Navigating the American University Student Health Portal: A Comprehensive Guide to Student Healthcare

The American University Student Health Center (SHC) is dedicated to supporting students' well-being by providing comprehensive and accessible healthcare services. Understanding how to navigate the Student Health Portal and utilize the available resources is crucial for students to manage their health effectively during their college experience. This article aims to provide a detailed guide to the services offered, appointment procedures, and important information for both students and parents.

Introduction: Empowering Students in Their Healthcare Journey

An important part of a student’s college experience involves learning how to manage their health and to be an effective advocate for their health concerns. For some students, this could refer to learning how to make (and keep) a medical appointment, understanding how to get a prescription filled at a pharmacy, or how to give a provider the important details of their health/medication history. The Student Health Center staff is dedicated to helping students navigate this developmental process.

Understanding the Role of the Student Health Center

The SHC is specifically focused on the health needs of adolescents and young adults. The clinical team is led by two physicians who are board certified both in adolescent medicine and pediatrics.

Services Offered at the Student Health Center

The Student Health Center offers a wide array of services to address the diverse healthcare needs of students:

General Medical Care

Acute Care: If you are sick and would like to be seen urgently, it still may be possible to see a health care clinician at the Student Health Center. We try to reserve at least 20 appointment slots for students who are acutely ill and would like a same-day appointment.
Physical Examinations: Complete physical examinations for study abroad, sports, or employment are available. Routine blood work, preventative health counseling, and asymptomatic sexually transmitted illness screening can be completed during a complete physical exam.
Immunizations: Required and routine immunizations are available.

Women's Health Services

Gynecological Exams: Evaluation for gynecologic concerns is provided. A gynecologic exam involves an external and internal physical examination of female genitalia. Additionally, a breast exam is often performed for a more comprehensive women's health evaluation. A GYN exam generally includes testing for sexually transmitted infections as well as a Pap Smear. You can make an appointment for a GYN exam online or by calling the Student Health Center.
Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear): A Pap screening looks for changes in the cervix that might become cervical cancer. Women and individuals assigned female at birth should begin screenings at age 21 and, if results are normal, be screened again every three years until age 29. After 30, you should be screened every five years if your prior screenings were normal. In some instances, the rate of Pap screening should be done more frequently.
Contraceptive Options: Contraceptive options such as birth control pills or injectable birth control are available.

Sexual Health Services

STI Screening and Treatment: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are spread by bodily fluids. If you are sexually active (i.e. oral, vaginal, or anal) with anyone then you can be exposed to infections that may not have any symptoms immediately. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis can be screened on an annual basis or more frequently if indicated and treated if necessary.
HIV Screening: We also recommend HIV screening every year for sexually active individuals.
Trauma-Informed Care: Students who have experienced sexual assault can receive trauma-informed care at the Student Health Center, which may include STI testing and/or treatment, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, immunization recommendations, and referrals to additional resources. The initial office visit and pertinent tests are free of charge. Please note that the Student Health Center does not offer sexual assault forensic exams (“rape kits”) to collect DNA evidence from a sexual assault.
Sexual Functioning Concerns: The SHC addresses sexual functioning concerns.

Mental Health Services

Telepsychiatry: Please note that telepsychiatry is only available for students who are physically in Washington, DC, as our psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner are not licensed to offer telepsychiatry to students outside of DC. Before your scheduled appointment, you will be sent a secure message through the student health portal with instructions on how to connect for your telepsychiatry appointment.
Initial Psychiatric Assessment form is available online at the Student Health Portal before your appointment.

Other Services

Referrals: Referral for other services not provided is available.
COVID Vaccine Prescription: Students who would like to get prescription for a COVID vaccine should schedule an appointment for the reason: "COVID vaccine prescription."

Making an Appointment

SHC services are available by appointment. To make an appointment:

Call: Simply call us at 202-885-3380.
Schedule Online: or schedule online.
Same-Day Appointments: If you are sick and would like to be seen urgently, it still may be possible to see a health care clinician at the SHC. To make a same-day appointment, call 202-885-3380 and press #1, then #2 and you will be connected with a patient service representative who will help you schedule the visit. We encourage students to call the health center as early in the day as possible to ensure that there will be an appointment available for them.
Telehealth appointments: Telehealth appointments for certain appointment types are available.

Important Considerations When Scheduling:

Specify Appointment Type: Specify what type of appointment you need.
Follow-Up Visits: When scheduling a follow-up visit, you should make an appointment with the same provider from your initial visit.
Provider Preference: You can also specify if you would like to see a male or female provider.

Preparing for Your Appointment

To ensure a smooth and efficient visit, students should take the following steps:

Forms: You must have any necessary forms filled out on the Student Health Portal before arriving to your scheduled appointment. Many of our forms are now available for you to complete online at the Student Health Portal before your appointment. These online forms include the Women's Health History Form.
ID and Insurance Card: Bring your student ID card and insurance card.
Arrival: Students should arrive at the Student Health Center 10 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time.

Cancellation Policy

We want to make sure that every student who needs to see a medical provider has the opportunity to do so. If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, you need to cancel the appointment at least 2 hours ahead of the appointment time. Please be aware that any student who does not cancel their appointment two hours ahead of time will be charged a no-show fee of $25.

Fees and Payment

Fees for Services: There are fees for services at the Student Health Center. Please review the fee schedule before your first visit.
Receipt for Services: You may print a receipt through the student health portal after each visit. Click under "Appt."

Common Forms and How to Access Them

Medical work often requires forms. Many of our forms are now available for you to complete online at the Student Health Portal before your appointment. Below you’ll find descriptions of the most commonly needed or required forms for the Student Health Center.

Immunization History Form: Please complete the Immunization History form on the Student Health Portal and upload a copy of your immunization form for review.
Release of Medical Records Form: If you need a copy of your medical record, a Release of Medical Records form must be filed. This form authorizes AU's Student Health Center to administer care and treatment.
Provider Form: Providers, please fill out this form so that this student may continue treatment at AU SHC.
ADHD Refills: Note: Those seeking ADHD refills must send psychological/neuropsychological testing prior to the first visit.

Important Information for Parents

If you’re a parent and your student is ill, we know you want to be there to help. We also understand that it can be frustrating as a parent when a student is getting healthcare from providers you don't know. Please understand that we DO encourage parents to collaborate with us in their student’s care. In addition, American University does not serve as a custodian of medical directives, healthcare proxy, and power of attorney. If you have questions and would like to speak with your child’s healthcare provider, the best thing you can do is have your child go to the Student Health Center to sign the release. Parents may find it difficult to have their student seen by providers in a clinic which is very different from a pediatrician’s office. Most students find the transition to be an easy one.

Understanding the Transition to College Healthcare

Parents may find it difficult to have their student seen by providers in a clinic which is very different from a pediatrician’s office. Most students find the transition to be an easy one.

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Encouraging Student Independence

Additional Resources and Information

Interested in learning about healthy living? At the Student Health Center, we're always looking to improve our quality of service.

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