SUBJECT:

Student Health Services Important Information

Dear Student,

Student Health Services has several new initiatives, programs and services we want to call to your attention:

* UCSHIP-The Best Health Insurance Option You Can Find - All primary care appointments, routine immunizations and lab tests at Student Health are completely covered by the plan. This means that you will have no out-of-pocket costs for scheduled visits and related labs and/or routine immunizations obtained at Student Health Services. Undergraduates pay only $385.46 per quarter, and graduate student premiums are $594 per quarter. Remember that you WILL BE enrolled in UCSHIP unless you waive out. For more information about plan benefits, fees and the waiver procedure please visit:

http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/shipabout.shtml

Remember---ANY registered student can use Student Health Services, but this year students who don't enroll in UCSHIP will be charged modest fees for visits, immunizations, medications, labs, x-rays and supplies.

*Immunization Updates

. MENINGITIS: The CDC recently updated recommendations to include a booster shot to protect from infection. While meningococcal meningitis is rare, it is very serious and can be fatal, and we strongly recommend immunization. If you were vaccinated once before age 16 and are currently 21 or younger, we strongly recommend that receive a booster. For more information, visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6003a3.htm?s_cid=mm6003a3_w

. PERTUSSIS: Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, recently made a resurgence across the U.S., and can be fatal for infants who become infected. To prevent yourself and others from contracting this serious illness, we strongly urge you to receive the Tdap vaccine before coming to campus this fall.

. FLU: Student Health Services will be offering multiple flu vaccination clinics this fall. Flu shots are free to students with SHIP, and will be provided at low cost to students with other insurance. Watch our website for updates regarding flu-shot clinic dates:

http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/

*Clinical Services

New, Remodeled Facility and Medical Home - We are very excited to announce the fall opening of our newly remodeled building. The improvements will allow for greater patient privacy and will support our ability to provide you with a real "Medical Home"-complete with personalized care from your own primary care provider and group team. You will schedule visits by calling your primary care group directly, and will have access to prompt care by a skilled provider. The Student Health Services will be open from 8am-4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9am-4pm on Tuesday and Thursday this fall. Watch for expanded hours beginning winter quarter.

*Alcohol Risk Reduction: UC San Diego continues to participate in the initiatives of the Safer Universities Grant. This statewide initiative is designed to reduce the risks associated with drinking. Please take a few moments to read more about it and our educational campaign and efforts at:

http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/partysafer.shtml

With these efforts in mind, students are required to complete the e-CHUG survey before coming to campus:

https://interwork.sdsu.edu/echug2/?id=UCSD&hfs=true

Thank you for choosing UC San Diego. We look forward to helping you achieve your academic and personal goals by keeping you well.

Sincerely, Regina Fleming, MD, MSPH Director, UC San Diego Student Health Services