Navigating Student Health Services at Purdue University
Purdue University and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) are committed to supporting the health and well-being of their students, faculty, and staff. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the health services available at Purdue, including medical care, mental health support, pharmacy services, and wellness programs.
Accessing Healthcare at Purdue University
Purdue University Student Health (PUSH)
The Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH) in West Lafayette offers medical care through a high-quality outpatient facility. PUSH is staffed by licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, and professional healthcare providers.
Office visits for illness and injury care are free to all full-time students. Other services, such as minor procedures and treatments, x-rays, physical therapy, immunizations, and preventative visits (physical exams and annual exams, for example) are available on a fee-for-service basis. Laboratory services at PUSH are provided by Mid America Clinical Laboratory (MACL). MACL accepts most health insurance plans, including Anthem and United Healthcare.
Students must submit immunization dates through the patient portal by the first day of classes. Please go to purdue.edu/push/Immunization and follow the instructions for completing and submitting the online form.
The University strongly recommends that each student be covered by health insurance. PUSH is in-network with both Anthem and United Healthcare and will submit bills for services to the student’s insurance plan. You are encouraged to check with your insurance plan about coverage before coming to campus.
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Purchasing health insurance is mandatory for international students as it is a condition of enrollment at Purdue University.
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Center for Healthy Living (CHL)
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) offers comprehensive health services to students, faculty, and staff through the Center for Healthy Living (CHL). The CHL is located directly across from the Fitness and Recreation Center (FRC) at 2250 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323.
The CHL provides treatment for acute needs, writes prescriptions, offers medical advice, schedules appointments, makes referrals, and provides timely follow-ups. To schedule an appointment at the Hammond location, call the CHL at (765) 494-0111.
The CHL Patient Portal allows you to request appointments. When you click on "Book An Appointment," West Lafayette, IN may be auto-filled as the location. You will need to change it to Hammond, IN. After selecting who you want your appointment with, a pop-up will appear and ask you some questions. Although the provider’s schedule is not currently published, you can still request an appointment by clicking Send Request. CHL will follow up and call you to schedule your appointment.
Primary Care Services at PNW
The Center for Healthy Living offers a wide range of primary care services to treat common illnesses, manage chronic conditions, provide preventive care, and promote overall health. These services include:
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- Abdominal pain, stomachache
- Allergies
- Bronchitis
- Colds, coughs, flu
- Eye, ear, nose and throat infections
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Rashes, skin conditions (minor)
- Sinus infections, sinusitis
- Allergy Shots
- Annual physical exams, including sports physicals and well-woman and well-man exams
- Personal medical consultation for high-risk conditions
- Certain vaccinations and immunizations, including personal travel immunizations
- Blood pressure checks
- Cancer screening
- Cholesterol screenings
- Diabetes screenings
- Management of chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes
- Care coordination
The Center for Healthy Living offers comprehensive lab services (preventive screenings and diagnostic testing) via its Tier 1 lab. Tier 1 labs provide the best lab benefits on your Purdue medical plan. Simply bring your doctor’s lab order to the clinic.
Costs and Eligibility at PNW
Active faculty and staff, pre-65 retirees, terminated employees on long-term disability and their covered spouses/dependents (age 2 years and older) receive:
- Preventive care at no charge.
- Non-preventive care for a flat fee of $25 (applies to deductible).
- Sports physicals for a $25 flat fee (does not apply to deductible).
Regardless of medical plan participation, all benefits-eligible employees are eligible for wellness services at no charge.
Faculty, staff and covered spouses/dependents (age 2 years and older) for J-1 Visa Plan Participants receive:
- Preventive care at no charge.
- Non-preventive care for a $10 copay.
- Sports physicals for a $25 flat fee (does not apply to deductible).
Services will be processed through the employee’s health insurance plan. Rates will be based on the patient’s medical coverage. Regardless of medical plan participation, all benefits-eligible employees are eligible for wellness services at no charge.
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Services will be processed through patients’ health insurance plans. Rates will be based on the patient’s medical coverage.
No Call / No Show Policy at PNW
The Center for Healthy Living makes every effort to provide prompt medical care to all of our patients. If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, kindly notify us 24-hours in advance.
As a courtesy to our patients and providers, failure to call or show for three appointments will result in the patient being discharged from the Center for Healthy Living. After three no call /no show instances, the patient will be asked to seek medical care elsewhere.
In addition, patients who arrive late to scheduled appointments may be asked to reschedule for another day and time if the delay will impact other patients’ scheduled appointments.
Wellness Services at PNW
Regardless of medical plan participation, all benefits-eligible employees are eligible for the following services at no charge. Spouses and dependents age 2 years and older who are covered on a Purdue medical plan are also eligible for these services at no charge.
- Health coaching
- Registered dietitian services
- Medication therapy management
- InBody Scan
- Tobacco cessation
- Lifestyle risk factor counseling
- Educational workshops
Additional Health Services at PNW
Blood Pressure Screening
Take control of your blood pressure and get on the path to good health. The first step is to know your numbers. We offer free blood pressure screening, no appointment necessary. Our staff is happy to assist you, and the process is quick and easy.
Allergies/Injections
Don’t let your allergies get in the way of your life. We can help you by offering regularly scheduled appointments with a medical assistant for routine allergy shots.
Immunizations
Many vaccine-preventable diseases are highly contagious. Receiving immunizations can help protect you and your loved ones from contracting these diseases, and the risk of the side effects from the immunization are far less than the risk of the severe symptoms of the diseases.
Available Immunizations:
| Vaccine | Common Name | Number of Doses |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Hep A | Series of two |
| Hepatitis B | Hep B | Series of three |
| Human Papillomavirus | HPV | Series of three |
| Influenza | Flu | Once a year |
| Measles-Mumps-Rubella | MMR | Series of two* |
| Tetanus-Diphtheria-Adult Pertussis | Tdap | Once every 10 years* |
| Varicella | Chicken Pox | Series of two* |
*May require a booster
Prior to receiving the immunization, a screening will occur to ensure that you are eligible to receive it. There are various items that could cause the immunization to be deferred:
- Current illness with a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Known allergic reactions to the immunization or components, including latex
- Known reactions to the immunization requested
- Current diagnosis of cancer, leukemia, HIV disease, or other immunosuppressive disorders
- Current use of cortisone, prednisone, other steroids, cancer chemotherapy drugs, or radiation therapy
Flu Vaccinations
The best way to protect yourself from the flu is with an annual vaccination-everyone six months of age or older can benefit. Some groups are more susceptible to complications from the flu:
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- People with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older
- All healthcare workers and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu, or who care for children under six months of age who cannot be vaccinated
A flu shot can reduce your chance of catching the flu 40-60 percent and reduce the severity of symptoms if you do catch the flu.
Sexual Health Services
We offer a comprehensive selection of sexual-health services to help you stay healthy. Our nationally certified nurse practitioner offers the following services by appointment:
- Breast exams
- Annual sexual-health exams
- Pregnancy testing and referrals
- Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Contraceptive counseling, prescription, and management
According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed each year are among young people age 15-24. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed, practice safe sex, and get screened regularly for STDs.
Depending on your situation, you should be screened annually or more. Many people seek out routine STD screening, even when they are not having symptoms, just to be sure that they don’t have an STD.
Lab Work
Lab work lets you know what’s going on in your body, and it tells our clinic staff if it is performing and functioning the way it is supposed to. Whatever the reason for your lab work-blood sugar, hormones, etc.-we can assist you.
It is important to note that before diagnosis, we will draw your blood at the clinic. We will then send it to a local laboratory for testing. Please talk with one of our medical professionals on how to receive your results from your lab work.
The laboratory will perform tests that are ordered by your care provider. A fax number for your ordering provider, a diagnosis code, and signature are all required with every test order. To have laboratory tests done, please bring the order with you, or fax the order to us at 260-572-8040.
Some laboratory tests, such as glucose and cholesterol, require you to complete an overnight fast for 10-12 hours.
Mental Health Support
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a variety of mental health services and strives to provide assistance to help actively enrolled students improve their mental health and succeed, in life and academically. Students can schedule a brief screen appointment for the same day or next day by calling (765) 494-6995. Clinical recommendations will be made at the end of that assessment and can include a variety of next steps. Mental health crises can be addressed via on-call services during CAPS’ business hours, or by calling (765) 494-6995 after hours and pressing 1. The student will be connected with a clinician who will assess their situation and provide help.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides voluntary, confidential, and professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems that affect their personal lives or performance at work.
Purdue University Pharmacy
Purdue University Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy located right on campus in Room 118 of the Robert Heine Pharmacy Building (RHPH), next to the student health center (PUSH). They offer prescription services, over the counter products, and immunizations including flu, Men B, just to name a few.
Most major prescription drug plans are accepted. The pharmacy offers convenient hours for students that are based around the academic calendar.
Recreation & Wellness
There are many programs offered to help your Boilermaker stay healthy through Purdue’s Recreation & Wellness housed in the France A. Cordova Recreation Sports Center (also known on campus as the CoRec). Membership for full-time students is included in tuition fees, with short-term passes available for visiting guests.
Recreation programs include:
- Certifications: CPR/AED and Standard First Aid, Lifeguard Training and more!
- Challenge Education for groups/teams
- Climbing classes and training
- Fitness Programs: personal trainers, GroupX classes, fitness clinics and more!
- Over 30 club sports and more than 40 intramural sports
Wellness Programs provides a variety of options and services to help your student achieve their health and wellness goals.
Wellness programs include:
- Wellness Education
- Nutrition Counseling
- Demonstration Kitchen
- Alcohol Education
- Sexual Health
- Stress Management and Well-being
- Massage Therapy and Light Therapy
- Financial Literacy Education
Additional PNW Health Resources
- Your Path Wellness Program: Explore information about the Your Path Portal, activities and resources (formerly known as the Healthy Boiler portal).
- Student Health Insurance: PNW offers health insurance options to students through UnitedHealthcare Medical and Prescription Drug Plan. See details about enrollment options and requirements.
Important Information for Patients at PNW
Purdue plan participants should bring their Anthem Member ID Card. All other eligible patients should bring their PNW ID Badge (if applicable) and their health insurance member ID card.
Patients should also bring applicable forms.
The center accepts all major credit cards and debit cards (including HSA, FSA, HRA and LPFSA debit cards). The center does not accept checks or cash.
Physical Examinations at PNW
- Physical Examination
- Biometric screening (weight, height, blood pressure, LDL, cholesterol level and A1c)
- Anxiety & Depression screening
- Skin cancer check
- Flu shot
- Prostate exam
- Colorectal screening
- Pap smear
- HPV, PCV, Shingles vaccine
If you completed your physical and biometrics at the clinic and have a registered Your Path Portal account, the Center for Healthy Living will upload your form into the Your Path Portal as a concierge service, if you wish. OR you can upload the form yourself into the Your Path Portal.
If you completed your biometric screening at the clinic AND your physical form has already been uploaded into the Your Path Portal and approved, the clinic will ensure your biometric values are entered into the portal on your behalf. No manual submission on your part is necessary.
For all other Your Path incentives that you completed, log into the Your Path Portal, locate the screening that you completed, click submit and check the box to indicate, “Yes,” you completed that item.
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