University of Iowa Student Health Services: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Iowa is committed to supporting the health and well-being of its students. This commitment is demonstrated through a range of services offered by Student Health, designed to address various aspects of student health, from physical to mental and emotional wellness. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the health services available to students at the University of Iowa.

Accessing Your Medical Records with MyChart

MyChart is the University of Iowa Health Care's patient portal, a valuable tool for students to manage their healthcare. It is recommended that all students sign up for MyChart upon arrival on campus. With a MyChart account, students can conveniently:

Access test results
Manage appointments (cancel appointments, get reminders, etc.) Note: Self-scheduling Student Health appointments is temporarily disabled. Students are advised to call for scheduling.
Send messages to their healthcare team
Request prescription refills

MyChart is also integral to accessing video visits with healthcare providers, which are commonly used for respiratory symptom appointments and many mental health appointments.

Immunization Requirements

All students entering the University of Iowa must provide proof of two MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccinations. This requirement ensures the health and safety of the entire campus community.

Health Fee and Insurance

Students enrolled at the UI are automatically assessed a health fee with their tuition. For detailed information about what the health fee covers, students can visit the Health Fee/Costs page. In addition to the health fee, students are required to have health insurance to cover other charges accrued during health visits at Student Health, such as immunizations, lab tests, physicals, or procedures.

Public Health Measures and Absences

The University of Iowa supports compliance with public health measures to control the spread of communicable illnesses. Students who are ill should contact their instructors as soon as possible regarding make-up work. MyChart can be used to acquire documentation regarding medical visits for this purpose.

Comprehensive Healthcare Services

Student Health offers a wide array of services beyond just treating illnesses and injuries. These include:

Preventive health visits (physicals, annual exams)
Chronic disease management (diabetes, asthma)
Women's health care (Pap smears, contraceptive management, and procedures)

Mental Health Support

Recognizing the importance of mental health, the University of Iowa offers several resources to support students' emotional and psychological well-being.

Scanlan Center for School Mental Health

Established in June 2021 and housed in the UI College of Education, the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health collaborates with Iowa school districts, including students, staff, and parents. The center offers virtual and in-person services in various areas, including counseling, child psychiatry, evaluations, and professional development. While the center does not specialize in eating disorders, they will work to facilitate referrals to other resources if a higher level of care is needed.

The Scanlan Center recognizes that educators and school staff are often the first to observe changes in a student's behavior or symptoms of an eating disorder, such as skipping lunch.

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Brief Mental Health Screenings

Brief mental health screenings are a quick and easy way to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a mental health professional. They serve as a "checkup from your neck up."

Success, Not Excess

Success, Not Excess provides a small, safe, and supportive space for UI students wanting to make or considering changes in their alcohol or other drug use. The group emphasizes success in academics, relationships, mental and physical health, and other goals through reducing alcohol and other drug use. Meetings are provided by the UI Collegiate Recovery Program.

Intuitive Eating

Intuitive Eating is an approach that teaches you how to create a healthy relationship with your food, mind, and body.

Earthmind

Earthmind is provided in a collaboration with Backyard Abundance, a local nonprofit organization. It is taught in four, 75-minute classes in small groups, and registration is required.

Data Usage and Privacy

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