Pre-Entry Health Requirements

All communication regarding the completeness of their record will be with the student directly through secure messaging on MyJMUChart. A $50 fine and a hold may be placed on any student’s account if they are missing all or part of the required immunizations and TB Screening at the start of the semester. This means the student will not be able to add any classes to their schedule until they provide the required information and pay the fine at the University Business Office (located on the 5th floor of the Student Success Center).

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An official immunization record may be any of the following as long as it contains the same immunizations required by the University Health Center:

  • Printout from a medical provider

  • High school immunization records

  • Immunization records from previously attended colleges and universities

  • Military immunization records

  • International official immunization book "yellow book"

  • Medical provider's office

  • Most urgent care centers

  • Health departments

  • Some pharmacies

Starting move-in day, incoming first-year students living on-campus may schedule an appointment with the University Health Center to receive immunizations.

We do not require a physical, only documentation of the required immunizations and a TB Screening. We will accept official immunization records from schools or medical providers. All required immunizations must be listed and up to date, including the online TB Screening. Please refer to the steps Pre-Entry Health Requirements in the One Book.

We are unable to grant blanket access to a student’s medical records. Each time a student visits the UHC, they are asked if they give permission to discuss details of their appointment with their parents/guardians/other specified individuals about their visit. It is up to the student to decide who has access to their medical records. This is consistent with federal security and privacy regulations.

Medications, Prescriptions, and the UHC Pharmacy

Our pharmacy can fill or refill some prescriptions written by an off campus medical provider. The UHC pharmacy does not carry controlled medications (such as Adderall or narcotics.) See this list of over-the-counter medicines and medicinal products that are available for purchase from the pharmacy.

Students are responsible for keeping their own medications. We recommend they bring a lockbox with them if they are on medications that could be abused (including controlled substances such as Adderall or narcotics).

There are a few options for students to obtain their ADHD medication since our providers do not prescribe, and our pharmacy does not dispense these medications:

  • The student may take their written prescription to a local pharmacy. There are some within walking distance to the university, or on the bus route.

  • Parents/Families may choose to send the written prescription or medication directly to the student.

  • If a student needs to be prescribed ADHD medication, we recommend having your local medical provider refer them to someone in the Harrisonburg area.  You may call Sentara RMH for a physician referral at 1-800-SENTARA or visit their Find a Doctor site.

Birth control pills

Prescriptions can be received from our Women’s Health Clinic.

Prescriptions from home provider can transfer to the University Pharmacy if the brand is available (see website for available list).

Once a prescription has been provided to the student, they can purchase from the University Pharmacy at minimal cost or purchase with insurance at a local pharmacy.

Intrauterine Devices (IUD) and Implantable Rod (Nexplanon)

Make an appointment with our Women’s Health Clinic for a discussion on the process and procedure information.

Depo-Provera Injection

If home provider has prescribed the student may pick up the medication from an outside pharmacy and make an appointment with the Nurse Clinic for injection.

New starts or refills should make a Women’s Health Clinic appointment.

Services and Access to Care

A way for students to manage their own health care by being able to schedule appointments, access receipts and enter medical and immunization history. It is a secure online patient portal which gives students the ability to send and receive secure messages from the University Health Center.

Learning to implement self-care and understanding when it’s appropriate to seek medical care is an important part of a young adult’s life. To assist in this understanding, we strongly encourage students to utilize our available self-care resources; these resources are for self-limited illnesses (conditions that are healed by the body’s immune system and can be treated at home without seeing a medical provider). 

For general and routine care, students may make an appointment at General Medicine through MyJMUChart. If a student is experiencing an urgent medical need, they may walk into our Urgent Care during business hours.

We have nine full-time medical providers on staff: three physicians, four nurse practitioners and two physician assistants. In addition, we have six full-time registered nurses, a full-time pharmacist and pharmacy tech, a full-time registered dietician and several part-time medical providers.

We provide a Talk To A Nurse option during regular business hours. Students will speak with a Registered Nurse to help determine the best course of care for a medical problem.

We suggest utilizing one of our local urgent care centers, or the Sentara RMH Emergency Department.

Most insurance providers have 24-hour nurse advice lines; we encourage students to utilize this option if it is available through their insurance.

We do not provide transportation. We suggest students utilize the local bus transit system, ask friends for rides, take a cab, Lyft, Uber or similar options.

If a student is hospitalized and able to communicate with hospital staff, the student will determine who is notified and has access to their medical information.

If a student is hospitalized and unable to communicate with hospital staff, the hospital will contact the JMU Police Department. The JMU Police Department will contact whoever they have listed as an emergency contact in MyMadison.

Yes, students can either upload their orders to MyJMUChart, or they can be faxed to our Health Information department for review and approval. Once reviewed, students will receive a secure message through MyJMUchart regarding approval. If approved, the student can then call the Health Center for an appointment and to verify costs. All results will be sent to the ordering medical provider.

The JMU Health Center has a limited number of flu shots since we do not bill insurance. Because it is cheaper for insured students to get the flu shot at one of the many local pharmacies that offer this service we typically encourage students to take advantage of this option. There may be an on-campus flu shot clinic in the fall with a third party that can bill insurance. Students should watch their email for more information.

Yes, please visit our website for the required forms and details. We also have an allergy serum drop-off during student move-in.

We recommend that students do the following:

  • Carry their self-administered epinephrine (if they have one)

  • Contact the Office of Disability Services for appropriate accommodations

  • If the allergy is food-related, visit www.foodallergy.org to complete an action plan and contact Dining Services

  • Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace

  • Include in the brief health history on MyJMUChart

We are able to manage routine illness and injury regardless of chronic conditions. However, if the chronic condition complicates the situation, a student may need to consult with specialist in the community; we can help make the referral.

We recommend being knowledgeable about local specialists and having a referral made in advance from your local medical provider in the event that a student needs to be seen immediately for their chronic condition. You may call Sentara RMH for a physician referral at 1-800-SENTARA or visit their Find a Doctor site.

The Office of Disability Services is a resource for academic accommodations, and the Office of Residence Life is a resource for housing accommodations.

View our Chronic Care Guide for more information.

The Counseling Center has a variety of services and resources available to help with mental health issues.

Insurance

We do not bill insurance. There is no fee to see a UHC medical provider. Some of our services have nominal fees, but generally, our costs are kept to a minimum. Students may access their receipts for possible health insurance reimbursement via their MyJMUChart secure portal (reimbursement varies; contact your health insurance carrier to determine what is covered).

Students are expected to pay any incurred costs at the time of their visit. We accept:

  • We typically accept Cash but are not at this time due to COVID-19

  • Check (made payable to JMU)

  • FLEX (on the JACard)

  • Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card (in the student's name)

  • Flexible Spending Account Cards (health flex benefits card)

  • Android Pay

  • Apple Pay

We ask students to upload their insurance cards onto MyJMUChart and recommend they have a copy with them as it is helpful to have in the event they would have to go to the emergency room, need an x-ray, or are referred to a specialist.

We do not require health insurance (except for international students) so there is no need to request a waiver or "opt out".

Although the Health Center does not accept insurance as a form of payment, we take health seriously and are committed to supporting the student body. Deciding on the most appropriate health insurance plan can be difficult, so we have put together some resources to help assist you with this process. For this information, visit our Insurance page.

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