Student Health Services Eligibility for Care

1. Introduction

• 1.1. East Carolina University (“University” or “ECU”) Student Health Services (“SHS”) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (“AAAHC”). SHS is comprised of dedicated professionals offering primary healthcare services to eligible, enrolled students of ECU.

2. Definitions

• 2.1. “Distance Learners” means, for the purposes of this regulation, students taking academic credit bearing classes at the University, but not paying the Student Health Fee.
• 2.2. “Follow-up visits” means a visit for purposes of follow-up of a previous diagnosis, occurring no later than four weeks after the initial diagnosis.
• 2.3. “Grace Period” means the two-week period directly following an enrolled Student’s last semester or graduation from ECU.
• 2.4. “Student Health Fee” means the fee that is included as part of University tuition/fees that is essential to ensuring high quality medical care and facilities, access to licensed professionals, the procurement and maintenance of the latest equipment and technology, and to enable SHS to provide for the health care needs of ECU students through various programs and services. The mandatory fee is an important part of funding for SHS; however, it does not cover the cost of office visits or other ancillary services including but not limited to procedures, labs, radiology, orthopedic equipment, or pharmacy charges.

3. Eligible Students

• 3.1. Eligibility Based on Enrollment
  • 3.1.1. All Students currently enrolled at ECU who have paid a Student Health Fee in the current term of enrollment are eligible for care.
  • 3.1.2. Recent graduates of ECU who need a follow up visit within two weeks of graduation are eligible for care during the Grace Period. At the time of the follow up visit, the graduate will be advised to seek any additional health care from a health care provider of their choosing not associated with SHS.
  • 3.1.3 Former enrolled Students who need a follow up visit within two weeks of the end of the last semester the Student is enrolled are eligible for care during the Grace Period. At the time of the follow up visit, former students will be advised to seek any additional health care from a health care provider of their choosing not associated with SHS.
  • 3.1.4 Recommendation
  • Formerly enrolled students and students who have been suspended are eligible to use the established grace period to request prescription refills. The student must contact Student Health Services by telephone, and the triage nurse will evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis. The request will then be forwarded to the student’s most recent treating provider for review.
  • Depending on the student’s circumstances and the type of medication requested, the provider may authorize a limited supply or number of refills to be sent to an outside pharmacy. Approval is not guaranteed and remains at the provider’s clinical discretion. The student will be advised that they must establish care with an outside provider for medication management and any future refills.
  • This grace-period exception does not otherwise extend the student’s eligibility for Student Health Services.
• 3.2. Eligible Students During Summer
  • 3.2.1. All Students enrolled in summer sessions at ECU that have paid the summer health service fee.
  • 3.2.2 All Students that were enrolled in ECU during the spring semester and are registered for classes for the upcoming fall semester and have paid the summer health service fee.
  • 3.2.3 All Students that were enrolled in ECU during the spring semester and are registered for the upcoming fall semester, and pay for each office visit, at the time of visit during the summer session.
• 3.3. Distance Learners
  • 3.3.1. Distance Learners are eligible for treatment in SHS by paying a distance education student health access fee at the time of each visit.
• 3.4. Eligible Students during Intercession
  • 3.4.1. Beginning the last day of summer session until the first day of fall move-in, students who attended class the previous spring or either summer session, that are registered for classes in the upcoming fall semester, will be charged an intercession fee for each office visit at the time of each office visit.
  • 3.4.2. Beginning the last day of fall semester until the first day of spring semester, students who attended class in the fall and are registered for the upcoming spring semester will be charged an intercession fee at the time of each office visit. SHS is closed each year for winter break and will not provide services during this period.
  • 3.4.3. Beginning the last day of spring semester and ending the first day of the first summer session, students who attended class the in the spring and are registered for the upcoming fall semester will be charged an intercession fee at the time of each office visit.
• 3.5. Student Athletes
• 3.6. Not Eligible for Services
  • 3.6.1. ECU faculty, staff, post-doctoral scholars, dental residents, temporary employees, student’s spouses, student dependents, and any other guests on the campus of ECU are not eligible to receive any care at SHS.
• 3.7 Student Health Services Employees
  • 3.7.1 SHS employees may receive immunizations required for employment only at SHS. No other care will be provided for SHS employees.
  • 3.7.2 SHS shall file any charges related to employment related immunizations received at SHS.  Any charges for such services not covered by the employee’s insurance plan shall be the responsibility of the employee.  
• 3.8  Pharmacy Services
  • 3.8.1 All ECU employees shall be permitted to utilize the Pharmacy for filling prescriptions written by outside health care providers for medications carried by the SHS formulary;
  • 3.8.2 All ECU employees may purchase over the counter medications and supplies from the Pharmacy.
  • 3.8.3 The Pharmacy shall accept co-pays and file accepted drug plans for all ECU employees or distance learners who utilize the pharmacy services. Any charges not covered by insurance shall be sole responsibility of the employee or distance learner.

4. Access to Records

• 4.1 Any ECU Students, former students, or graduates who have received services at SHS may request copies of their medical records at any time. Persons requesting records should contact SHS to discuss procedures and fees associated with the release of records.