Navigating Student Health Services at UVM: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Vermont (UVM) is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of its students. The Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHWB) offers a wide array of medical, mental health, health promotion, and wellbeing services designed to keep students healthy, successful, and engaged throughout their academic journey. This article provides a detailed overview of the services available, eligibility criteria, and other important information relevant to student health at UVM.

Accessing Care at the Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHWB)

The CHWB strives to provide welcoming, individualized, and affirming care to all students, regardless of their background. They are committed to maintaining healthcare and health promotion experiences that are equitable and inclusive to individuals of all identities and backgrounds including, but not limited to, sex, gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and age. Through inclusive excellence CHWB focuses on addressing the ever-present barriers in health, and works with students to find solutions to reduce and remove the numerous barriers that prohibit individuals from full participation in accessing care and their college experience.

To ensure that UVM students have access to health-related services, CHWB is available to all eligible students, regardless of their health insurance coverage.

Eligibility for Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling & Psychiatry Services (CAPS)

Effective July 1, 2026, the following eligibility policy outlines the criteria for accessing SHS and CAPS within the CHWB.

Eligibility Criteria Based on Enrollment and Fees

Eligibility for SHS/CAPS services is primarily determined by credit load and payment of the health fee. Here’s a breakdown based on student category:

Read also: Comprehensive Health Overview

Undergraduate and Graduate Students (9 credits or more): Students enrolled in 9 or more credits are automatically charged the health fee and are eligible for services without further action.
Undergraduate and Graduate Students (8 credits or less): Students enrolled in 8 or fewer credits have the option to pay the health fee. Upon payment, they become eligible for SHS/CAPS services. Any student accessing services must pay the entirety of the health fee for the term no matter when services are accessed. There are no prorated fees.
Recent Graduates: Recent graduates who have already paid the health fee prior to graduation have access to care through June 30 for May graduates and Jan. 30 for December grads. The goal of care through this time will be to provide transitionary services.

Individuals Not Eligible

Certain individuals are not eligible to receive services at CHWB:

Spouses or civil union partners of undergraduate or graduate students are not eligible to receive services at CHWB but are eligible to purchase the University-sponsored health insurance if their partner has also done so.
Individuals who have paid the health fee and withdraw from the University during an academic semester are no longer eligible for care at CHWB. In order to allow for an orderly transition of their care, these individuals may be seen for a brief period of time - generally not to exceed 30 days - after their withdrawal until arrangements for ongoing care is completed.

Withdrawals and Transitional Care

Students who withdraw from the University during a semester immediately lose SHS/CAPS eligibility for services. Funds will be refunded or not refunded in alignment with the UVM Refund Schedule as maintained by Student Financial Services.

However, a transition exception exists: Withdrawn students may continue to receive care for up to 30 days post withdrawal to facilitate transfer of care arrangements. The transition exception requires having already paid the full health fee. Students in UVM study abroad terms, or those beginning a semester but not yet fully registered, may receive care under the same 30-day transition allowance.

Important Considerations for Students with Limited Credits

All students who opt to pay the health fee must purchase the Student Health Insurance Policy or be able to demonstrate that they have a policy in place which provides equivalent coverage.

Comprehensive Services Offered

The Center for Health and Wellbeing offers a broad spectrum of services, including:

Medical Services: Addressing a wide range of health concerns, from routine check-ups to managing chronic conditions.
Mental Health Counseling (CAPS): Providing support for various mental health challenges through individual and group counseling.
Health Promotion: Offering programs and resources to promote healthy lifestyles and preventative care.
Wellbeing Services: Focusing on holistic wellbeing, including stress management, mindfulness, and other self-care practices.

Counseling & Psychiatry Services (CAPS) in Detail

CAPS offers a short-term, solutions focused counseling model designed to support as many UVM students as possible by providing more opportunities for access while also addressing student counseling needs. In these sessions, counselors and students work collaboratively to address immediate challenges.

Counseling is typically offered every two weeks after an initial intake session. The amount of sessions depends on the time it takes to address the immediate challenge. CAPS can also help you find longer-term counseling in the greater Burlington community, connecting students with case managers who help find care in the local area. CAPS offers groups and one-time sessions as well.

Students access CAPS for a variety of reasons, including:

Relationship challenges
Academic stressors
Exploring new or developing identities
Feeling sad or irritable
Body image concerns
Adjusting to college life
Grief and loss
Anxiety and depression
Recovery
Family stress and support
And many more topics

Group therapy provides a safe and trusting environment where you can gain support, share experiences, get feedback from others, and try out new skills.

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is serviced by University Health Plans and underwritten by Wellfleet Insurance Company. Students who enroll in the UVM Student Health Insurance Plan are required to obtain all primary/preventative/routine care at the Center for Health & Wellbeing (CHWB).

Read also: U of U Student Health Plan

SHIP Waiver

Students have the option to waive the SHIP if they have comparable insurance coverage. This waiver is required annually, regardless of your insurance decision. Students who do not complete an online waiver by July 1, 2025 (December 1, 2025 for Spring Term) will be billed, the insurance premium will be added to their UVM student account, and a hold will be placed on their registration.

If you are considering waiving UVM’s SHIP, please note that some insurance plans are restrictive and may leave students either under-insured or essentially uninsured while away at school. This could result in you and/or your family incurring substantial out-of-pocket costs for medical care. Students who waived the SHIP may qualify for special enrollment rights if they incur a loss of other coverage. Eligible students may also insure, on a Voluntary Participation Basis, their eligible Dependents.

After-Hours Care

Student Health Services offers after-hours support. If you need assistance outside of regular hours, please call 802-656-3350 and follow the phone prompts to speak with an after-hours nurse.

New Health Center on the Horizon

UVM is planning a new student health center on the Redstone Campus to make the center more accessible. The new $16 million building will unite medical services, mental health counseling, and physical therapy under one roof. The new building will also have new lab space and 17 exam rooms as opposed to the current 10. It also expands the counseling and psychiatry services training program. That expansion will include more group rooms, observation spaces, therapeutic spaces for students, and meeting spaces for staff. Construction on the new center is set to start in the summer of 2026 and be completed by the fall of 2026.

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