Health & Counseling Services

Health & Counseling Services (HCS) provides professional and comprehensive medical care, mental health care, health education, and health promotion for a diverse community of students, faculty, staff and community.

We the HCS staff, have a commitment to provide the highest standards of quality care to meet your physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social health needs either by direct service or by referral.

We hope you will come to see Health & Counseling Services as a wellness center as well as a place to come when you are ill. Think of this as an opportunity to maintain your health and to increase your knowledge and awareness to prevent illnesses and injuries. Being in good health is of the utmost importance to maintaining good academic standing as well as quality of life. A healthy Lifestyle includes the following three components

• A Healthy Body - diet, exercise, rest, disease prevention
• A Healthy Mind - fun, exercise, relaxation, stress management
• A Healthy Environment - social supports, community involvement, personal safety

A lack of attention in any one area will affect your overall good health. As you will learn from our web site, we have many talented clinicians and health care professionals available to provide confidential services and support you in all three aspects of health.

We invite you to come in when you are healthy to get to know your personal staff. You will feel more comfortable because you know them and your health care will be better because they know you and your medical history. You may also want to stop by your counseling center for a one-on-one orientation to the variety of health education and outreach programs and materials available to you on campus. You may also check out your support groups to help you maintain a sensible balance of work and relaxation. Whether you already use a variety of strategies to achieve optimal health or are about to try something new, we are here to help.

Through these endeavors, we support the mission of Prairie View A&M University and contribute to the growth of each individual we serve.

Good health and a good education go hand in hand - take advantage of both while you are at Prairie View A&M University.

Health and Counseling Services

"Your Healthful Way to Better Living"

T.J. Pierre, Administrator

LINK TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS & CURRENT STUDENTS & GENERAL INFORMATION

Eligibility for Care

All students who have paid the Student Health Fee are eligible for care at Owens-Franklin Health Center during the semester for which the fee has been paid. Students must have a valid picture ID, to receive services at the student rate.

Individuals attending short-courses, conferences, or camps may be eligible for care, at an agreed fee, if prior arrangements have been made. Without prior arrangements, fees will be accessed at the prevailing non-student rate.

Eligibility for Care Between Semesters

Student Health Fee Paid

Students who paid the Student Health Fee and completed a semester or summer session is eligible for treatment as a student during the semester, until the end of the academic session (school term). Unless the student is enrolled in the next session and has paid the Student Health fee, his or her eligibility for treatment as a student terminates with the end of the current school term (last day of class/exams). Student eligibility begins on the first class day and terminates on the last day of class/exams.

Students who were not enrolled in the most recent semester, but are enrolled in the next school term, are eligible for treatment on a set fee basis. This charge is required because the next semester or summer session health fee does not take effect until the first class day of the new semester or summer session.

Exceptions

International students who are being processed for their first semester at Prairie View A&M University may arrive at the Health Center for required immunizations and testing for tuberculosis (TB) before their classes begin. In this circumstance, they will be treated as enrolled students and billed accordingly.

Students on INH will be seen between semesters only for continuation of medication. This exception is due to the concern for increased non-compliance for tuberculosis prevention.

Extended Coverage

Students who were enrolled in the previous semester and want to extend their coverage for a semester may pay a set fee to receive care for that semester. This service ends the first day of classes the next semester.

Summer Camps, Workshops, and Conferences

Individuals attending short-courses, conferences, or camps may be eligible for services if prior arrangements have been made.

The fee is based on a weekly rate and must be paid upfront.

For individuals under age 18, a parental consent must be presented before services are rendered. The individual will not be treated without a signed consent.

For summer camps, a counselor must accompany any camper presenting for care.

New Student Orientation Conferences

New students and their parents are eligible for care on a courtesy basis (no charge for the office visit) as a guest of the university during the students' orientation conference. This service covers acute illnesses and injuries; however, immunizations are not included.

Charges are assessed for x-ray, lab, injections and medical supplies.

LINK TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS & CURRENT STUDENTS

Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Health & Counseling Services staff adopts this Patient Bill of Rights in conjunction with our Motto: Your Healthful Way to Better Living is Your Knowledge - An informed patient is a healthy person.

Patient Rights

• You have the right to be treated with respect and kindness.
• You have the right to proper treatment for your health condition no matter what.
• You have the right to be told about your medical condition, treatment, and outlook in terms that you can understand.
• You have the right to make choices about your own care.
• You have the right to say no to care as allowed by law.
• You have the right to make an advance directive, including a living will and/or a power of attorney for health care.
• You have the right to privacy of your medical records and details about your care.
• You have the right to review your medical records with your clinician.
• You have the right to personal privacy.
• You have the right to safety while at OFHC
• You have the right to be free from all forms of abuse by HCS staff.
• You have the right to be told of business between your caregivers.
• You have the right to know that HCS will give you the best care it can.
• You have the right to receive a copy of your bill.
• You have the right to be told of how and to whom you may voice a complaint.

Patient Responsibilities

• You are responsible for letting HCS know about any medicines you are taking, your medical history and your present medical problems.
• You are responsible for providing a copy of your advance directive, if you have one.
• You are responsible for asking questions when you or your family do not understand what you have been told about your medical condition, your treatment, or what you should do to care for yourself.
• You are responsible for knowing and following HCS rules as explained to you by staff.
• You are responsible for following instructions, including your plan of care as developed by your health care team.
• You are responsible for accepting the consequences of not getting treatment or not following the instructions of your caregivers.
• You are responsible for paying your OFHC bill. This includes giving correct information about your insurance or your way for paying your bill.