Administrative Information

Health Insurance & Fees

University of Pittsburgh’s Wellness Fee 

The Wellness Fee is mandatory for all full-time and part-time students at the Pittsburgh Campus and supports the following departments:

1. Student Health Services
   • Covers various services, programs, and activities provided by Student Health Services (e.g., annual flu vaccines, rapid HIV testing, dietitian visits, Stress Free Zone)
   • Does not pay for student health insurance and does not provide students with health insurance coverage
2. Campus Recreation
   • Access to facilities
   • Intramural and club sports programs, as well as recreation and fitness programs, services, and activities
3. Care and Resource Support
4. University Counseling Center

Health Insurance 

Student Health Services bills insurance for services rendered. 

Please upload your insurance card through Student Health’s Patient Portal or present your medical insurance card in-person prior to your scheduled appointment (or anytime during normal business hours). 

Purchasing Health Insurance

Students are encouraged to have health insurance to protect themselves against unexpected, unforeseen medical expenses. 

All graduate and professional students, and full-time undergraduate students, and their dependents, are eligible for student health coverage through the University of Pittsburgh. 

Should you not have health insurance, you can contact the University’s Benefits Office at (833)852-2210, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

For further information about the UPMC Health Plan, call 1-888-499-6885, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

For further information, please visit the Office of Human Resources' Medical Coverage for Students.

International Students 

International students are required to attest to having other medical insurance coverage or enroll in a University-sponsored program. 

For further information, please visit the Office of Human Resources' Medical Coverage for Students.

Fees

Students are responsible for payment of the following titers and vaccines, which are not billed to insurance:

Medical Records

Confidentiality 

We maintain patient records as mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Pennsylvania State Law.

No member of the University’s staff, other than members of the staff directly involved in the care of the patient, is entitled to information from any patient record without the student’s written consent or a court-ordered subpoena.

No parent of an adult patient (aged 18 years and older) or of an emancipated minor (a person who is under the age of 18 and a graduate of high school, married or has been married, and/or pregnant or has been pregnant) is entitled to receive confidential information about a patient unless the patient gives written consent. 

Exceptions 

Other than members of the staff directly involved in the care of the patient, no one may read or receive a copy of any part of the patient’s record with the following exceptions:

• With written consent of the patient (or his/her parent or guardian if they are a minor and not emancipated), a copy of part or all of a medical record may be sent to an outside physician, medical facility, or other institution. Verbal permission may be obtained with witness verification.
• With written consent of the patient (or their parent or guardian if he/she is a minor and not emancipated), copies of pertinent records may be provided to attorneys, investigating agencies, or copying services.
• Cases in which legal statutes require reports to be made, for example, reporting of communicable diseases. 

Patient Rights

As a patient of our Student Health Services, you are entitled to the following rights:

• To be informed of any research aspect of your care and the right to refuse to participate.   Such refusal will not jeopardize your access to medical care and treatment.
• To know who is counseling, caring for, and/or treating you. The physician’s name and professional qualifications should be visible or stated upon introduction.
• To change providers upon request and/or seek a second opinion.
• To refuse medical treatment, except as prohibited by law, and to be completely informed of the consequences of making this decision.
• To receive information regarding the scope and availability of services.
• To receive information regarding fees for services, particularly notification as to what may involve additional charges.
• To receive quality healthcare.
• To obtain an explanation of your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms you can understand.
• To receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any treatment.
• To have appropriate privacy.
• To have the confidentiality of your records protected and, except when required by law, to be given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release.
• To be treated with respect, dignity, consideration, and without discrimination. 

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient of the Student Health Services, you are expected to conform to the following responsibilities:

• Cover costs incurred.
• Bring forward suggestions or grievances about the Student Health Services. This responsibility includes the right to receive a personal response and an assurance of continuing access to care.
• Cooperate with all Student Health Services personnel caring for you, and ask questions if you do not understand any information given to you.
• Be respectful and considerate of other patients and the Student Health Services staff.
• Maintain a “Healthy U.”
• Provide accurate and complete information about current and past illnesses, medications, and other matters pertaining to your health.
• Follow the treatment plan recommended by your provider.
• Arrive as scheduled for appointments, and cancel in advance any appointment you cannot keep.
• Become informed of the scope of basic services offered, the associated costs, and the importance of medical insurance, and to actively seek clarification of any aspect of the services and programs (including cost) of the Student Health Services that you do not understand. 

HIPAA Privacy Notice

View or print our HIPAA Privacy Notice. 

Patient Record Access

Please refer to the University of Pittsburgh’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

Request for Medical Records Release

A patient may receive a hard copy of their medical record or may have a copy forwarded to their healthcare provider. 

To request medical records, please call Student Health Services at (412) 383-1800 

Emotional Support Animals

See our Emotional Support Animal Policy. 

Advance Directive

 An Advance Healthcare Directive (or simply "advance directive") is a set of written instructions expressing your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are ever unable to make decisions for yourself. An advance directive typically includes a "Healthcare Power of Attorney" (where you name a person you trust as a “Healthcare Agent” who can make treatment decisions for you) and a “Living Will” (healthcare treatment instructions including your choices to start, continue, refuse, or stop care). This is an important step in planning ahead, even for young adults.

To learn more and/or execute an advance directive, visit: https://www.acbf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ACBA_PoALivingWill.pdf

Note that the link above pertains to creation of an advance directive that complies with Pennsylvania law. An advance directive executed out-of-state or under the law of another state will typically also be honored in Pennsylvania, except to the extent that it does not meet Pennsylvania's legal standards or directs actions that are not legally permitted in Pennsylvania. 
A completed advance directive can be submitted to Student Health Services in-person or uploaded via Student Health's Patient Portal.