International Students

Medical Care
Access to medical care is a major issue in the United States. There is no national health plan which covers all individuals. Unless you have health insurance, you will be unable to obtain many types of medical care without pre-payment of fees. The cost of health care is very high, and thus the University requires all international students on F or J visas to have adequate insurance as a condition of enrollment.

You have the right to know beforehand any cost for medical care, and should ask what the cost will be. If you have any questions about health insurance, etc., please ask one of the staff members of the Office of International Student & Scholar Services at 757-683-4756.

You may be referred to doctors or specialists off campus, who can treat you for your specific condition. This is a common practice in the United States.

You will be asked for a medical history before you are examined. The purpose of this is to obtain background information needed to treat you and to determine if there are any medications, etc., which should not be used. When asked to complete the history, be as exact and honest as possible, as these records will be used to determine your treatment. Medical records are private information, and cannot be released without your permission, unless required by law.

Student Health Services can treat you for many common health conditions. All students who have been charged the semester health fee are eligible for services at Student Health.  Full-time students are automatically charged the health fee.  Part-time students have the option of paying the health fee to receive services at Student Health.  Call (757) 683-3132 to make an appointment.