Rice University: On-Campus Medical Care

Rice University provides on-campus health services for its students, offering preventive and outpatient clinical care. The on-campus health centre is located in the Morton L. Rich Health and Wellness Centre and is open during term time and summer. The centre is staffed by primary care physicians, nurses, and medical coordinators. However, Rice University does not have an on-campus hospital. In the case of emergencies, students are advised to dial the relevant emergency services number. For off-campus health care, there are many options in the area, including stand-alone ER clinics that can handle minor emergencies.

Rice University Student Health Services

The Rice Student Health Services clinic is staffed by four primary care physicians, four registered nurses, and two front office staff. The clinic offers a full spectrum of clinical care and preventive medical services, with an emphasis on prevention. However, it does not perform certain types of physical exams, such as lengthy or extensive examinations, and does not provide primary care for students with chronic medical needs. Students with significant continuing care needs will be referred to a physician in the Houston community.

Rice University requires all full-time graduate, business school, and undergraduate students to pay a student health fee, which covers the professional services at the Student Health clinic. While the clinic does not bill insurance companies, students are still responsible for understanding the details of their health insurance policy, as laboratory testing and radiology services are not included in the student health fee. Students with Aetna or Wellfleet insurance can access additional support through their respective 24-hour telephone triage lines.

In addition to physical health services, Rice University offers a range of mental health and counselling services through the Rice Counseling Center and the Wellbeing Center. These services include individual and group counselling, educational workshops, and crisis response. The Wellbeing Center also provides confidential counselling and case management services for students experiencing interpersonal violence, either as a victim or an accused perpetrator, through the SAFE Office.

On-campus healthcare services

Rice University offers on-campus healthcare services to its students through its Student Health Services. The on-campus healthcare centre is known as the Morton L. Rich Health and Wellness Center and is located next to the Brown Magister's House off Entrance 27b.

Student Health Services provides preventive and outpatient clinical care for Rice University students. The centre is staffed by four primary care physicians, four registered nurses, and two front office staff. The student health fee, which is mandatory for all full-time Rice students, covers the professional services offered at the Student Health clinic. However, it is important to note that Student Health does not bill insurance companies, and students cannot designate a Student Health physician as their primary care provider for insurance purposes. While the professional services do not incur additional costs for students, laboratory testing and radiology services do. Specimen collection for blood and urine tests is performed on-site, but for radiographic testing, such as X-rays, students are referred off-campus to a nearby radiology clinic and are expected to arrange their own transportation.

The Student Health Services also offers a range of other services, including STI testing and contraception consultations. Free condoms are provided in the waiting and exam rooms. For students with complex or chronic medical needs, they may be referred to a physician in the Houston community, particularly if they require extensive physical examinations or subspecialty services like orthopedic care.

For after-hours care, Rice University provides a 24-hour telephone triage line for students with Aetna Student Health Insurance. Additionally, an International Student Insurance Nurse Line is available through Wellfleet. Students are advised to understand their specific health insurance policies and carry their student ID and insurance card with them when seeking off-campus healthcare services.

Off-campus healthcare services

Rice University does not have an on-campus hospital. However, Rice Student Health Services provides preventive and outpatient clinical care for students. The clinic is located on campus and is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of undergraduate and graduate students, with an emphasis on prevention. All full-time Rice students are required to pay a student health fee, which covers the professional services provided at the clinic.

The clinic is staffed by four primary care physicians, four registered nurses, and two front office staff. Students can receive consultations with primary care physicians regarding contraception, and free condoms are available in the waiting and exam rooms. STI testing is also offered, with full reimbursement for those with Aetna student health insurance.

However, Rice Student Health does not provide primary care for students with chronic medical needs or extensive physical examination forms. In such cases, students are referred to off-campus healthcare services. For example, if a student requires radiographic testing, such as a chest x-ray, they will be referred to a nearby radiology clinic. Similarly, students in need of sub-specialty services, such as orthopedic care, will be referred to a nearby physician.

Students are responsible for understanding the details of their health insurance policy and verifying whether the off-campus physician they are referred to participates in their insurance program. Transportation to off-campus appointments is also the responsibility of the student, although they may arrange for a friend to drive them.

Rice University provides a list of off-campus healthcare resources in the area, including clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals. However, it is important to note that these off-campus healthcare providers do not have any contractual relationship with Rice University or the physicians at Student Health Services.

Rice Medical Center

Rice University does not have an on-campus hospital, but it does have a Student Health Services centre, which is located on campus in the Morton L. Rich Student Health and Wellness Center. This centre is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of undergraduate and graduate students, offering preventive and outpatient clinical care. The centre is staffed by four primary care physicians, four registered nurses, and two front office staff.

Student Health Insurance

Rice University does not have an on-campus hospital, but it does have a Student Health Services centre that provides outpatient clinical care services for students. The centre is staffed by four primary care physicians, four RNs, and two medical coordinators.

All full-time Rice students are required to pay a student health fee that covers the professional services at the Student Health clinic. However, laboratory testing and radiology services are not included in the student health fee and will be billed to the student or their insurance. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to off-site testing locations.

All registered, degree-seeking students at Rice University must maintain health insurance coverage. They can either enrol in the Rice Student Health Insurance Plan, administered by Aetna Student Health, or complete a waiver by demonstrating comparable insurance coverage. International students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to enrol in either the Aetna plan or Rice's approved Alternative Insurance Plan for International Students.

The Aetna plan includes access to an Aetna Nurse Health Hotline, and students can also call the Memorial Hermann Nurse Health Line for free. Students with Aetna student health insurance may receive full reimbursement for STI testing at Student Health once per school year. Additionally, immunizations and certain tests are eligible for reimbursement through Aetna and Wellfleet.

Frequently asked questions