Navigating UTMB Student Health Services: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is dedicated to nurturing people and fostering change, and a crucial aspect of this commitment is ensuring the health and well-being of its students. UTMB provides a range of health services designed to support student learning, personal development, and overall academic success, contributing to a safe and productive campus learning environment. This article offers a comprehensive overview of UTMB's student health services, including counseling, insurance, and emergency procedures.

Accessing Student Health and Counseling Services

UTMB students have access to a variety of resources through Student Health and Counseling (SHC). These services are designed to address both physical and mental health needs, ensuring students have the support they need to succeed academically and personally.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS offers students the opportunity to talk privately about personal, academic, or other concerns in a safe, confidential setting. Counseling provides an opportunity for students to freely explore personal problems or concerns such as social difficulties, conflicts, anxiety or depression, sexuality and orientation, concerns about academic progress or direction, and other issues. CAPS strives to be of assistance for students in their pursuit of academic, personal, and career goals.

If you are in need of immediate counseling services and cannot find any availability online, or you are not seeing a time that works for you, walk-in appointments are available for sick visits; however, wait times are not guaranteed.

Insurance Information

Insurance coverage is mandatory for all students enrolled at the University. UTMB recognizes the importance of medical insurance during their enrollment at the University to protect against unexpected, unforeseen medical expenses. Student Health Services now accepts health insurance as payment for services, and services are generally covered by many insurance companies.

UTMB employees who are also students may utilize the same health services and receive the same benefits as other UTMB students.

Billing and Claims

Students are responsible for filing a claim to their insurance company for services rendered upon arrival. Your insurance company, however, will determine that some or all of the charges incurred will be covered by your policy. UTMB also offers an affordable health insurance plan for its students, providing additional major medical benefits for situations where emergency care is needed at other facilities.

Important Insurance Terms

Understanding common insurance terms is essential for navigating the healthcare system. Here are some key definitions:

Claim: A request by either the plan customer (you) or a plan customer’s healthcare provider (your PCP) for the insurance company to pay for medical services.
Coinsurance: Your share of the cost for a covered healthcare service, usually calculated as a percentage (like 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. The insurance company pays part of the bill (say 80%) until you've paid your total out-of-pocket for the plan year. Some plans then pay 100% of your allowed medically necessary costs.
Copayment (Co-pay): An amount you pay as your share of the cost for a medical service or item, like a doctor's visit.
Deductible: The amount you owe for covered health care services before your health insurance or plan begins to pay. For example, with a $1000 deductible, you pay the first $1000 of costs yourself. After that, the company starts to pay its share.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB): An EOB is a statement from your health insurance plan describing what costs it will cover for medical care. The EOB is generated when your health care provider submits a claim for the services you received to the health care provider.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. HMO plans use a specific network of providers. If you seek care outside of the network, you may have to pay part or all of the bill yourself. An example of an HMO is AETNA HMO. To be eligible for coverage, you may need to reside in the service area.
Network: The doctors, hospitals, and suppliers your health insurer has contracted with to deliver health care services to their members. If you seek care outside of the network, you may have to pay part or all of the bill yourself.
Out-of-pocket Costs: Your expenses for medical care that are not reimbursed by insurance. This could include copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for covered services and costs for services that are not covered.
Primary Care Provider (PCP): The PCP is typically your first point of contact for all health-related care. Some insurance plans require that a person cannot see a specialist without first having a referral from their PCP.
Referral: A referral is an authorization required by some insurance plans that members obtain from their designated primary health care provider.

It is vital to verify coverage before each office visit to avoid unexpected costs.

Emergency Procedures

In case of an emergency, students should contact the Campus Police at extension (409) 772-1111 immediately or call 911. Information contained within the UTMB site is not intended to take the place of counseling, nor to aid in crisis or emergency. Individuals in emergency or urgent situations should go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. EMS will respond.

Read also: Guide to UC Davis Student Housing

Additional Support Services at TAMUG

For students at the Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) campus, additional support services are available in coordination with UTMB.

On-Campus Assistance

If emergency maintenance/custodial needs arise (e.g., circuit breaker blown, lock doesn’t work, pipe break, sewer back up, no heat/air) in your room, please contact your Housing Coordinator. The CL&L Staff Member will contact SSC regarding your emergency need.

In situations where a student needs assistance but it is not an emergency:

A friend (not CL&L staff member) can get food or groceries at an off-campus location and drop it at your door.
A friend (not CL&L staff member) can use your student ID to get “take-out” food at a TAMUG Dining location.
TAMUG Dining Services can deliver hot/cold meals and drop them at the student’s door (at a cost to the student). Meals will be delivered to the front desk of your hall.
TAMUG Dining Services can also deliver bulk convenience/pantry items at a cost to the student. Bulk items will be delivered to the front desk of your hall.

Liaison Services

Students can contact the Office of Counseling Services, who is the liaison between TAMUG and UTMB for Student Health Services. Be aware that the staff member is not a health care professional. Also, note that no one is allowed to move in with you to provide care (including a parent).

No-Show Fee

Student Health and Counseling charges a "No Show" fee of $25.00 for missed therapy and psychiatric appointments. The no-show fee will be applied if an appointment is not canceled by 3 pm one business day prior to the scheduled visit.

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