Important Information about Insurance Requirements and Other Health Related Information

Students: Please see information that concerns your health! Take a few minutes to read this e-mail thoroughly. Those of you who are covered by a parent or partner’s insurance policy may also want to share this e-mail as a reminder to check your coverage.

Now is the time for open enrollment for most insurance companies. Check with your current insurance carrier as soon as possible to review end dates and what you need to do to secure on-going insurance coverage. If you are on a parent or partner’s plan, check with them. If your insurance changes, remember to send a scanned copy of your new insurance card to healthservices@elon.edu.

Elon University does not contract for a student health insurance plan. Review the attached resource page for information about securing insurance coverage through options specified in the Affordable Care Act.

Student Health Insurance Requirements and Resources

Elon University is committed to the health and well-being of all of its students. Health Insurance is required as a condition of enrollment for:

• Full-time, degree-seeking domestic undergraduate students

• Degree-seeking domestic graduate students

• International students with F or J visas

• Undergraduate students who are degree-seeking students who only need part-time status to compete their degree

Students must provide proof of insurance coverage prior to initial matriculation on their Health History Form and to notify Health Services immediately if their insurance policy/coverage changes throughout their time at Elon. Students who need to update their insurance policy may do so by sending a copy of their updated insurance card to healthservices@elon.edu. The insurance coverage should cover emergency treatment at local hospitals/clinics as well as coverage by off campus specialists if needed.

Domestic students (undergraduate and graduate students) may have access to health insurance through several means. All plans must meet the minimums standards as required by the Affordable Care Act. Acceptable insurance plans may include coverage as a dependent on a spouse, partner or parent’s insurance plan. This may include coverage in an employer sponsored plan, state marketplace plan or other insurance plan. More information about eligibility in your student’s state may be found at Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

For your convenience, the following website made available by Collegiate Risk, may assist you in securing insurance as a student. Elon University does not endorse any particular plan; but this is the type of broker who can assist you in securing insurance.

International students (those with F or J visas) must either provide proof of acceptable insurance in your home country or enroll in the student insurance policy arranged by the Isabella Cannon Center for Global Engagement. The premium will be billed to your student account; you must provide proof of insurance to have it removed from your account. If you have questions about your eligibility for international insurance or requirements, please contact Mr. François Masuka at fmasuka@elon.edu.

Health Services is available to all currently enrolled students, including graduate students and law students. Office visits are included in your health fees and tuition.  Students are seen at Health Services by appointment only (including weekends). Appointment can be scheduled by calling 336.278.7230. General hours of operation are:

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

More information may be found at the Health Services website        

Several students and parents have asked for other local and regional resources that may supplement their student’s insurance plan and the services offered at Elon University Health Services. Campus MedCall is a supplemental medical services plan available to college students, faculty and staff. They provide 24/7/365 immediate connection to Board Certified Physicians who facilitate Emergency and non-Emergency medical events resulting from accident or illness. While this service does NOT replace your insurance requirement and is not a contracted Elon provider, it is a service that extends medical care for college students who may become ill at any time and at any US location. Since some insurance plans have high deductibles and co-pays for services out of network, this may be cost effective resource for you and your parents. Of course if it is an emergency and you require immediate medical attention, you should call 9-1-1.

To learn more go to or share their website with your parents: Campus MedCall. Questions about their services should be directed directly to them at 1.855.963.3225.

The Health Services website also lists other local medical resources if you need medical care when Health Services is closed.

A student’s mental health is just as important as physical health! I wanted to bring to your attention several resources for you on campus:

• Counseling Services provides brief, strengths-based psychological support and crisis intervention to address the emotional, social and academic needs of Elon University students. Counseling Services is available by appointment 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday (last appointment. time is 4:00 p.m.) and Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (last general appointment slot at 3:00 p.m.; exception will be call-ahead emergencies). If a student is experiencing a counseling emergency that is life threatening or involves imminent danger (risk of harm to self or others) at any time, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance. Counseling Services responds to crisis situations with prompt intervention and stabilization support. There is a counselor on call for student crises, after hours and on weekends. This on call counselor can be reached through Campus Safety & Police by calling 336.278.5555. To learn more about Counseling Services visit our webpage Counseling Services Webpage.

• Counseling Services also offers an on-line screening tool for students as a “check-up from the neck-up”. The screening also provides information about resources.

• To access the screening tool go to: Mental Health Online Screening. Note: students who are experiencing a psychological emergency and need immediate assistance should call 9-1-1.

• Moses Cone Health System and Elon University are partnering to offer a fee-for-service psychiatrist on campus one afternoon a week beginning October 27. Board certified psychiatrist Dr. Uzma S. Faheem will see students on a fee-for- service basis in the Ellington Center on Tuesday afternoons. Students do not have to pay charges “up front”: charges for Dr. Faheem’s services on campus will be billed to your student account. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Faheem, contact Alamance Regional Psychiatric Associates (a Cone Health Medical group) at 336.586.3795 and ask for Leigh.

• Counseling Services, Health Promotion, and SPARKS offers a range of mental health programming to promote positive mental health, reduce the stigma around mental health issues and train for students, faculty and staff in how to help and refer someone who may have a mental health concern. Watch E-Net for updated program options. If you are interested in hosting a program for your student organization or group, contact Whitney Gregory, Director of Health Promotion and Student Concerns Outreach at wgregory@elon.edu. Ms. Gregory can help you determine what type of program best fits your needs and point you to the right resource.

The flu can be serious – your best protection is a flu vaccine! The Office of Student Health and Wellness and Midtown Pharmacy will offer one final flu vaccine clinic this term.

Monday, November 2 from 4-8 p.m. in Belk Library Room 102

All students who receive a flu vaccine at one of the on-campus clinics will be entered into a drawing for prizes including gift certificates for Barnes and Noble, The Root and The Oak House!

NO OUT OF POCKET COSTS: Most insurance carriers cover the total cost of flu vaccines. You should bring your insurance card with you, and Mid-Town Pharmacy will file your insurance with no out-of-pocket cost. Once your insurance is filed, if you do have a co-pay we can put it on your student account.

OR

Students who do not have an insurance card may pay the $ 20.00 vaccine cost at the time of service. You may pay by cash or check or you can request we post it on your student account.  We will provide documentation if you would like to file for reimbursement from your insurance company at a later time.

Students who cannot attend one of these clinics may also receive flu vaccines at most local pharmacy venues with no out of pocket cost. Need a ride? The BioBus (University Line) makes stops at the following locations with pharmacies:

• CVS on University (Lowe’s Foods)

• Target (University Drive)

The University Line Bio-Bus schedule is located at: http://org.elon.edu/transit/biobus/busSchedule.html

Students may direct questions to The Office of Student Health and Wellness at 336.278.7200 during normal business hours.

Want more information? See the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/index.htm

Not sure whether it is a cold or the flu? Go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm or http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/discomfort-15/cold-flu-season/is-it-a-cold-or-flu

Regardless: we recommend all students have on hand a basic first aid kit and a “cold and flu kit” containing:

• Fever and pain relievers

• Cough syrups and drops

• Nasal sprays

• Decongestants

• Thermometer

• Fluids

• Tissues
  ​

Email sent to students by Jana Lynn Patterson, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Student Health and Wellness, on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.