1. Do I have to have an appointment, or can I just walk-in at student health?

Appointments are required. Same-day appointments may be available.

If you need emergency care, you should probably go directly to an emergency room as the student health clinic is not equipped to provide emergency care.

Heath Care Providers

1. Do I have to get all my health care from Student Health?

No.
Primary health care is available to all LSUHSC registered students through Student Health, at no charge for the visit. You are not required to use this service. You may use the service as much or as little as you wish.

Visits to other LSUHCN clinics (e.g., neurology, dermatology) are billed at the provider's regular rate.

2. What are my Health Care options beyond Student Health?

Your options depend upon your insurance coverage.

If you elected to take the LSUHSC student policy, check your brochure. If you have another carrier, check with them. For example if you are covered by OHP, you may come to student health for free care (no charge for the visit), but OHP may deny the cost of lab tests or X-rays done at LSUHSC. In that case you would be responsible for the bill from LSUHSC.

The LSUHSC student policy brochure lists a provider network that you may access, and instructions regarding how to identify specific preferred providers.

As your insurance brochure notes, you are reimbursed at a higher rate with preferred providers.

Currently BlueCross BlueShiled at http://www.bcbsla.com has a list of all preferred providers. Check that web site for further information.

If you have elected to take the LSUHSC student policy You are in a PPO. This is an important distinction when making insurance arrangements with providers of care.

3. How do I get more information about my insurance coverage?

You can either read your brochure or visit your health insurance provider's website at http://www.bcbsla.com. Because Student Health Services does not underwrite your insurance, we cannot make judgments about coverage. The best person to talk to is your insurance agent.

Student Health Services

1. I'm having a hard time getting through the telephone system. Can I just e-mail someone at Student Health?

Yes, you may email StudentHealthStaff@lsuhsc.edu.

2. Can I still be seen by a Student Health Provider after I graduate?

Usually not.

Student health providers are committed to seeing students, so they do not usually book non-students. However, for recent graduates, there may be special circumstances that would allow an after-graduation health care visit. You should expect to pay the standard visit charge for an LSUHCN provider.

3. Who are the providers at Student Health?

You have several options.

Board certified internal medicine physicians are available by appointment.

David Borne MD

Angela McLean MD

Cassandra Youmans MD

You may also elect to see a physician provider outside of the student health clinic. Your insurance will direct you to preferred providers. The LSUHSC student policy lists several physicians as preferred providers. As that policy states, you may self-refer to any of the physicians listed above.

Drs. McLean and Youmans are available for OB Gyn Exams. Please schedule appointments.

Charges for Care

1. Are there any charges if I get my care from Student Health?

You will be charged for immunizations, cytology, lab work, X-ray, mammography, and other such services.

There is no charge for the visit.

Student Health Insurance Information

1. Who is in charge of "Student Health Insurance?"

The agent who provides the policy is in charge of the insurance. This agent was selected by the Student Health Committee.

2. How do I get more information about my insurance coverage?

First, look at your brochure. If you have questions, then call your insurance agent. Your insurance agent can help you with this. The contact for LSUHSC student policy is printed on the front of the brochure. If you need an extra brochure, you can get one from any of the following: (a) The Registrar's office, (b) your school's Student Affairs office, (c) Student Health

4. Do I have to buy the "Student Health Insurance?"

No.

All students must carry insurance, but you are free to purchase any policy that meets your needs.

LSUHSC provides a policy that students may purchase. This insurance is independent of services at Student Health.

5. What if I was insured under my spouse's/parents' policy, but am no longer covered after the semester has begun.

Students usually purchase this policy when they enroll. But, if you were insured by another carrier, and "age out," you may get the student policy at anytime during the semester. You must contact the insurance agent directly as well as send payments to them.

6. What if I have a pre-existing condition?

You may be eligible, under HIPAA for ongoing coverage without the usual 6-month waiting period. Talk to your insurance agent.

7. Does the LSUHSC student policy cover my spouse and dependent children.

You may purchase additional coverage for an additional fee. Check the insurance brochure or contact the insurance agent for details.

8. If I have included my spouse/dependent children on my LSUHSC student policy, will Student Health see my spouse and dependent children?

No.

Only students registered as LSUHSC students can be seen in student health.

9. I haven't received my insurance card. Who should I contact regarding this problem?

Contact your insurance agent. Currently the LSU Contact is:

Tammie Graham, 1-225-906-1227

Gallagher Benefits

10. The insurance covers more of the cost if I go to a preferred provider. Who are the preferred providers?

This depends on your insurance.
If you elected to receive the LSUHSC student health insurance, preferred provider information can be accessed from the http://www.bcbsla.com website -- follow the directions for PPO members

11. What if I want to see someone who is NOT a preferred provider?

This depends on your insurance.
If you elected to take the LSUHSC student policy your insurance brochure states that you will pay a greater percentage of the bill and will be responsible for a deductible (unless you are referred to a non-network provider by student health) if you elect to see an out-of network (non-preferred) provider.

12. Are all LSUHCN providers considered preferred providers?

Most LSUHCN faculty are preferred providers for various insurance carriers.

New faculty may not be listed as preferred providers because their credentials have not yet been sent to/processed by the insurance company. Provider offices usually know which insurance they take.

13. How do I get a Student Health referral to an out-of-network provider?

If you are insured by a carrier other than the LSUHSC student policy, contact your provider.

If you have elected to take the LSUHSC student policy, contact student health before your out-of-network provider visit. Referrals cannot be post-dated â€“ That is insurance fraud.

Have a rationale for selecting the non-preferred (out-of-network) provider. A PPO works to keep overall costs down, which makes your premiums lower. Going outside of the PPO network tends to increase costs, so the referral must indicate a rationale for the out-of-network visit.

For example if you have an on-going relationship with an out-of-network psychiatrist, counselor, midwife, gynecologist, or urologist that would be sufficient rationale for the referral. If you wanted and MRI and Student Health had no information about why the MRI was needed, a referral for MRI would be more difficult to justify.

14. How do I know what providers are covered under the plan?

A wide range of providers (e.g., nurse practitioners, physical therapist, physicians, psychologists) are covered. This information can be accessed from the http://www.bcbsla.com website -- follow the directions for PPO members.

15. How do I make appointments with these providers?

The provider list has the telephone numbers and addresses. Simply call as you usually would.

16. What hospitals can I go to for emergency/specialized care?

A wide range of facilities are covered (e.g., ambulance services, birthing centers, chemical dependency treatment centers, hospitals, home health agencies, and laboratories).

Again, these can be accessed from the website for http://www.bcbsla.com

17. Where do I get my prescriptions filled?

This depends on your insurance.

There is no special pharmacy for students. Check http://www.bcbsla.com for available pharmacies.

18. If I am a resident and have selected the LSUHSC student policy rather than Employees State Group am I still eligible for services from Student Health?

Usually Not.
Special arrangements have been made for Student Health to provide services to Psychology Student Interns who are registered as LSUHSC interns and Graduate Dental Students. No other interns or residents are covered at this time.

19. Do I have to have an appointment, or can I just walk-in at student health?
Yes, please make an appointment.

20. What if this is an emergency?

If you need emergency care, you should go directly to an emergency room as the student health clinic is not equipped to provide emergency care.

However, Student Health can accommodate urgent care visits. The triage nurse will determine the urgency of your visit. You may have to wait if your symptoms do not warrant immediate attention.

Health Requirements for Registration

Louisiana State University Health Science Center requires all medical, nursing, allied health, and dental students to meet the following health requirements for admission:

Varicella titer positive (i.e., immune) AND 2 varivax immunizations
MMR vaccines must be after 1957 (two in series) AND proof of immunity
Tetanus/diptheria test within past 10 years
TB skin test or blood test each year
- Chest x ray is required only if the TB skin test is positive. INH therapy is strongly encouraged for latent TB for 9 months. Treatment of active TB is required.
Hepatitis B vaccination at 0, 30, and 180 days AND proof of immunity with a quantitative Hep B surface antibody titer
Meningococcal Vaccine given at age 16 or older, or Waiver
Annual flu vaccine if during flu season (dental school exempt)
COVID-19 vaccination

	Required Documentation		Additional Information
Varicella	Titer AND Copy of original lab with reference range*		immunization proof if applicable
Measles (roseola) Mumps and Rubella	Titer AND Copy of original lab with reference range*	AND	MMR immunization proof 2 injections required ALL must be completed.
Hepatitis B titer	Quantitative titer AND Copy of original lab with reference range	AND	Proof of immunization 3 injections required Given at 0 - 30 - 180 days Up to date at time of registration*

*If your hepatitis B titer is negative, you have the option of receiving a hepatitis B booster vaccine, or repeating the hepatitis B series.

*If the varicella titer is negative, repeat the series (2 vaccines) and submit documentation of each vaccine to studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu

*if one of the three MMR titers are negative, then submit proof of an MMR booster. If 2 or more titers are negative, repeat the MMR series (2 vaccines) and submit documentation of each vaccine to studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu

	Required Documentation	Additional Requirements
PPD or blood testing within past 12 months	+ or - result AND Notation of # of m.m. of induration. BCG recipients should receive blood testing only	If positive screen, complete "PPD screening for positive test only" in enrollment packet
Tetanus/Diphtheria	Proof of vaccination within the last 10 years

For graduate studies students Including MD/MPH and MD/PhD students enrolled in graduate studies programs:

	Required Documentation		Additional Information
Meningitis Vaccine	Date of Immunization	OR	meningitis immunization waiver
COVID-19 Vaccine	Dates of Immunization
Varicella	Titer AND Copy of original lab with reference range*		immunization proof if applicable
Measles (roseola) Mumps and Rubella	Titer AND Copy of original lab with reference range	OR	MMR immunization proof 2 injections required ALL must be completed.
Tetanus/Diphtheria within 10 years	Date of immunization

*If the varicella titer is negative, repeat the series (2 vaccines) and submit documentation of each vaccine to studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu

Health Blocks

1. Why does Student Health block my registration?

Immunizations and other health requirements are entered into a computer program that monitors adherence to recommended immunizations for students/health care workers.

If your immunizations/health screening requirements are not up to date, you will be blocked from registration.

2. How do I know if I have a health block?

You should receive an email warning of impending blocks, and when your account has been blocked. First, review your student health record on the academic self-service page to determine the reason for the block. If you need clarification, send an email to studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu. You may also call Student Health Services at (504) 568-1800 to speak to the Student Health Coordinator.

3. How do I clear a health block?

Submit documentation via email to student health (studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu) that your immunizations/screening is up-to-date. Screenshots will not be accepted. You may also fax documentation to 504-568-1799. Documentation sent on the day of registration may NOT be entered that day due to the volume of data entry required. All 5 schools register within a few days of each other, so data entry requirements are heaviest around each registration.

After the original registration, most people are blocked because they did not get an annual TB skin test, or annual flu vaccine. Please be aware of the date of expiration of your TB skin test, in order to fulfill your requirements before the deadline.

If you are checking your status around registration, remember that many others -- for many other schools -- are doing the same thing. You many not be able to talk directly to someone. Email correspondence is preferred. If you call, please leave a number where a message can be left. If we are to leave a message, be sure to specify that we can leave a message at the number you provide.

Service Fees

What services generate a charge?

Immunizations, laboratory tests, X-ray, and health care visits to specialty providers (e.g., Dermatology, neurology, orthopedics) all generate a charge that students are expected to pay.

Visits to Emergency Rooms, and providers other than the student health clinic usually generate a charge.

Questions/Complaints

Questions/Complaints about Insurance:

Talk to your insurance agent (telephone number on the front of your brochure) or visit the student health insurance website at Student Health Insurance Information (lsuhsc.edu)

Questions/Complaints about Student Health Clinic

Contact the Student Health Office at 504-568-1800

Donyelle Marigny (dmari1@lsuhsc.edu)
Student Health Coordinator and LPN

504-568-1798

Email StudentHealthStaff@lsuhsc.edu.