Psychiatry team)
Asthma
Chronic illness
Cuts/Lacerations- simple repairs with sutures or Dermabond (glue) available, if applicable
Headaches
Infections
Laboratory testing
Medical management of some eating disorders
Physical exams
Prescription refills
Rashes
Referrals for radiology services
Referrals for specialty care
Respiratory infections
Smoking cessation programs
Suture removal
Urinary tract infections

Gynecologic Health Services

SHC clinicians provide gynecologic health services for most gynecological concerns, including:

Menstrual issues
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) evaluation, testing, and treatment
Contraception counseling and prescriptions
- oral contraceptive pills
- vaginal rings
- patches
- depo-provera injections (must be seen by an SHC clinician for a prescription prior to injection appointment with the nurse)
- we do not place IUDs or Nexplanon, but referral is available
Emergency contraception*
Pregnancy testing and referrals for management (pregnancy care and abortion)
Annual/”Well Women” exams including Pap testing
Referrals to gynecology for IUDs/Nexplanon, and complex gynecological problems.

*SHIP provides certain medications, like contraception and emergency contraception, at no cost. More information can be found here. Please make an appointment to obtain a prescription.

LGBTQIA+/Sexual Health Services

The SHC is committed to providing inclusive and affirming care for LGBTQIA+ students, including:

Preventive health care- Physicals and Immunizations
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)- medical students should follow their internal protocols
Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening
Sexually Transmitted Infection testing for symptomatic patients: students should schedule an in-person appointment
Gender Affirming Care
- Initiation of transgender care services
- Maintenance of hormonal treatment for transgender care
- Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening
- Sexually Transmitted Infection testing for symptomatic patients: students should schedule an in person appointment.

Note: Web booking is available for telehealth appointments. In-person appointments are available. If needed, please contact Fishman Allergy/ENT:2021 K Street, NW, Suite 400 / 420Washington, DC, 20006(202) 833-3500

Travel Vaccines

We do NOT administer the Yellow Fever vaccine for travel. Please contact Traveler's Medical Service of Washington- Dr. Wolfe (202) 466-8109 or GW MFA Traveler’s Clinic (202) 741-3333

COVID-19 and Influenza Information

The SHC continues to monitor Respiratory Virus Activity levels in Washington, D.C. and nationally. Since the end of the public health emergency, students are no longer required to report COVID to the SHC or to the university. In addition, SHC will no longer track your isolation and release you from isolation. If you are a GW student who has tested positive for COVID, please use the following guidelines.

COVID Testing:

SHC offers a combined COVID/Flu test at scheduled appointments. COVID tests are also available at local pharmacies.

Influenza and Seasonal Vaccines

Seasonal Flu and COVID vaccines are available at the MFA Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy for students with Aetna SHIP or with other private insurance. As always, students should check with their insurance plan for coverage. The 2024 Flu vaccine is available at the SHC as well. Students with the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) receive Flu vaccine at no cost. The fee is $25 for those without SHIP. Students can book an appointment online for a time that is convenient for them.

Vaccine	GW SHCAetna SHIP cost (at the SHC)	Private Insurance cost (at the SHC)	CVS Pharmacy	GW MFA Pharmacy
Flu	YesFree	$25	Yes	Yes
COVID	NoN/A	N/A	Yes	Yes

Additional vaccine resources:

COVID and Flu vaccines are available at the USC in October-sign up here!

Flu vaccines are available at the SHC by appointment or by dropping by one of our Flu vaccine clinics.

Preparing for Your SHC Appointment

There are several things that you can do to prepare for your medical appointment with the Student Health Center.

Scheduling

Please do not schedule an appointment within 2 hours of your next class or obligation.

What to Bring

Please bring your GWorld card and insurance card to each visit to the Student Health Center.
Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time in order to check-in and complete forms. Please make sure all of your demographic information is up to date including local address and mobile number when checking in for each visit.
If you are taking medication, bring a list including dosing instructions or the medication bottles to your appointment.
If you are scheduled for an STI visit, please do not urinate for 1 hour prior to your appointment.
If you think you have a UTI please hydrate prior to visit to be able to produce a urine sample.

Late Arrivals

If you arrive more than 5 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, you will only be seen at the discretion of your clinical provider. Late patients will most often have to reschedule their appointments. Rescheduled appointments will not routinely be made for the same day as the original appointment. Rescheduled appointments for urgent matters may be discussed with the nurse or front desk staff for an exception.

Learn More: No Show & Late Cancellation Policy

It is difficult to anticipate the amount of time each patient will need with their provider.

Immunization Policy

The District of Columbia Immunization Law requires that all students who are under the age of 26 upon entrance to the University must provide proof of certain immunization prior to registration.

Deadlines

Fall: Newly-admitted undergraduate, graduate, non-degree, or transfer students for the Fall Semester under the age of 26 by July 1st are required to provide proof of immunization or they will incur a registration hold on their student account. Immunization forms are due by June 15th for Fall Semester entrants.
Spring: Newly-admitted undergraduate, graduate, non-degree, or transfer students for the Spring Semester under the age of 26 by January 1st are required to provide proof of immunization or they will incur a registration hold on their student account. Immunization forms are due by December 15th for Spring Semester entrants.

Submission Process

New StudentsNew students under the age of 26 will be able to register for their first semester without a health form on file. However, a hold will be placed on your account to prevent future registration if all required vaccination records are not submitted to the Student Health Center. All immunization forms are submitted online through the student portal.

These records will take our staff some time to review and we appreciate your patience as we review your records carefully. Please provide your GWID in your message.

PLEASE NOTE: Your immunization records will be reviewed in the order received. Thank you for your patience while we carefully review your records. If the team has any questions or concerns about your submission, they will reach out to you directly through the student portal. Please check your portal regularly for updates regarding your immunization requirements.

Specific Instructions

Students entering in the fall semester who are younger than 26 years old (by July 1st) must submit the Mandatory Health Form (PDF) via their student portal by the June 15th deadline. Prior to submission, the Mandatory Health Form will need to be completed, signed and stamped by the student’s Primary Care Provider. Please retain a copy of the completed form for your records. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their healthcare provider completes and submits the form to the Student Health Center by the June 15th deadline.
Students entering in the spring semester who are younger than 26 years old (by January 1st) must submit the Mandatory Health Form (PDF) via their student portal by the December 15th deadline. Prior to submission, the Mandatory Health Form will need to be completed, signed and stamped by the student’s Primary Care Provider. Please retain a copy of the completed form for your records.
Ensure that you are trying to log on in Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
Click on the “Medical Clearances” tab on the left side of the screen.
Under “Medical Clearances” click on the green “Update” button to upload a photo or scan of your Mandatory Health Form (PDF). Please ensure that all documents are legible.

Please note: If you are waiving your Meningococcal vaccine, please visit the bottom of the Medical Clearances page and submit your waiver under the Clearance Exemptions section. Click on each of the green “Update” buttons next to each type of immunization and enter in the dates of immunization. You must enter in all of your dates for the required immunizations in order for us to verify your record.

Updating Records

In order to add new documentation to update your immunization record please follow these instructions:

Click on the "Medical Clearances" tab.
Click on the green update button next to "Immunization Record". You will see this button under “Items required for clearance” on the Medical Clearances tab of your patient portal:
Once you press the update button, you will see a page that lists 4 action items under the heading “Further Action Necessary”. You are not required to submit all items listed. Please only obtain one TB test, preferably QuantiFERON Gold or T-spot. If your TB test is positive, then you are required to submit results from a recent chest x-ray.

Costs & Fees

Medical Services offers certain vaccines, including those recommended for travelers by the CDC. Please consult our fees for the most updated cost information.

Medical or Religious Exemptions

Students seeking exemption from any of the immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons must submit:

Medical Exemption: Medical exemptions must be accompanied by a letter from a medical provider describing the medical condition and supporting the exemption. Medical exemptions must include copies of MMR and varicella antibody titers. If the student is under the age of 18, polio titers are also required.
Religious Exemption: Religious exemption is considered if the responsible person objects in good faith and in writing that the immunizations violate their religious beliefs. Religious exemptions must include copies of MMR and varicella antibody titers. If the student is under the age of 18, polio titers are also required.

Where to submit Exemption documents:

For Immunization Exemption for Students Under 26:

Upload your documents to the student portal under 'Downloadable Forms'
Click on the green 'Upload' button next to Immunization Record
Upload all supporting documents and exemption letter
Upload applicable titers

Registration Holds

Your student account will incur a registration hold if complete immunization records are not received by our office by the deadline required. After we receive your complete immunization records, the hold will be lifted. To see if your hold has been lifted:

Login to the GWeb Info System.
Select: Student Records & Registration -> Student Records Information Menu -> View Administrative Holds.
If you see "Incomplete Immunization Status," it means that your record was either not received or is incomplete.

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