UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICE
International Student Orientation
Welcome to Binghamton! May you enjoy good health and a successful learning experience while in our community. The following information is provided to help you as you learn to use the health care system in the United States, particularly as it is structured on this campus.
For details and other health references:
VISIT OUR WEB PAGE! http://health.binghamton.edu
Health Care in the US...
...is likely to be very different from what you are accustomed to
...may be more costly than you expect, even with insurance
The Most Important Thing - Come to the Health Service first!
...there is no charge for office visits, nor for most medications or supplies that our staff may order for you
...you can avoid having to pay a deductible on your insurance
...you can choose to see a male or female physician. All of our nurses are female and we have three female nurse practitioners
...birth control/family planning services are available
...written material about many health related subjects is available free of charge
...you are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns with a nurse
...health educators are available to meet personally with individuals or with groups
...the Health Service maintains a list of area physicians and dentists should it become necessary to be cared for off campus
How the Health Service works:
...office hours are from 8:00 am-4:45 pm Monday through Friday; Please check our website, health.binghamton.edu for evening hours availability.
...the office is located on the East Access Road, across from College-in-the-Woods
the telephone number is 607-777-2221
...you can walk in or call ahead for an appointment. Please consult our website for walk in care for further information. The least busy time is often early in the morning (except Thursdays when staff meet from 9-10 am).
...always bring your validated Binghamton University ID card with you
...a nurse will evaluate you first, listen to your concerns and possibly examine you
...the nurse may give you everything you need, without your having to see a physician
...if needed, the nurse will make an appointment for you with the physician or nurse practitioner
...the nurse will give you medication if it is prescribed for you by Health Service medical
staff (there is no actual pharmacy and therefore it is not possible to fill prescriptions from other doctors)
YOUR HEALTH AND IMMUNITY FORM IS ESSENTIAL...
...to receiving care at the Health Service
...to gaining eligibility to register for classes and to maintaining campus housing. Proof
of Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunity and the Meningitis Acknowledgement Form
must be submitted to University Health Service before students will be allowed to
register for classes
**Immunity information is critical. Public Health law requires submission of proof to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella for all students born on or after January 1, 1957. All students (regardless of credit load or birth date) must complete the meningitis response form. If written documentation of necessary information is not available, you must be immunized at the Health Service. This should be attended to as soon as possible as there is often a need for more than one vaccination separated by a month-long interval.
BE SURE TO IDENTIFY YOUR LOCAL ADDRESS TO THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR SERVICES. IT IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF CONTACTING YOU IN A TIMELY MANNER.