PrincetonUniversity A Guide for Graduate Students, 2002-2004
	Medical Information The University Health Services, located in the McCosh Health Center, provides primary health care for students and a Student Health Plan for hospital and related medical costs up to the plan maximums. The McCosh Health Center is open throughout the year and offers scheduled appointments with physicians and nurse practitioners; urgent care on a walk-in basis; inpatient services; X-ray and laboratory services; a counseling center; a sexual reproductive health service; allergy, immunization, and travel service; and a health education program. Physical therapy is available for a fee through University Health Services by referral to Dillon Gymnasium. In addition, the health center offers alcohol and drug education counseling, and counseling and education services for eating disorders. The SHARE (Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources, and Education) Program provides confidential counseling, advising, and educational programs. University Health Services aims to help students become self-sufficient in matters of personal care and health maintenance. The University clinicians encourage all students to consult the staff about health and medical problems or concerns. Students who require continuing care for problems they may have had before coming to the University should make an appointment with one of the University physicians. The health educator helps identify needs related to personal health and campus life and also sponsors programs in these areas. During the academic year, the first floor appointment and urgent care service is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except on Tuesday, when it is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. When the first floor is closed, students with emergency problems may be seen at the inpatient service on the second floor of the McCosh Health Center. The inpatient service on the second floor is open round-the-clock throughout the academic year, except during the summer and winter recesses. The inpatient service is equipped to treat illnesses and injuries and for postoperative care. Medical care, nursing care, and rooms are provided without additional charge. During the summer and winter recesses, the center is open for limited hours, Monday through Friday only. The inpatient service is closed. Patients with emergency problems may then seek medical care at the emergency room of the Medical Center at Princeton, the community's general hospital. For nonemergency problems, patients should wait for the health center to reopen. The Counseling Center, located in the west wing of the McCosh Health Center, offers psychological counseling on a short-term, time-limited basis for concerns ranging from general personal issues to more serious and disruptive conflicts. As with all matters pertaining to health care, issues discussed are considered strictly confidential. The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and has limited hours during the winter and summer recesses. In case of emergency after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends, students should go to or call the McCosh Health Center at 258-3139. Cost of Health Care. Students: The Princeton University Student Health program has two components-the on-campus, fully accredited primary care facility located at the McCosh Health Center and a Student Health Plan (SHP) that supplements on-campus services. Costs for the services provided at the center are included in the general University fee. Enrollment in the Student Health Plan (SHP) for off-campus medical care is mandatory for all graduate students. A brochure describing the SHP plan and benefits is available from the SHP office. The cost of the SHP is billed as a separate fee. Spouses and Family Coverage: Personal and financial responsibility for medical care for spouses and family members belongs to the student. Students should enroll their eligible dependents in the SHP Dependent Plan or a health plan that provides coverage comparable to the Princeton University SHP. New students who wish to purchase dependent coverage must complete an enrollment form by September 30. Continuing students must reenroll their dependents by September 30 of each year. Information on the annual cost for the SHP Dependent Plan may be obtained from the SHP office by calling (609)258-3138. Services at McCosh Health Center are included in the cost of SHP Dependent Plan for all eligible dependents age 12 and over. Dependents age 12 and over who are not enrolled in the SHP Dependent Plan may receive services at McCosh Health Center on a fee-for-service basis. For a more detailed explanation of the health services and the current benefit levels of the Student Health Plan, contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs in the Graduate School or the SHP coordinator at University Health Services. Students are reminded that neither the University, the Medical Center at Princeton, nor the community at large has funds ordinarily available with which to help them meet the cost of medical care for their dependents. Thus, eligible dependents should be enrolled in a health plan as explained above. On occasion, and particularly where the student has made reasonable provision for medical care but costs have exceeded the reasonable provisions, loans may be obtained through the Graduate School office in 202 Nassau Hall.
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