Health & Counseling Services

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Health Center

Counseling Center

Office of Sexual Assault Prevention

Health Center Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of health issues are managed in the Student Health Center?

Students are seen for a wide range of health concerns including colds & flu, skin conditions, and sports related injuries. We can also help students with more chronic health issues such as asthma and diabetes get the care they need, whether it is on-campus or a referral to a provider in the community.

Common mental health concerns such as Depression and Anxiety are also able to be evaluated in the Health Center.

Vaccinations and travel consultations are available to students to make sure students are up to date on recommended vaccines and prepared for travel abroad.

The Student Health Center offers a Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic for men and women interested in assessing their risk for a sexually transmitted infection, and getting tested if needed. Birth control, pregnancy testing and female annual exams are also available.

We put a strong emphasis on health education, helping students learn how to manage or avoid health problems in the future. Every student coming in to the Health Center is asked to complete a detailed health history form, which allows for appropriate health screening.

Healing Touch is another service available to interested students. Healing Touch visits typically last about an hour and cost $30.00 per visit.

What does it cost to use the Health Center?

  • Fulltime students: $44.00 Health and Counseling fee per quarter.
  • Part-time students: can pay the quarterly fee or $20.00 for each visit to the Student Health Center.
  • Medication prescribed from the on-site pharmacy usually ranges from $10.00-$20.00, for many common prescriptions such as antibiotics, but anti-depressants may cost as much as $30.00-$90.00 per month.
  • Laboratory charges are billed to the student.
  • Laboratory and pharmacy charges are always discussed with you prior to initiating the test; you always have the right to refuse. Charges can be put on your student account as a health service fee and paid off over the quarter.

What about wellness & prevention visits?

Many of the medical staff have a special interest and expertise in wellness: working with diet, exercise and lifestyle factors to stay healthy. Some staff are interested in working with people with chronic diseases to prevent exacerbations. We have staff people trained in medical herbalism and Healing Touch. We also are familiar with community resources and can refer students. Wednesday afternoons are devoted to preventive care and students can be seen for physical exams, herbal or nutrition consultation and travel advising.

What are the immunization requirements?

With a commitment to the health and safety of all members of our campus community, Evergreen has implemented a policy regarding proof of measles (Rubeola) immunity for all new students. All students must provide a copy of their medical or immunization record showing two doses of Measles (Rubeola) vaccine (usually referred to as the "MMR vaccine"). The doses must have been given after 1/1/68, given at least 30 days apart, and on or after 12 months of age.

Measles continue to have a presence in the United States, affecting primarily young adults. There have been twelve confirmed cases of Measles in King County this year. Between 1989-1991, there were 352 cases of Measles, two of which resulted in death. Both cases involved individuals in their early thirties. Since 1995 there have been three Measles outbreaks on college campus': two in western Washington and one in Vancouver, British Columbia. All of these had a tremendous impact on the students, faculty and staff of these institutions. The outbreaks that occurred last year did not involve college campuses, but were travel related. In one of the cases a young man traveled from Italy, to London, to Chicago, to Sea-Tac while infected with Measles. Due to such cases, the CDC now recommends that anyone considering travel outside the U.S. have proof of Measles immunization. Many employers, especially those in Health, Medicine, Teaching and Childcare are mandating Measles immunization as a condition of employment.

We have provided a form to use as documentation of immunity. Please take a few moments to check your immunization status, then complete the Documentation of Immunity form and return it either to the Health Center or Registration and Records prior to THE BEGINNING OF FALL QUARTER. In the event religious, personal, or medical reasons prevent you from vaccination, you may sign the waiver included on the Documentation of Immunity form.

Many students opt to sign the waiver to avoid tracking down past medical records or getting injections. Should a Measles outbreak occur, these students will have to leave campus for a minimum of two weeks. This may result in missed classes or coursework that you may not be able to make up. If you are a student employee working on campus, you may end up missing work and will not receive compensation for time lost.

In Washington State, it is a requirement of all K-12 students to provide documentation of immunity. Due to enforcement of such policies, most freshmen entering college are already immunized against Measles.

Recommended Vaccinations

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that college students and parents learn about meningococcal meningitis and the potential benefits of vaccination.

he student Health Center offers the Meningococcal vaccine and the following vaccines to interested students:

  • Meningococcal vaccine $95 Free to those 18 yrs & younger
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Contact us for cost.
  • TdAP Contact us for cost. Free to students 18 yrs & younger
  • Hepatitis A (series of 2) $30 per injection
  • Hepatitis B (series of 3) $35 per injection
  • PPD (tuberculin skin test) $5

Are physicals available?

We offer sports physicals to students participating in formal team sports or to students meeting a requirement for travel or a participation in a particular program. For these types of physicals, which usually include specific paperwork to be completed, there is an administrative fee.

What about health insurance?

The Health Center does not bill insurance companies directly. Students receive a copy of the bill at the end their visit, students with insurance can submit this form to your health insurance provider for reimbursement.

If you do not have health insurance, but are interested, you can contact the Health Center or Student Accounts for a brochure with more detailed information about insurance that can be purchased.

Other options for assistance with health care include the Basic Health Insurance Program of Washington state. This is highly recommended for Washington state residents who have on-going health problems and do not have insurance.

What about after hours care?

The Student Health Center does not provide after hours care, hospital or emergency room care. We do not have dental care, eye exams or hearing testing. We do not have specialists on staff. However, we are familiar with resources in the community and can make referrals for these kinds of visits. The costs of such visits are the responsibility of the student. We strongly recommend that all students have health insurance in case of emergency or severe illness.

What are my rights and responsibilities as a patient?

Your rights as a health care consumer at the Evergreen State College SHC:

  1. The student has the right to considerate and respectful care.
  2. The student has the right to make intelligent choices about health products, services and health care practitioners.
  3. The student has the right to receive complete and current information concerning the diagnosis and treatment from the Evergreen State College Student Health Center.
  4. The student has the right to receive all of the necessary and pertinent information to make informed decisions about health care treatment.
  5. The student has the right to refuse treatment, as permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of that action.
  6. The student has the right to privacy regarding the medical care provided.
  7. The student has the right to expect that all communications and health care records will be treated as confidential. Students will be given the opportunity to approve or refuse the relase of medical records, except when required by law.
  8. The student has the right to expect that within its capacity, the Student Health Center will make reasonable efforts to provide requested services.
  9. The student has the right to know if the SHC is engaging in health care research and the right to refuse to participate in such research.
  10. The student has the right to expect reasonable continuity of health care.
  11. The student has the right to examine costs of treatment and receive explanation as needed.
  12. The student has the right to register concerns & complaints regarding health care with health care providers and/or administrative staff.

Your responsibilities as a health care consumer at the Evergreen State College SHC:

  1. The student has a responsibility to develop a wellness plan which promotes health and minimizes disease and injury
  2. The student has a responsibility to learn about health care through the Student Health Center and to make wise decisions about using the center.
  3. The student has a responsibility to seek out health information from reliable sources and utilize it to promote health and minimize disease and injury.
  4. The student has the responsibility to accept the consequences of their own health choices.
  5. The student has a responsibility to voice concerns and complaints, documenting these and presenting them through appropriate channels.
  6. The student has a responsibility to participate in health activities and provide feedback to the Student Health Center.
  7. The Evergreen health consumer has a responsibility to follow the guidance of the Social Contract:

    "The individual members of the Evergreen community are responsible for protecting each from physical harm, from personal threats, and from uncivil abuse. Civility is not just a word; it must be present in all our interactions...Among the basic rights of individuals are freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of belief and freedom from intimidation, violence and abuse."